QSaltLake Magazine - November 20, 2008 by QSaltLake Magazine

In This Issue

ISSUE 116 • November 20, 2008

Cover

Newest Gay Activist – Jacob Whipple. 18

News

World. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Quips & Quotes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Local. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Qmmunity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Holiday Shopping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Views

Letters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guest Editorials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Snaps & Slaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Queer Gnosis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ruth Hackford-Peer. . . . . . . . . . . . . Bullshattuck. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ruby Ridge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

20 21 23 22 23 26 27

Staff Box publisher/editor

Voted Best in Utah Since 1989

Michael Aaron assistant editor

The Gay Agenda. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Save the Date. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Q Bar Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crossword Puzzle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cryptogram. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sudoku. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Horoscope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anagram. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jacin Tales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Classifieds

Real Estate, Jobs, Personals. . . . . . Service Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Puzzle Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Back Page. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tony Hobday

to subscribe:

basic subscription rate is $26.95 per year, $14.95 per six months. international rate is us$99 per year. call 801-649-6663 or 1-800-806-5232

QSaltLake is a trademark of salt lick publishing, llc.

contributors

Lynn Beltran Joseph Dewey Ruth Hackford-Peer Ruby Ridge ryan shattuck troy williams rex wockner contributing photographers

Brian Gordon Charles

sales manager

Brad Di Iorio office manager

Tony Hobday distribution

Brad Di Iorio Manuel Hernandez Gary Horenkamp David Hurst

Copyright © 2008, Salt Lick Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted or reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Copies of QSaltLake are distributed free of charge in 200 locations across Utah and in Idaho and Nevada. Free copies are limited to one per person. For additional copies, contact us at 801-649-6663. It is a crime to destroy, throw away current issues or otherwise interfere with the distribution of this newsmagazine. Publication of the name or photograph of any individual or organization in articles or advertising in QSaltLake is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons. Printed in the U.S.A. QSALTLAKE.COM MYSPACE.COM/QSALTLAKE

publisher

Salt Lick Publishing, LLC 1055 East 2100 South, ste 206 Salt Lake City, Utah 84106

801-596-2322

1616 So. 1100 E. SLC, UT 84105 Delivery Available

45 47 44 48

please send change of addresses to 1055 E 2100 S Ste 205 SLC UT 84106

arts editor

TWIGS FLOWER CO.

30 30 35 40 40 35 38 41 35 46

postmaster:

JoSelle Vanderhooft

David Daniels Laurie Kaufman

A&E

tel: 801-649-6663 toll-free: 1-800-806-7357 for general information:

info@qsaltlake.com for editorial queries:

editor@qsaltlake.com

2 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 116 | Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8

Sing We Now OF

Christmas

( A ND T HE R EST OF T HE SE A SON, TOO) FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14

DECEMBER 12 & 13

5:00PM

7:30PM

ST. LUKEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

EPISCOPAL CHURCH

SALT L AKE CIT Y

PARK CIT Y $10 GENERAL ADMISSION

T I C K E T S AVA I L A B L E AT S A LT L A K E M E N S C H O I R . O R G O R B Y C A L L I N G B R O W N PA P E R T I C K E T S 1 - 8 0 0 - 8 3 8 - 3 0 0 6 P L E A S E B R I N G A N O N - P E R I S H A B L E F O O D I T E M F O R T H E U TA H A I D S F O U N DAT I O N F O O D B A N K

From the Editor Silver Lining? by Michael Aaron M O R T G A G E

A D V I S O R

801.554.4723 Aaron_Butler@countrywide.com

T HE B UTLER

Y OUR S ERVICE

HOME LOANS

1 4 4 0 F O O T H I L L D R , S U I T E 2 0 0 • S A LT L A K E C I T Y, U T 8 4 1 0 8

ONSTRUCTION

• CO N D O S • F H A • IN V E S T M E N T • P U R C H A S E • RE F I

wo weeks is a very long

time for a newspaper to have to wait to deliver election coverage to our readers. We hit “Send” on the last issue as votes were being tabulated and as Barack Obama was addressing a massive crowd in his home state. Yes, I cried. You may be able to feel that we are a bit heavier than normal and a slightly different shape. With all that was going on locally, we needed to add eight more pages to hold all the stories — and all of them were important to tell. You might also notice a smidgeon more color. Yes, we finally found a solution to a problem that was holding us back from growing. Our previous press could only print 40 pages in a single

run with only 16 pages in color. Our new press can print as many pages as we want to throw at them, and most of them can be color. Champagne was uncorked in the new, fancy QSaltLake suite. (Yes, in the midst of all this we were up until 3:00 a.m. painting walls, stringing ethernet cables through the ceiling, and schlepping boxes and furniture.) With the passage of Proposition 8 and, to a small degree, the reelection of Sen. Chris Buttars, we can all feel a new level of intensity growing in our community. New people are stepping up. A new day has come for this community and by all appearances this community is ready for it. And so are we. Q

4 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 116 | Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8

WENDOVER

WILL

WELCOMING DIVERSITY TO WEST WENDOVER FOR OVER 55 YEARS

Gaming • Dining • Golf • Recreation • Top Name Entertainment Historic Sites • Bonneville Salt Flats and More! Come Enjoy Top Name Entertainment at the New Peppermill Concert Hall Just 90 minutes west from Salt Lake City on I-80

866-299-2489 westwendovercity.com For Horseback & ATV Tours Contact:

INTERMOUNTAIN GUIDE SERVICE intermountainguidenevada.com or 877.882.4386

AY & G S ’ H A T U

I R E C TO D N A I B S LE

n a i b s e L d n a e y m a o G c l s ’ e h W e r A y Tell Uta e h T y s t i s n e u n i m s u m B pages f Co w o o l l e e y c a l bian P s r e l u d n o a Y At to Utah’s only gay the Community

EQPAGES H T • E E FR

.COM

, FOR Get in y t i n u m m BY the Coy! 801-649-6663 E and Call todae to a RESPONSIV nity u Advertis m m o C TIVE A I C E R P AP

theqpages.com theqpage g s.com ge Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8 | issue 116 | QSa lt L a k e | 5

DC9T

Q World

BY REX WOCKNER

“I am ashamed this day to be called Mormon.”

Will & Grace Creator Marries Max Mutchnick, a creator and executive producer of TV’s Will & Grace, married Erik Hyman. a lawyer, on Oct. 25 in Beverly Hills. “We wanted to be a part of the wave of same-sex couples getting married before the election,” Mutchnick told The New York Times. The couple have been together for two years. They moved in together a week after meeting and have never spent a night apart since. Mutchnick told The Times that Hyman is the most intelligent and confident man he’s ever met, and the only one he’s met who can withstand his insecurities and histrionics. Hyman said he fell hard for Mutchnick’s passion, charm and humor. The couple have two daughters who were born to a surrogate. California voters ended same-sex marriage in the state Nov. 4, amending the state constitution to say, “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” Gay groups have filed suit to block the amendment from taking effect. At press time, the state Supreme Court had not ruled on the case, and county officials had stopped issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Father, Son Marry Partners in Palm Springs Double Wedding Charles Robbins, executive director of The Trevor Project, the national suicide-prevention helpline for gay youth, and Damon Romine, director of entertainment media at the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, were married Nov. 2 in Palm Springs in a double ceremony that also saw Romine’s father, David, marry his partner, Larry Barrett. Robbins, 46, and Damon Romine, 42, have been together for nine years and Barrett and David Romine have been together for 16 years. It was believed to be California’s first same-sex double wedding ceremony shared by a father and son. Same-sex marriage became legal in California on June 16, following a Supreme Court ruling, and became illegal again on Nov. 4, following passage of a ballot initiative that amended the state constitution to negate the ruling.

Quips & Quotes —Ron McCormick, resident of Salt Lake City, decrying the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ involvement in Proposition 8 in the Salt Lake Tribune’s letter pages.

“The bitterness of the protesters against California’s Proposition 8 is sad and makes me reflect on how little interested they are in anyone’s position but their own.”

Thousands march on Washington, D.C. for marriage equality following the passage of California’s Prop. 8.

Gays Lose Marriage in California Gays lost marriage at the ballot box in California Nov. 4. Voters voted 52.4 percent to 47.6 percent to amend the state constitution to negate the May 2008 state Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage. Theories abound as to why Proposition 8 passed, even though the polls showed it would lose. Was it because the gay side’s wellfunded TV ads were so bad and the other side’s well-funded TV ads were so effective? Was it because blacks turned out in large numbers to vote for Barack Obama and 70 percent of them voted for Prop 8? Was it the Catholics who got fired up two days earlier by priests preaching from the pulpits? Polling showed that only 44 percent of Catholics supported Prop 8, but 64 percent of them ended up voting for it. Was it because people lie to pollsters if telling the truth would make them seem like bigots? And what happens now? Are the 18,000 same-sex couples that have married in California still married? No one knows. Though state Attorney General Jerry Brown has opined that Prop 8 is not retroactive. The California Constitution now states, “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” Does that make the California Constitution in conflict with itself, given that the state Supreme Court found that the constitution contains a fundamental right to same-sex marriage? Lawyers for the gay side filed suit in the state Supreme Court on Nov. 5 seeking to stop Prop 8 from taking effect. They said Prop 8 is more than an

6 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 116 | Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8

amendment to the constitution. It is, they said, a revision that fundamentally alters the guarantee of equal protection. Constitutional revisions require a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to reach the ballot. Prop 8 got there by activists’ collecting signatures on petitions. “Proposition 8 is invalid because the initiative process was improperly used in an attempt to undo the constitution’s core commitment to equality for everyone by eliminating a fundamental right from just one group — lesbian and gay Californians,” said the American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal and the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “Proposition 8 also improperly attempts to prevent the courts from exercising their essential constitutional role of protecting the equal protection rights of minorities,” the groups said. “According to the California Constitution, such radical changes to the organizing principles of state government cannot be made by simple majority vote through the initiative process, but instead must, at a minimum, go through the state legislature first.” Legal experts said these arguments have merit but may be a long shot. So, for the time being, if you want to marry someone of the same sex in the United States, you must head for Massachusetts or Connecticut. Same-sex marriage is expected to become possible in Connecticut when a Superior Court judge enters final judgment in a case that was decided by the state Supreme Court. Massachusetts has let same-sex couples marry since 2004 when the Supreme Judicial Court struck down a law that limited marriage to oppositesex couples.

—Pat Barton, West Valley City resident, criticizing anti-Proposition 8 demonstrators in the Tribune.

“Hi! We’re from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We’re here to take away your rights.” —Actors portraying LDS missionaries who storm a lesbian couple’s house in Home Invasion, a controversial anti-Prop 8 video produced by the Courage Campaign.

“While those who disagree with our position on Proposition 8 have the right to make their feelings known, it is wrong to target the Church and its sacred places of worship for being part of the democratic process.” —The LDS Church’s official statement on the Nov. 7 protest of its headquarters by Prop. 8 opponents.

“Anti-8 protesters did, in fact, stop outside the Church Office Building for several minutes each time they circled the area. … the HQ building is a legitimate symbol of protest. The marchers I witnessed and the dozens I spoke with had no intention of singling out the temple, and for the church P.R. staff to paint the protest that way is simply a lie.” —Salt Lake City Weekly editor Holly Mullen writing about the protest in the newspaper’s blog.

“The more I read and hear and listen the more it feels as if something is shifting in the gay community since the passage of Prop. 8.” —Gay blogger Andrew Sullivan writing on his blog, The Daily Dish.

Three Lawsuits Filed Against Prop 8 Three lawsuits have been filed to thwart California’s Proposition 8, which stripped the rights of gay and lesbian couples to marry in the state. The American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal and the National Center for Lesbian Rights filed a writ petition before the California Supreme Court the day after the Nov. 4 election urging the court to invalidate Prop. 8. The petition charges that the proposition is invalid because the initiative process was improperly used in an attempt to undo the constitution’s core commitment to equality for everyone by eliminating a fundamental right from just one group — lesbian and gay Californians. They say Prop. 8 also improperly attempts to prevent the courts from exercising their essential constitutional role of protecting the equal protection rights of minorities. “According to the California Constitution, such radical changes to the organizing principles of state government cannot be made by simple majority vote through the

initiative process, but instead must, at a minimum, go through the state legislature first,” the group said in a statement. “The California Constitution itself sets out two ways to alter the document that sets the most basic rules about how state government works. Through the initiative process, voters can make relatively small changes to the constitution. But any measure that would change the underlying principles of the constitution must first be approved by the legislature before being submitted to the voters. That didn’t happen with Proposition 8, and that’s why it’s invalid,” the statement continued. “If the voters approved an initiative that took the right to free speech away from women, but not from men, everyone would agree that such a measure conflicts with the basic ideals of equality enshrined in our constitution. Proposition 8 suffers from the same flaw — it removes a protected constitutional right — here, the right to marry — not from all Californians, but just from one

group of us,” said Jenny Pizer, senior counsel with Lambda Legal. “That’s too big a change in the principles of our constitution to be made just by a bare majority of voters.” “A major purpose of the constitution is to protect minorities from majorities. Because changing that principle is a fundamental change to the organizing principles of the constitution itself, only the legislature can initiate such revisions to the constitution,” added Elizabeth Gill, a staff attorney with the ACLU of Northern California. The lawsuit was filed Nov. 5 in the California Supreme Court on behalf of Equality California and six samesex couples who did not marry before Tuesday’s election but would like to be able to marry now. The groups filed a writ petition in the California Supreme Court before the elections presenting similar arguments because they believed the initiative should not have appeared on the ballot, but the court dismissed that petition without addressing its merits. That earlier order is not precedent here. “Historically, courts are reluctant to get involved in disputes if they can avoid doing so,” said Shannon Minter, legal director of NCLR. “It is not uncommon for the court to wait to

see what happens at the polls before considering these legal arguments. However, now that Prop. 8 may pass, the courts will have to weigh in and we believe they will agree that Prop 8 should never have been on the ballot in the first place.” This would not be the first time the court has struck down an improper voter initiative. In 1990, the court struck down an initiative that would have added a provision to the California Constitution stating that the “Constitution shall not be construed by the courts to afford greater rights to criminal defendants than those afforded by the Constitution of the United States.” That measure was invalid because it improperly attempted to strip California’s courts of their role as independent interpreters of the state’s constitution. On Nov. 12, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to join the City and County of San Francisco, County of Santa Clara and City of Los Angeles in another lawsuit filed against the proposition. Robin Tyler and Diane Olson, the couple who filed the lawsuit that was decided in May and the first lesbian couple to be legally married in Los Angeles County, also plan a lawsuit against the proposition.

Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8 | issue 116 | QSa lt L a k e | 7

Q Utah Thousands Protest Prop. 8 in Salt Lake by JoSelle Vanderhooft

It took several months for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a number of other religious and political groups to raise millions of dollars in support of a successful constitutional amendment seeking to ban gay marriage in California. It took Utah resident Jacob Whipple just 36 hours to put together a protest of Proposition 8 that drew thousands of protesters and all of Salt Lake City’s major news outlets to the LDS Church headquarters on the evening of Nov. 7. “I saw momentum started in California and I didn’t want it to end,” said Whipple, a gay man and former Mormon who served a mission in Rally organizer Jacob Whipple ad- Argentina. dresses the crowd. “I wanted PHOTO: BRIAN GORDON to show we can continue the civil rights movement in a peaceful way and earn the civil rights denied us.” Although announcements for the protest appeared in newspapers, on the Web pages of news stations and local gay rights groups such as Equality Utah, Whipple largely dispersed his call through emails, text messages and phone calls, which local gays and allied straights quickly passed along (for example, QSaltLake publisher and editor-in-chief Michael Aaron received more than 40 such text messages on the day of the protest). By 6:00 p.m. protesters of all ages, races and sexes had packed City Creek Park, waving colorful signs and chanting such slogans as “tax the church” — a call for the federal government to revoke the LDS church’s tax exempt status for involving itself in a political campaign. Before the sea of protesters began

Evening commuters on State and North Temple streets found themselves unable to move when thousands of same-sex marriage proponents flooded the area around the LDS Church Office Building and the Salt Lake Temple. PHOTO: BRIAN GORDON Next, former Salt Lake City mayor Biskupski encouraged protesters to their march around Temple Square, reach out to their LDS friends, family several speakers addressed the crowd Rocky Anderson took the stage. A Utahn who grew up in the Mormon and colleagues to show “who we are from a makeshift stage at the park’s church, Anderson (who is straight) and why we should be treated equaleastern border. issued an executive order in 2005 that ly.” She added that she had every “We are the queer children of god allowed the same-sex partners of city hope that Proposition 8 and similar and we have gathered tonight to employees access to the city health amendments that passed in Arizona change the world,” proclaimed Troy benefits program. Drawing compariand Florida would soon be history. Williams, the producer of KRCL’s sons to the prior struggles of interra“To be surrounded by this amount progressive radio show RadioActive cial couples to marry, Anderson called of courage, and I would say dedicaand columnist for QSaltLake. the church’s support of Proposition tion, there is no way we’ll see these A former Mormon, Williams called 8 “a repeat of a tragic and deplorable laws in place for long,” she said. upon gay and transgender people to history.” “What we know and have seen is pursue their Constitutional rights to Two more gay legislators, Sen. America can change. That is the true life, liberty and the pursuit of happiScott McCoy, D-Salt Lake City, and genius of this nation.” ness. Rep. Jackie Biskupski, D-Salt Lake The Salt Lake City Police Depart“Mr. Monson, the LDS Church is ment closed North Temple between on notice,” said Williams, referring to City, also addressed the swelling crowd. McCoy urged protesters to Main Street and West Temple to Thomas Monson, the current church not let their anger “turn into hate,” accommodate the surge of protespresident. “We will no longer be and referred to the LDS church (the tors, which stretched at one point shamed and silenced.” headquarters of which are located in around the two blocks encompassing As Williams’ speech became more impassioned, touching upon what Wil- his senate district) as his constituents Temple Square and the LDS church headquarters. While Whipple’s goal liams called the LDS church’s “embar- — with whom he doesn’t agree on the was to bring 1,000 people out onto the rassment” over its history of support- issue of gay marriage. He also promised to help the Mormon-dominated street, Salt Lake City Police Departing polygamy and what he sees as its legislature understand “that in the ment spokeswoman Lara Jones said hypocrisy in continuing to seal multiple women to a single man in temple same breath you can’t say you accept marriages, some of the other speakers us and then turn around and fund a campaign to strip us of our rights in became visibly uncomfortable. “I don’t want hurt feelings on either California.” Like the others before her, side,” Whipple said, taking the microphone after Williams’ speech. “I know we’re hurting, but driving nails into it won’t solve anything.” He then urged the crowd to be civil and respectful to the church and to “follow in the path of Martin Luther King, not Malcolm X.” “We might disagree, but we can disagree without being disagreeable,” echoed Rep. Christine Johnson, D-Salt Lake City. An openly-lesbian representative who authored a bill seeking to make workplace discrimination against gays and transgender people illegal, Johnson asked protestors to cheer the many LDS people who disagree with their church’s anti-gay marriage stance. She also encouraged gay and transgender people to be out to their Mormon friends, family, neighbors and co-workers. “I don’t think it’s Mormonism that’s hurting us, but lack of understandRep. Jackie Biskupski tells the crowd of their courA protester offers letters to remove LDS church ing,” she said. age. PHOTO: BRIAN GORDON members from the church’s rolls. PHOTO: BRIAN GORDON

8 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 116 | Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8

that particular goal had been “clearly exceeded.” While noting that the police department does not and cannot do an official count at such gatherings, Jones nevertheless said that some experienced officers had estimated the number of protestors being between 2,000 and 5,000. Matthew Kulisch was one of those numbers. Kulisch was one of four gay former Mormons who participated in the 2007 Equality Ride, gay spirituality group Soulforce’s much-publicized bus tour to sponsor dialogue at schools with anti-gay policies. At the protest he carried a sign reading “Reply from ‘The One,’” a reference to “To The One,” a notorious LDS pamphlet on homosexuality written by Elder Boyd K. Packer, which Kulisch called the church’s most damaging publication on the subject. “In it he essentially says that the root of homosexuality is selfishness,” Kulisch explained. “To reference Jesus’ parallel as a shepherd looking out for his sheep, he’s asking what kind of steward the church will be,” Kulisch continued. “If Proposition 8 is the church’s response [to that question], then I’m very disappointed.” Josette Vermillion expressed disap-

pointment that the Utah-based LDS church sought to involve itself in another state’s politics. “I don’t think the LDS church should’ve stuck their nose in California’s business,” she said. “They already own a state.” Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people weren’t the only ones taking to the streets to express their disgust. Near the church’s headquarters Jeremy Matthews kissed his girlfriend (and domestic partner) Janine Parker as he held up a sign. “To me it’s a simple matter of equality,” said Matthews, who will not wed Parker until gay marriage is legal. “You didn’t have to be black to be part of the civil rights movement, and you don’t have to be gay to be involved in marriage equality.” Walking hand-in-hand with her bisexual friend Tracey Thomas, Marci Woodward agreed. Like many at the protest, Woodward filed a complaint against the Mormon church with the IRS, saying that the church had violated its tax exempt status by involving itself in the ‘Yes on 8’ campaign. Noting a group of protesters chanting President-elect Barack Obama’s campaign slogan “Yes we can!” Thomas also noted that Obama’s victory in the polls may have contributed

Photos on this page by Brian Gordon. More photos available at bgordonphoto.com

to the rally’s size. “After the election I think many of us are truly energized,” she said. “The fact we’re in the streets [shows that]. Oh, God, I love that. We should have been in the streets long before.” She also marveled at how quickly the gay rights movement had grown. “Twenty years ago we wouldn’t be having this conversation [about gay marriage],” she said. “Hopefully 20 years from now we won’t,” Woodward added. But not everyone at Temple Square was there to protest Proposition 8. A small but vocal group of counter protestors assembled on the City Creek Park’s southwestern corner and near the Temple’s north gate. Waving signs reading “Marriage Between A Man and A Woman” and “Not About Equal Rights But Tradition” these counter protestors exchanged heated words with Proposition 8 opponents. “You will never be a man and a woman!” one woman shouted through a bullhorn. “You’re sexist, you’re racist, and you’re homophobic!” the crowd chanted back. Kevin Goms, an LDS man and a former California resident, stood on the sidewalk next to his wife and quietly held a sign. “We believe marriage is between a man and a woman and only a man and a woman,” he said. “But we’re out here to show [the protesters] that we love them. We don’t hate them, but we don’t approve of what they do.” Although both sides exchanged a few heated words, police kept protesters from coming to blows. And as of 7:54 p.m. Jones said police had not received any incident reports and had made no arrests. “As far as we’re aware this is a pretty peaceful protest,” she said. Although church offices were lit up, only a handful of employees could be seen observing the protest below. Din-

ers and visitors inside the nearby Joseph Smith Memorial Building (also located on Temple Square) regarded passing protesters with stiff smiles, or with cheerful waves in return. Shortly before the protest, the LDS church released the following statement, which read in part: “It is disturbing that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is being singled out for speaking up as part of its democratic right in a free election.” “While those who disagree with our position on Proposition 8 have the

right to make their feelings known, it is wrong to target the Church and its sacred places of worship for being part of the democratic process. “The church also called on individuals on both sides to behave “in a spirit of mutual respect and civility towards each other.” Whipple specifically planned the protest for Nov. 7 to coincide with similar protests in California. These included demonstrations at the LDS temple in Westwood and a massive protest in Los Angeles the day before. A protest in San Diego was also planned for the evening of Nov. 8. Q

Signs of the Times Marchers in Salt Lake City’s thousands-strong anti-Proposition 8 rally carried gay pride flags, rode tall bicycles and even taped their mouths shut to symbolize the silencing of gays and lesbians seeking equal marriage rights. They also carried a sea of signs. Here are some of our favorites:

Keep Your Doctrine Out of My Covenants If I Can’t Marry a Guy, Can I Marry Your Daughter? Gay People are Not Evil (made and carried by a child) We are Straight and We Don’t Hate! Equality for Everyone!

Read My Lips: No More Mrs. Nice Gay! Jesus Makes Rainbows, Not Hate! I Didn’t Vote on Your Marriage Mormons Once Persecuted ... Now Persecutors Taxed But Not Represented

Gay Is the New Black Come Ye Saints to the Right Side of History I Only Want One Wife (a sticker seen on several T-shirts) Whose Rights Would Jesus Deny? “Did you cast a ballot or a stone?” “Love not H8”

Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8 | issue 116 | QSa lt L a k e | 9

Q Utah Equality Utah ‘Takes the LDS Church at Their Word,’ Writes Five Bills by Michael Aaron

Taking advantage of momentum following the passage of California’s Proposition 8, Equality Utah called a press conference for Monday, Nov. 10 at noon in its offices. “Over this recent election cycle, there has been much emotion around California’s Proposition 8 — emotion on both sides of the issue — and these emotions have been especially high here in Utah, home of the LDS Church, which played a visible and active role in the ‘Yes on 8’ campaign,” said Equality Utah Board Chair Stephanie Pappas. “While we disagree with the LDS Church’s position on Proposition 8, we respect that their position is based on the guiding principles of their faith. Throughout the campaign, while the LDS Church stated its support of Proposition 8, it also made repeated comments that the Church ‘does not object to rights for same-sex couples regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights.’ Just last week, Elder L. Whitney Clayton stated the LDS Church does not oppose ‘civil unions or domestic partnerships,’” Pappas continued. In response, Equality Utah has drafted five bills for the upcoming legislative session in January, and the group is “taking the LDS Church at its word” that they will support the legislation. Will Carlson, Equality Utah Manager of Public Policy, spelled out the five bills:

Mike Thompson, Stephanie Pappas, Will Carlson, Sen. Scott McCoy and Keri Jones address reporters at a press conference calling on LDS leaders to live up to recent statements on gay marriage. PHOTO: MICHAEL AARON to inheritance and insurance. As part of this effort, we will continue to support Senator Scott McCoy’s Wrongful Death Amendments legislation. 4. Domestic Partner Rights & Responsibilities Act The term “marriage” has proven to stir up many conflicts. Aside from marriage, we can do much more to help committed couples care for each other. This bill creates a statewide domestic partner registry as exists in California and attaches rights of inheritance, insurance and fair housing. 5. Repeal of part 2 of Utah’s Amendment 3 A registry that covers inheritance, housing, and insurance is not the legal equivalent of marriage. Yet the second part of Amendment 3 has been misinterpreted to avoid any recognition of gay couples. Laws that deny basic protections under the law should be repealed. This bill will repeal the portion of Amendment 3 which states “no other domestic union; however, denominated, may be recognized as marriage or be given the same or substantially equivalent legal effect.”

“We are taking the LDS Church at its word regarding these basic protections and we hope to gain their support as we work to secure these rights and responsibilities,” Carlson said. “While our position on marriage equality may differ from the LDS Church’s position, I believe we share the desire to provide protections for gay and transgender Utahns — pro2. Fair Housing & Employment tections that do not compromise the Currently, it is legal to fire a person Church’s position on, and definition from her job or evict a person from his of, marriage,” said Equality Utah home just for being gay or transgender. Executive Director Mike Thompson. The Fair Housing and Workplace bill “Proposition 8 has created a great will expand on HB 89, introduced by divide. Now is the time to look for opRepresentative Christine Johnson portunities to bridge that divide and in the 2008 session. It will add sexual create the needed protections, rights orientation and gender identity to the and responsibilities for Utah’s gay and list of characteristics employers and transgender people. This will be Equallandlords may not consider when mak- ity Utah’s focus and we ask the LDS ing employment or housing decisions. Church to support these efforts.” Thompson also asked seven ques3. Probate Rights – Wrongful Death tions of church leaders: Amendments 1. The LDS Church has stated that The death of a loved one is painful. When someone dies, we can protect the family’s it does not oppose same-sex couples financial security by removing barriers receiving such rights as “hospitaliza10 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 116 | Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8 1. Hospitalization & Medical Care Most gay people with insurance cannot insure their family. This bill will mandate that insurance plans, which extend benefits to an employee’s spouse, also cover an employee’s partner. When insurance plans cover families, they should cover every family member.

tion and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights.” Will the LDS Church be willing to support efforts to secure these rights? 2. Is the LDS Church willing to assign a member of its Presidency of the Seventy to lead Church efforts to secure these rights, just as it did with Proposition 8? 3. As it did in California, will the First Presidency draft a letter to Utah Latter-day Saints in support of rights and protections for gay couples? 4. As it did in California, will the First Presidency ask for this letter to be read to all Utah congregations on a specified date? 5. Will the First Presidency ask that all members of the LDS Church do all they can do, including “donating their means and their time,” to assure that gay couples receive such rights as hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights” — just as it asked its members to do in support of California’s Proposition 8? 6. Will local Church leaders provide information to its members about how to get involved in supporting such rights, just as it did in California? 7. Finally, we ask members of the LDS Church, will you ask your church leaders to support these efforts? “As the Church called for collaboration to achieve a better society, we hope there will be a demonstration of these convictions. Regardless of one’s position on marriage equality or beliefs around sexual orientation and gender identity, rights and responsibilities are needed for gay and transgender people and their families,” Thompson finished. “We agree with the LDS Church, we can achieve a better society ... if we work together. We hope the LDS Church will respond with a resounding yes and demonstrate its true convictions on these issues.” On Sunday, Nov. 9, Equality Utah gathered dozens of gay activists and non-gay allies to announce their intentions. Ranging from leaders of Log Cabin Republicans to Utah Stonewall Democrats, rally organizer Jacob Whipple to radio producer Troy Williams, the consensus in the room seemed to be a consensus of agreement

that the bills were the logical next step. Sen. Scott McCoy told reporters that he had a conversation with a representative of the LDS Church about the press conference and “looks forward to continuing the dialogue to find areas where we can come together on.” Asked whether Utah would be taking a step backward if the second part of Amendment 3 were to be reconsidered, McCoy said, “This is not a step backward; this is a step forward, clearly.” “There was a lot of discussion and a lot of concerns about the second part of Amendment 3,” McCoy continued. “I don’t think continuing dialogue is necessarily a bad thing.” Rep. Christine Johnson, who last year sponsored House Bill 89 Anitdiscrimination Act Amendments, which will be retooled to be the Fair Workplace and Housing Act, said, “I, for one, am very excited. My family members are excited as well. I’m delighted and very excited to move that forward to include fair housing. As a real estate agent, I was bewildered that we didn’t include fair housing originally.” “Not all members of the conservative side of the legislature are immediately closing the door to this idea,” Johnson continued. “We had very candid conversations behind closed doors where they could ask questions that they might not feel comfortable asking in committee. This is an opportunity to educate the community and our colleagues and it is something we look forward to doing.” Rep. Jenn Seelig said she had “several conversations with neighbors about their pain about what was going on in California.” “The question was, how can they be true to their faith and also be true to their family members who they love,” she said. One reporter asked about some of the rhetoric in newspaper story comments and blogs after the passage of Proposition 8, saying it was hateful against the LDS Church. McCoy replied that “one of the great things about this country is the First Amendment. Coming off of Proposition 8, which many were heavily invested in since it was an issue of fundamental human rights for gay and lesbian people, some of the community took advantage of that right and used it as a safety valve expression. And that is all well and good and needs to happen. It’s a catharsis. Now it’s time to back down and say, now that we are here, it’s time to move forward.” “It’s time to channel our energy and anger and disappointment into channels that will help us move understanding forward,” McCoy continued. “That is what we are trying to do here. We are looking for a way to move this dialogue forward.” Will Carlson ended up the conference saying, “The federal government has delineated over 1,100 rights and responsibilities that come with marriage. With insurance benefits, fair workplace and housing, and probate rights, we are looking for three.”

Qmmunity Gwen Araujo Film Discussion As part of Transgender Awareness Month, the Utah Pride Center will screen Trained in the Ways of Men, a documentary about the life and death of transgender teen Gwen Araujo and the much-publicized trials of her killers. The documentary also focuses on the complexities of gender identity. When: Nov. 25, 6:30 p.m. Where: Salt Lake City Public Library, 210 E 400 South Info: utahpridecenter.org

Trans Action Rally Part of Transgender Awareness Month, this rally will focus on transgender visibility and on “taking back the streets” for transgender people. When: Nov. 28, 6:00 p.m. Where: Utah Pride Center, 355 N 300 West Info: utahpridecetner.org

Day of Healing Individuals who have lost loved ones to suicide are invited to attend A Day of Healing for Survivors of Suicide Loss at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center on Nov. 22. The day will include a screening of a 90 minute program in which mental health professionals and suicide survivors discuss their experiences and the questions many survivors face in the wake of a suicide. The presentation will be used to facilitate discussion among attendees on such topics as strategies for coping and healing. Light refreshments will be served. Those unavailable to attend may view the program online between 1–2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time and participate in a free online chat immediately following. When: Nov. 22, 11:00 a.m. Where: Hilton Salt Lake City Center, 255 S West Temple) Info: afsp.org/survivorday

Swerve Giving Fest Lesbian social and civic organization Swerve is looking for donations of money and items for its December Giving Fest, a holiday event to give items to local senior citizens. To make donations or to get more information contact swerveholiday@yahoo.com. A drop box is also located at the Utah Pride Center (355 North 300 West). Swerve also needs help assembling gift boxes on Dec. 13.

Activists Plan ’09 March on Salt Lake City In the wake of nationwide protests against Proposition 8, a group of gayrights activists are organizing an event that they hope will lead to the creation of a national equality day for all Americans: a march on Salt Lake City slated for the spring equinox. Like many people across the country, organizer Shawn Cunningham, a former Utah resident who now lives in California, was troubled by the passage of Proposition 8 on the same night voters elected Barack Obama as the nation’s first black president. “I think the contrast of Prop. 8 in the face of that was disturbing to say the least,” said Cunningham, who identifies as straight and has a lesbian mother. “And it just occurred to me that not since the ’60s when we saw white people standing with black people and marching on Washington [D.C.], when people who weren’t part of that constituent stood up and said, ‘This isn’t where things should be going, we’re a greater country than that,’ I guess the mantra that started to develop in my head was that if the rights of some of us are infringed, then the rights of all of us are diminished.” Inspired by Obama’s election and the Proposition 8 protests that began shortly after, Cunningham and several of his friends put together the idea for the march on Nov. 7 — the same day thousands of Utahns demonstrated in front of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints headquarters to protest the church’s volunteer and financial support of the measure. However, the church’s high-profile involvement is not the only reason Cunningham and other organizers chose this location. As their Web site, equalnox.org, explains: “Utah was founded by a people chased across the country in search of their freedom of religious expression. Utah is a state of pioneers, a state of great beauty and of great contrast.” “I think there’s a lot of irony in Utah’s Mormon church meddling in this type of issue,” Cunningham added. Ironic or not, the struggles 19th Century Mormons had with the U.S. government over issues such as polygamy and religious freedom are emblematic of the march’s ultimate goal: to draw Americans of all races, sexual orientations and religious affiliations together around the common cause of universal equal rights. For Cunningham, structuring the concept behind the march is similar to the work he does at his marketing job — that is, taking control of and redirecting a message. In this case, moving the discussion of gay rights (such as marriage equality) away from messages based in the anger, vengeance and fear that he said dominated discourse during the Proposition 8 debate. “In a proposition that so closely won, a lot of people pulled the lever, so to speak, based on lies,” he said. “You saw a lot of advertising in California that was just patently false, saying that kids are going

to be influenced by gay marriages and churches forced to marry gay people.” Rather, Cunningham hopes to “elevate” the discussion of gay rights by showing that these rights are a part of everyone’s civil rights, regardless of orientation. Already he and his team have taken steps towards this restructuring. For example, they have scheduled the march for the spring equinox, a day that symbolizes such hopeful concepts as rebirth, renewal and life. And while some gay rights activists have called on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens to boycott Utah, Cunningham discourages this idea. “I think this is a bad idea,” he wrote on the march’s Facebook page. “We are planning a ‘favored’ business list of companies in Utah that are not bigoted. Nevertheless, this march is not about ‘confrontation.’ Our message will be better received if we are respectful and inclusive of others that share the mindset.” And now is the right time, he added, for others to receive this message. “[I’ve heard about] Mormons arguing in wards over this,” he said. “That’s an opportunity, because there’s an opening to grow awareness.” While Cunningham said he had no interest in making people change their

Gay Mormons Speak Out Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons, a support group for current and former gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their allies, has released the following statement about the passage of Proposition 8. “Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons is deeply saddened that marriage equality was rejected by so many California voters, as well as by voters in Florida and Arizona. The apparent passage of Proposition 8 is a blow, not only to the thousands of Californians whose marriage plans are now in question, but to the freedoms and protections that are the hallmark of both the United States and the California constitutions. This constitutional amendment strips citizens of an existing right and compromises the principle of equality. Affirmation fully supports the efforts now ongoing to challenge, overturn or set aside the results of the Proposition 8 ballot initiative. “Affirmation is also saddened by the role that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints played in this process, and the harm that the Church has done to itself in California, across the United States and around the world. That the leaders of the Church seem to not understand the damage that has been done, the depth and breadth of emotion that has been unleashed, or the hurt that has been inflicted is tragic. Nonetheless, our invitation to the First Presidency of November 20,

religious beliefs or practices, he said it was time for people of all religions to accept others as full American citizens. “If you don’t respect that, we all lose,” he said. Ultimately, Cunningham would like to see March 21 established as a national day to recognize equality where Americans “shine the flashlight into the dark corners of the room and keep this kind of shit from happening again.” To that effect, he said he would like to work with a number of “like-minded” groups across the country. His team, he added, is already reaching out to a number of Utah civil rights group to ask for their help in organizing the day. Although Cunningham knows that he and his cohorts have a lot of work ahead of them, he said he is excited and optimistic. “I have a theory about Obama — that we would have never had an Obama without a Bush,” he said. “And if you follow that same line of thinking, perhaps we’d never be having this conversation without Prop. 8 happening and some of the other legislation that passed in other states. Maybe sometimes it has to be so bad that people stop and say, ‘Wait what’s going on? This isn’t right.’”

The March on Salt Lake City’s Facebook page can be found at tinyurl.com/58vzrz. Its Web site equalnox.org is under construction.

the Church to meet with Affirmation’s Executive Committee to discuss areas in which we can work together on items of mutual concern remains open. The Church’s acceptance of our invitation would be a first step toward healing. “Affirmation affirms that all of us on this earth are children of a loving God, endowed with certain privileges and promises. We have been commanded to love God and to love each other. Our church has taught us the importance of finding a companion with whom to travel the journey of life, and that nothing is more important on this earth than family. We do not seek to deny anyone else the recognition of their legal marriage vows; we ask that others accord us the same respect.” In previous statements, Affirmation has called the LDS church’s support of Proposition 8 “an embarrassment” and has refuted the church’s charges that failure to pass the proposition would force churches to perform same-sex marriages, and force the teaching of gay marriage in public schools. “The Articles of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints state people must be allowed to believe and worship as they choose, and the church must not interfere in civil issues,” said David Melson, Affirmation’s assistant executive director, in a statement released Oct. 11. “The leadership of the Mormon Church has seriously breached the tenets of their own faith. We urge them to prayerfully consider pulling out of the Prop 8 campaign, cease teaching hatred and homophobia as family values, and begin concentrating on the real world needs of its members and others.” 20 0 8 | issue 116 | QSa lt L a k e | 11

Look Your Best

Entrust Your Skin to a Board-Certiﬁed Dermatologist General Dermatology Surgical Dermatology Costmetic Dermatology

• Botox® • Radiesse® • Perlane® • Laser Hair Removal • Chemical Peels • IPL Photorejuvenation

Douglas M. Woseth, MD, FAAD 3920 South 1100 East, Suite 310

Salt Lake City, Utah 84124

801-266-8841 www.lswinyer.com

DAN RODRIGUEZ State Farm Agent 1420 W 12600 S

danrodriguezagency.com

254-4441

“Because We’re Family” LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR STATE FARM IS THERE

Providing Insurance and Financial Services

Q Utah New Utah Group Seeks Marriage Equality In the wake of Proposition 8, the recently passed measure banning gay marriage in California, one Utahn has founded a local grassroots group to promote and to educate the community about what he describes as the need for marriage equality. A self-described “straight guy with gay family and friends,” Michael Mueller was inspired to create Utahns for Marriage Equality by his experiences making calls to California voters as part of a No on Proposition 8 phone tree and volunteering for President-elect Barack Obama’s campaign. “I saw first hand some of the tools and great efforts his campaign used,” said Mueller, referring to the Obama camp’s familiarity with and reliance on newer technologies — such as email, text messages and social networking Web sites like Facebook and MySpace — to spread its message. Shortly after Proposition 8’s passage on Nov. 4, Mueller set up a Facebook page for the fledgling group. At press time, it had 819 members, many of whom are involved in a number of other gay rights groups and marriage equality demonstrations, such as Join the Impact Salt Lake March for Equality. “[Utahns for Marriage Equality] is more a networking group to help support each other’s causes,” Mueller explained. “It’s very much a grassroots effort ... to combine all our best efforts and ideas towards the goal [of marriage equality]. Our main goals are outreach and education.” The group drew a number of activists including KRCL RadioActive producer Troy Williams, Join the Impact Salt Lake organizer Elaine Ball and members of local gay rights group Equality Utah to its first meeting on Nov. 11. Here, attendees discussed such topics as a proposed mission statement and the possibility of joining Marriage Equality USA as a Utah chapter. Mueller, however, said that some in the group, including himself, felt ambivalent about becoming part of the 12-year-old organization; in part because of its fundraising requirements and its focus on California’s political climate (three of the group’s nine chapters are based in the Bay State). “Our issues are different and I feel

they’re pretty California-centric,” Mueller said. The group ultimately voted to continue discussing the possibility of joining MEUSA at its next meeting on Nov. 24. Attendees also discussed holding various town hall meetings across the city to discuss Equality Utah’s forthcoming civil unions bill and outreach efforts to local religious groups, including the Pride Interfaith Council and Baptist and Catholic churches. Mueller also said the group hopes to dialogue with members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which contributed the majority of money and volunteer hours to the ‘Yes on 8’ campaign, ultimately raising close to $20 million for the cause. “I feel strongly that we can start a conversation,” said Mueller. “I know a lot of Catholics who are open minded just like three’s a lot of LDS who are open minded.” Mueller added that he hopes to reassure these churches that gay marriage isn’t a threat to them by exposing what he sees as the ‘Yes on 8’ campaign’s “fear tactics” — namely its contention that legalizing gay marriage would force churches to perform gay marriages or lose their tax-exempt status. Mueller said he especially hopes that Utahns for Marriage Equality can help gays and lesbians “move beyond Mormon church bashing.” “We realize they’re very heavily involved, but we can’t answer hate with hate,” he said. While Utahns for Marriage Equality is currently based in Salt Lake City, Mueller said the group hopes to involve people from all over the state, specifically in larger cities such as Provo, Ogden, Cedar City and St. George where support for gay marriage is also strong. Involving other cities is key, he added, not just to make the group more inclusive, but to spread its message further. “The outreach they do in Cedar City will be different than what we do in Salt Lake City,” he explained. Ultimately, Mueller said he hopes people of all faiths, ethnicities, sexual orientations and gender identities will join Utahns for Marriage Equality, because the struggle for marriage equality is no longer “just about gay rights.” “It’s become a full-on civil rights movement,” he said. Utahns for Marriage Equality will hold its next meeting at the Utah Pride Center (355 N 300 W) on Nov. 24 at 8:00 p.m. Those unable to attend or who live outside Salt Lake City may participate in a conference call by dialing (218) 486-8700 and using pass code 72403. To read the full Nov. 11 meeting minutes visit tinyurl.com/5ov3so.

12 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 116 | Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8

Pride Center, Equality Utah Decry Anti-Mormon Vandalism, Threats In the wake of vandalisms of several Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ward houses and incidents involving unidentified white powder being sent to Mormon temples in Salt Lake City and Los Angeles, local gay rights groups are calling for an end to violence and intimidation. “Equality Utah understands the pain and frustration of many citizens in California, Utah and around the country regarding the passage of California Proposition 8,” said Equality Utah Executive Director Mike Thompson in a statement released Nov. 14. “We see much of this frustration being expressed toward the LDS church. We must engage in civil and peaceful expressions and conduct. There is no room for violence, vandalism or intimidation — Equality Utah objects to these acts.” Thompson reiterated that Equality Utah had asked the LDS church, which contributed nearly $20 million to a campaign to pass the controversial constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in California, to support proposed legislation granting hospital visitation, equal housing and employment, probate rights and civil unions to Utah’s gay and lesbian couples. The

church has publicly stated that it does not oppose these rights. “Equality Utah remains confident that the LDS church will be true to its past public statements that it is not anti-gay,” Thompson continued. “We believe the church will show its genuine compassion for the needs of Utah’s gay and transgender people and their families who rightly ask for basic legal protections.” “During such an emotional time, where wounds run deep, we must remind ourselves of the greater good,” the statement concluded. “We must make efforts to forgive where forgiveness is needed and fix what needs to be fixed. We must find ways to work together — families in our community are depending on us. As the LDS church stated, we can build a better society. Equality Utah is committed to doing just that.” In an official statement given the same day, the Utah Pride Center said it was “deeply troubled” by recent attacks on LDS churches and the Salt Lake City temple. “These actions are deplorable and make our entire community fear for our safety,” the statement read. “The Utah Pride Center hopes that

authorities are able to quickly find those responsible for this deplorable behavior.” While anti-LGBT legislation has been disappointing and painful to citizens across this great nation, our hope is that everyone finds peaceful and productive ways to continue this dialogue. During the weekend following Proposition 8’s passage, vandals targeted seven LDS ward houses in Layton, Sandy, Ogden and South Ogden, shooting out windows and glass doors with BB guns. On Nov. 13, FBI agents and the Salt Lake City Fire Department’s Hazardous Material crew descended on the Salt Lake City LDS Temple after an employee in the recorder’s office opened an envelope containing an unidentified white powder. He and two other workers were briefly quarantined in the temple’s annex and released when officials determined they were unharmed. Although FBI tests on the powder have ruled it out as ricin or smallpox, officials said that the department would perform more tests to make sure that the powder is not a previously unidentified toxin. At press time investigators in the vandalism and white powder cases have not uncovered any evidence linking any of the crimes to Proposition 8 opponents. The Utah Pride Center also urged

the public not to rush to any conclusions about the identity of the person(s) involved in mailng the suspicious package to the Salt Lake City Mormon temple. “[U]ntil proper authorities have determined the investigation, it is false to conclude that yesterday’s suspicious package came from gay protester(s). Overwhelmingly, gay and allied Utahns have expressed their pain, frustration and commitment to securing rights through peaceful demonstrations and marches.”

PWACU Poinsettias The People with AIDS Coalition of Utah has opened preorders for their red poinsettia plants, which they sell during the winter holidays to benefit Utahns with HIV/AIDS. The poinsettias stand approximately 15-19 inches and come in six inch pots. They are locally grown and come with care instructions. They cost $10 per plant or $75 for a batch of eight plants. Orders: Call (801) 484-2205 or pwacu.org.

Gobble, Gobble The Utah Pride Center is planning its annual Pride Thanksgiving Dinner and needs volunteers willing to donate prepared dishes and to help run the dinner. When: Nov. 27, 11:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m. Where: Utah Pride Center, 361 N 300 West Info: jennifer@utahpridecenter.org or (801) 539-8800 x 13

The Village Christmas Shoppe Not Your Father’s Christmas Shoppe

or is it?

GARDNER VILLAGE • 1100 West 7800 South • West Jordan • 801.569.0320 OPEN MONDAY – SATURDAY 10am to 8pm, SUNDAY Noon to 5pm Visit us online at www.thevillagechristmasshoppe.com Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8 | issue 116 | QSa lt L a k e | 13

COMPARE TO AIRPORT AND $AVE!

1 Q

24 HOUR SHUTTLE

FREE DAY

of Parking

Expires 12/31/08

Redwood Rd & I-80 Exit 118 801-355-PARK (7275)

$6.00 Per Day Self Park

One coupon per visit. Not valid with other offers or discounts

FREE CAR WASH! FREE BOTTLED WATER

• Monarchy • Sky • Mark Nason

Twisted Heart

Clothing for Men and Women 9290 S. Village Shop Dr. (Approx. 1000 East) Quarry Bend Shopping Center Hours: Mon–Sat 11am–7pm Sundays by Appointment • 801-495-5062

• Salvage • Taverniti • One Life •

• True Religion

Soul Revival • Hobo

MEK • Affliction

The

inc.

BEER NUT

You’re Here. You Make Beer. We’re Used to It. Beer, Wine, Fruit Wine Kits and more Ask about our missionary discount 1200 S. State, Salt Lake City (801) 531-8182 • (888) 825-4697 beernut.com

50% off make-up pouches, purses and bags. Custom gift baskets available. Open Daily from 10am–9pm 878 EAST 900 SOUTH • 538-0606

Bloggers Call for Utah Boycott; ‘SL City Weekly’ Cans Columnist Some gay activist bloggers have called for a boycott of Utah’s tourism industry, including syndicated sex columnist Dan Savage, who announced that he and his boyfriend have changed their vacation plans. “The Mormon church put up four out of every five dollars spent to ban same-sex marriage in California,” wrote Savage on his blog. “Since all Mormons-in-good-standing must tithe 10 percent of their earnings to their church, some part of any dollar you spend in a Mormon-owned business — and they’re almost all Mormon-owned businesses in Utah — flows toward an anti-gay church that wages anti-gay political campaigns. Ski Colorado, Washington state, and British Columbia. Don’t ski Utah.” “Honest to God: My boyfriend and I were talking about taking a trip to Utah this winter to go snowboarding,” continued Savage. “Fuck you, Utah — we’re going to big, blue Colorado.” He ended his article with, “Utah is the new Coors. Pass it on.” That raised the ire of Salt Lake City Weekly executive editor John Saltas. “[B]oycotting Utah does not boycott the LDS Church. The important work is being done on the streets of Utah, and Dan Savage is nowhere to be found. Imagine Martin Luther King Jr. not marching in Selma,” Saltas fired back. He said that “all Utahns aren’t to blame,” and pointed out that James Dobson, the virulently homophobic founder of the anti-gay industry’s largest organization, Focus on the Family, is based in Colorado. “If you’re a fan

of Savage’s column, you won’t find it on our Web site any longer ... since Savage hates Utah so much, there’s no point in us playing in his sandbox by sending him a regular check,” he finished. But some activists claim a Utah boycott is starting to grow legs. “At a fundamental level, the Utah Mormons crossed the line on this one,” said gay rights activist John Aravosis, an influential Washington, D.C-based blogger. “They just took marriage away from 20,000 couples and made their children bastards. You don’t do that and get away with it.” Aravosis has helped organize boycotts against Dr. Laura’s television show, Microsoft and Ford over gay rights issues. “The main focus is to be going after the Utah brand. At this point, honestly, we’re going to destroy the Utah brand. It is a hate state,” he said. “We don’t need people to stay away from Utah,” said Mike Thompson, executive director of Equality Utah. “We need gay people to come to Utah.” QSaltLake editor Michael Aaron says that a Utah boycott would disporportionately affect Salt Lake, Park City and Moab, all of which voted for Obama for president and against Amendment 3 in 2004. “We’d rather encourage people to support the bluest cities in this red state to show support for our constant and continuing struggle, he commented on Aravosis’ blog. “A boycott would abandon us and potentially harm our progressive- and gay-owned businesses. Q

Largest Utah Donors to Yes on Prop 8 Alan Ashton — Thanksgiving Point, Lindon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,000,000.00 Hartford Holdings, LLC, Provo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $300,000.00 David Moon — MyFamily.com, Alpine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $200,000.00 Katharine Garff - Utah State Bd of Regents / Ken Garff Automotive Gro. . . . $100,000.00 Michele Adams Watterson, Watermark LLC, Cache. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100,000.00 Roger Bayer — The Byron Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100,000.00 Carol Smith — Accelerated Genealogy Research, Murray. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50,000.00 David Bullock — Aimpro Cleaners Park City. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $49,000.00 Henry Marsh — cofounder MonaVie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $49,000.00 Brent Bishop — ContentProtect, Farmington. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $60,000.00 Jay Clark — A & Z Produce Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25,000.00 Francis Magleby — Retired mural painter, Provo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25,000.00 Brent Andrus— Huntington Hotels - California hotels: Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott, Fairfield Inns, SpringHill Suites, Homewood Suites. . . . . . . . $20,000.00 Kathryn Carter — Colonial Stock Transfer, Salt Lake City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15,500.00 Lisa Myler — Myler Weddings, American Fork. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,000.00 Barbara Lee, Midway. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,000.00 Janna S. Morrell, Providence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,000.00 First Global Marketing LLC, Provo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,000.00 Ace Mechanical Contractors, Inc., Saint George. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,000.00 James Mcarthur, St George Automotive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,000.00 Kenneth Newby, Newby Buick-Oldsmobile-Pontiac-GMC, St George . . . . . . . $10,000.00 Wilkinson Electric, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,000.00

1 4 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 116 | Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8

Hotel Monaco’s Fourth Red Party is Passionate Last year, the Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City set itself on fire for the Utah AIDS Foundation and World AIDS Day — if not literally, then the fire spinners and wall-to-wall projections of flames at its third annual Red Party (which raises money for UAF’s programs and services) were close enough. This year, however, the Kimpton boutique hotel plans on outdoing itself yet again with its fourth bash, titled “Passion Party.” Why such a sexy theme? “We want to show the community how passionate we are about the Utah AIDS Foundation, and what they do, and raising money for them,” said Shawn Jackson, Monaco’s entertainment guru (yes, his real title). To show the hotel’s passion, and to encourage partiers to also become passionate about helping UAF with its life-saving work, this year’s party will feature a number of new and exciting things all centered around the sensual world, including: Go-Go dancers, living statues (reminiscent of Galatea, the statue brought to life by mythological Greek artist Pygmalion) and aphrodisiac foods created by onsite Bambara restaurant. There will also be an oxygen bar, where guests can sample concentrated oxygen in a variety of different aromas. What does oxygen have to do with passion? “Oxygen is actually an aphrodisiac,” Jackson explained. “It opens up the mind.” This year’s party is also targeted towards opening the minds of a demographic that HIV/AIDS is currently ravaging: young people, specifically ages 18-25, who are too young to remember the devastation the disease wrought in the 1980s. “The average age is dropping for a lot of factors, but I think there’s a sense that HIV is not an issue anymore,” said Stan Penfold, executive director of the Utah AIDS Foundation. “[They think] it’s not a problem, not a lot of people have it, there might be a cure. It’s the same misconception because [HIV/AIDS] is not talked about very much anymore.” And UAF is seeing the costs of these misconceptions first hand. So far this year, said Tyler Fisher, the organization’s program director, 82 new HIV diagnoses have been reported in Utah — significantly more than the state saw in 2007. “What we can say is that we are seeing a 22 percent increase,” said Fisher. Worse, the reactivity rate — that is, the number of positive HIV diagnoses out of all tests given at the organization — is also higher than the state’s rate. Last year, Fisher said the reactivity rate at UAF was .86 percent — close to the state’s average

of .73 percent. “At the same time this year we’re over one percent,” he said. Worse still, men who have sex with men have accounted for all the positive tests at UAF this year, with cases hitting the age groups of 24 and under and 30-39 particularly hard. “It’s great they’re coming in and accessing the testing, but maybe they’re not catching the messages that are put out there,” Fisher said. So, another of UAF’s goals is to put out new messages about prevention, education and rapid testing. Fisher added that the foundation will unveil a teaser of its new, edgier campaign at the party. UAF has been hinting at such a campaign since January, when the organization announced it had turned down advertising money from the Utah Department of Health, which came with restrictions on the content of ads the foundation could create. The new ads, said Fisher, will allow UAF to “delve into some more sensitive issues and be more provocative.” For the last four years, the Red Party has also been one of the most provocative celebrations in town. After getting an “overwhelmingly positive” response last year, the celebration will be moved upstairs to the Paris Ballroom, which will be decorated entirely in red, the color symbolizing AIDS awareness. Guests are asked to dress entirely in red, and prizes will be given to the best dressed. Prize drawings and a silent auction will also be held throughout the night. Last year, the hotel raised $21,000 for the Utah AIDS Foundation, more than almost any other region with a Kimpton hotel. All regions with Kimpton properties sponsor a similar fundraiser each year during the month of December. This year, Jackson said the hotel would like to raise at least $25,000. And while he is “a bit nervous” that the tanking economy will pose a challenge to this goal, he said he’s confident the party’s core of supporters will make this year’s event the most successful yet. “I really think everyone is gonna want to get out of their houses and have a good time,” he said. Due to the party’s popularity, guests must RSVP. They can do so by calling Nathan Measom at (801) 487-2323 or emailing Nathan.measom@utahaids. org. The suggested donation is $25 at the door. Throughout the month of December, Bambara will also offer a red plate special, with proceeds going to the Utah AIDS Foundation. Additionally, any reservation booked at Hotel Monaco (under the code RRC for Red Ribbon Campaign) will save guests 10 percent on their hotel stay, and donate $10 to UAF. Q

Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8 | issue 116 | QSa lt L a k e | 15

Take Part in a Research Study HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF TAKING PART IN A RESEARCH STUDY? Dr. Leonard J. Swinyer and Dr. Douglas M. Woseth of the Dermatology Research Center is looking for individuals who have the following conditions: • • • • • •

Moderate Facial Acne Facial Rosacea Atopic Dermatitis (eczema starting during childhood) Athlete’s Foot Actinic Keratoses Toenail Fungus

If you or someone you know has one of these conditions, and woule like to receive more information and to schedule an appointment, please call the Dermatology Research Center at 801-269-0135 or email kim@dermatologyresearch.net Compensation given to qualified participants.

Call 269-0135 for more information dermatology research center, inc. 3920 South 100 East, Suite 210, Salt Lake City www.dermatologyresearch.net

‘Men on a Mission’ Creator Sues BYU for Diploma son has set a new precedent. They are going to flex their muscles with their The creator of a popular calendar agenda, and if you don’t like it, move showcasing former Church of Jesus out of the way.” Christ of Latter-day Saints missionBut Hardy is not moving out of the aries posing shirtless is filing suit against Brigham Young University over the Mormon-owned school’s revocation of his degree. Chad Hardy, a Las Vegas resident who released the popular Men on a Mission calendar in late 2007 to nationwide acclaim, was excommunicated in July for “conduct unbecoming a member of the Church” — in part because he refused to pull plans for a 2009 calendar. A lighthearted attempt to show members of the conservative LDS church as individuals and to increase relgious tolerance of Mormons, the popular calendar’s first installment sold over 10,000 copies. A portion of its proceeds also went to charities chosen by individual models. As Hardy explained it, the trouble with BYU began in August after he finished the last four credits of his communications degree, which he had put on hold in 2002 due to financial reasons. Although Hardy had finished his class work before his way. In the months since receiving excommunication, he was still conFinlinson’s letter he has retained attorcerned that the school would “try to neys Stephen C. Clark and George M. pull something like this over me, beFrandsen and began seeking funds for cause they are a private institution, his legal defense. Although privatelyand they are notorious for playing owned universities such as BYU do unfair.” After walking at his gradunot fall under state nondiscrimination ation ceremony, Hardy thought the school wouldn’t “dare take my degree laws, Hardy said that the school can’t away,” especially given the media at- deny a degree based on religion. “If a student is accepted and nothtention the calendar had received. He was mistaken. On Sept. 30, Nor- ing changes between acceptance and graduation, the university is obliman B. Finlinson, executive director of BYU’s Student Academic & Advise- gated, as I understand it, to award the degree,” said Hardy. “In my case, ment Services, wrote to Hardy, stating that Hardy had been deleted from the university policy states that a the graduation list and that he would student must be in good honor code standing at the time of graduation. not receive his degree. So, the question is ‘when did I graduThe reason? “The University ate,’ was it when I was approved in became aware that you were not in good honor code standing to graduate 2002? Was it when I finished my last because you had been excommunicat- coursework? Was it when I attended ed from the Church of Jesus Christ of commencement and wore my cap and gown? Or is it, as the university Latter-day Saints.” Finlinson added seems to think, whenever they get that Hardy could contact his office around to it.” about his “possible eligibility for the A strong legal precedent also exawarding of a degree” if he again ists, he added, that says all schools became a member in good standing. must treat their students fairly — for “It seems to me with the PR diexample, by making sure that a stusasters the church has experienced recently, that perhaps they just don’t dent’s punishment does not exceed the severity of an honor code violation. care anymore what people think,” “In my case, revoking my degree said Hardy, referring to the criticism after I earned it, without telling me and the Mormon church has faced after allowing me a hearing, violates fundaits public support for California’s mental rules of fairness,” he explained. anti-gay marriage Proposition 8. Because BYU does accept federally“[Church president] Thomas S. Mon16 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 116 | Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8 by JoSelle Vanderhooft

insured student loans and federally funded grants, Hardy said his attorneys are also looking into whether or not the school violated federal laws regarding the confidentiality of a student’s records and “the manner of notice when disciplinary action is taken.” Further, some details in Hardy’s excommunication have also caused his lawyers to consider a cause of action for defamation of character.

The path to Hardy’s excommunication began in March, when he was contacted by his stake president, Frank Davie, who called Hardy’s calendar “inappropriate.” “It simply does not represent the church or church missionaries in the right way,” Davie wrote in an email to Hardy dated May 11, and which Hardy has posted to his Web site, chadhardy.com. When Hardy refused to pull production of a 2009 calendar, he said Davie sent him a letter calling him to a church disciplinary hearing. “Every single question was about the calendar — what it looked like, was the church logo used, is there a disclaimer, etc.,” said Hardy. “The whole time I was trying to figure out what I had done so wrong for the church to be holding the disciplinary council on my behalf. It’s not like I was speaking out against the core beliefs of Mormonism — if anything, I was celebrating Mormonism in my own unique way.” The vagueness of his excommunication, said Hardy, is where the question of defamation of character lies.

“Since it is well known that the church doesn’t excommunicate for failure to wear garments or pay tithing,” both of which came up briefly during the hearing, “their statement that I was excommunicated for other serious transgressions implies I did something they consider to be an excommunicable offense, such as adultery, murder or committing a felony,” Hardy explained. “Although I didn’t do any of these, this is what people assume when they hear the statements that have been made.” In suing BYU and the Mormon church, Hardy also said he hopes to teach both institutions to treat students fairly, and to adhere by the “constitutional guarantees of due process” that the church believes are divinely inspired. And while Hardy is heterosexual, he said he sees similarities between his case and the church’s involvement in Proposition 8. “The church’s agenda took away something sacred and personal that belonged to 18,000 families in California. Their agenda took away something personal that belonged to me too — my dignity and my degree,” he said. “The LDS Church proudly teaches that the Constitution of the United States of America was divinely inspired by God. Yet the church has taken every legal measure possible to ensure that the Constitution does not apply to its members and the students and faculty at BYU. The church in taking away their rights of its members under the protection of the separation of church and state has also used that same constitutional protection to take away the rights of families in California.” True to the charitable spirit behind the Men on a Mission calendar, Hardy said he will donate his legal fund, if he wins, to a nonprofit organization to help “students and individuals in similar situations.” “My situation is not unique within the walls of the church and BYU,” he said. “I am just the guy who has been fortunate enough to have the public and media interest in my story, which has allowed me to shine a spotlight on the injustices that occur in the name of religion.” Q Hardy is in need of $10,000 for his legal fund. At press time he had raised $1,871.85. To donate, or to learn more about Hardy, his case and the calendar that started it all, visit chadhardy.com. Donors who contribute $100 or more will receive a signed copy of the 2008 and 2009 Men on a Mission calendars. Money may be sent through the site using Paypal or mailed to Chad Hardy Legal Fund, PO Box 97776, Las Vegas, NV 89193.

BRIAN GORDON

Second SLC Demonstrations Also Draw Thousands About 2,000 demonstrators assembled at the Salt Lake City-County Building on the crisp morning of Nov. 15 carrying colorful signs and flags — United State, Gay Pride and a mixture of the two. The two-hour demonstration opened with a blessing by Gene Thunderhawk of the Lakota Native American tribe. Organizer Elaine Ball then stepped onto the building’s eastern staircase to welcome the demonstrators. Stating that the community itself, and not any individual, was responsible for making the event happen, Ball urged those present to thank the person standing next to them. “You guys are the change that Utah can now believe in,” Ball said, citing one of President-elect Obama’s campaign slogans. Roger Carrier, a self-described 62-year-old straight married man, spoke first. Holding a sign aloft that read: “Straight male married 40 years says gay marriage is OK. Don’t tread on me! Gay rights are my rights!” Carrier criticized the LDS church for allying itself with churches who dislike Mormonism in its support of Proposition 8. “Unlike the Mormons’ allies in California, most gays believe that the LDS people are Christians,” he said. “The gay community wants to make friends. Mormons have far more in common with the average gay person than with the Bible-thumper on the religious right who is trashing their theology every hour and every minute on the internet. ... The average gay person is only complaining about the lack of access to the courthouse, not your ward house.” Elan Bartholomew, the 17-year-old son of a lesbian couple, spoke next, recounting how he had attended several protests to fight for “the possibility of my family being legally one.” He counseled the crowd not to give up hope in achieving full gay civil equality.

“Though it may not happen right now, change is coming,” he said to applause. Eric Ethington, the bisexual author of the widely-circulating letter titled

persecution of 19th Century Mormons for practicing polygamy. She also criticized the LDS Church for claiming that gay activists have been “persecuting” Mormons in the wake of Proposition 8’s passage. “We are the playground sissies singled out and beaten up by the biggest bully in school, and we are so tired of being beaten up that we finally found the courage — or the desperation — to stand up,” she said to loud applause. The event’s keynote speaker was Jeff Key, a playwright and former U.S. Marine who was discharged after publicly coming out. Previously seen waving a large U.S. flag whenever the crowd cheered, Key said that he would not “surrender that flag or my relationship to God because it’s inconvenient to” opponents of gays and lesbians. He also encouraged demonstrators not to engage opponents of gay marriage with hatred and anger, but to realize these opponents “are doing as much for marriage equality as we are.” As the thousands of demonstrators began their march around the Salt Lake City Public Library, Key led them in the protest song “We Shall Overcome.” Marchers then made their way around the block encompassing the library, The Leonardo Founda-

tion Building and the City Council building, and chanted slogans such as “Church and state! Separate!” and “Yes we can!” As in the Nov. 7 Temple Square protest, the marchers were met by a handful of counter-protesters. One group chanted “The people voted, shame on you!” from a flatbed truck festooned with signs denouncing gay marriage and calling Proposition 8 opponents “sore losers.” Another group carried signs condemning gays to hell for their sinful behavior. Despite the exchange of some angry words, Lt. Lamar Ewell of the Salt Lake City Police said that both sides kept things peaceful. “This is a volatile topic for both sides and emotions run a little high,” he said. “On the whole I think everyone did an outstanding job of getting the message out.” While the demonstration dispersed at 2:00 p.m., demonstrators assembled again at the Utah Capitol Building for a candle light vigil at 6:00 p.m. Here they spelled out “Equality” on the capitol’s lawn using 10,000 candles. Musicians Bronwen Beecher of Celtic rock group The Salty Frogs and pianist Misty Rivers also performed at the demonstration’s afternoon portion. Q

ACLU of Utah Dismayed at Passage of Calif. Prop. 8

Ex-marine Jeff Key. PHOTO: Rhonda Martinez “Dear Utah” told the crowd that Proposition 8 passed because “the nation went towards complacency.” He added, however, that its passage had galvanized gays and straight allies to action. “With its passage, it feels like a sleeping giant has been awakened and new voices are being heard everywhere,” he said. “I don’t care if one amendment or 20 were passed. They will be overturned. The fight is never over until we are equal.” Transgender activist Dominique Storni echoed Ethington’s sleeping giant remark in her historicallycharged speech, in which she called the level of gay organization in the days after the election “a civil rights movement equal to that of the ’60s.” Storni drew parallels between governmental persecution of gays and lesbians in 2008 and other past wrongs, including the illegality of interracial marriage and the U.S. government’s

The local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union sent a statement to QSaltLake aimed at clarifying issues of religious liberty related to the recent California ballot initiative related to same-sex marriage: The American Civil Liberties Union of Utah expresses dismay over the passage of Proposition 8 in California, which seeks to amend California’s Constitution to exclude a single group of people — same sex couples — from the fundamental right to marry. The ACLU of Utah acknowledges the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ recent statement calling on everyone, on both sides of the debate, to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility towards each other and to request that parties refrain from subjecting others to erroneous information. In the interest of disseminating accurate information, we feel it is important to highlight that the choice between religious freedom and equal rights is a false dichotomy. As an organization long dedicated to protecting and promoting religious liberties and equal rights, even when those rights appear to be in tension with one another, the ACLU of Utah asserts that it is misleading and inaccurate to claim that recognition of same-sex marriage by the state of California in some way infringes on the religious liberty of the LDS Church or any other religion. State recognition of same-sex marriage in no way requires a church or

religious institution to recognize or even perform such ceremonies. Legalizing same-sex marriage in California would never require the LDS church to perform same-sex marriages in its temples against its religious principals — just as Catholic priests never have been required to marry persons who are divorced and Orthodox rabbis have never been compelled to perform interfaith marriages. The ACLU would be the first to defend a religious institution from being forced by the government to perform a marriage ceremony in violation of its religious tenets. However, state-recognized marriage does confer a myriad of benefits upon married couples, many of which are difficult to obtain otherwise. Such legally-incurred benefits include health insurance, unemployment compensation, family leave, inheritance, hospital visitation and more. ln Utah, civil unions and domestic partnerships are not recognized by the state, making such benefits all the more unattainable. Civil (state) recognition of marriage does not, in and of itself, carry any particular religious significance. The California’s Supreme Court’s recognition of the constitutional right of same-sex couples to marry did not change that. It is inaccurate to suggest that civil marriage for same-sex couples would infringe on religious liberties. This inaccuracy hinders our ability to move forward with mutual respect and civility. Q

Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8 | issue 116 | QSa lt L a k e | 17

meet utAH’s A newest gAy ACtiVist

queer utah Aquatic Club, Whipple met Drew Cloud during this year’s International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics Championships in Washington, D.C. Although Cloud was working with the competition — specifically, a water polo team from West Hollywood — Whipple describes their meeting as “love at first sight.” Seriously. “We spent 24/7 [together] from that time on for the rest of the tournament,” he explains. “On that first date we had lunch with my team, and then we went out and saw all the monuments while they were lit up at night.” “I could see where things were going and I wanted them to go there, but I was so afraid because I had given up on all those happily-everafter stories,” Whipple recounts. So he made the following deal with his new love: they had to wait three full dates before planning anything. The tournament counted as the first date, and dates two and three involved each man visiting the other for a week. When Cloud came to Utah for date four, Whipple proposed to him. They set their wedding date for April 11, 2009 in California, where the state supreme court had struck down a provision banning gay marriage a month before that fateful tournament. And then came election night. Like many across the country, Whipple and his friends threw an election night party as they watched the election results pour in. When Ohio turned blue, Whipple cheered because he “knew” Obama would win. And yet, Proposition 8, the controversial ballot measure that would overturn the judges’ ruling, gnawed in the back of his mind. Whipple followed the numbers on the vote until 4:30 a.m. when exhaustion finally drove him to bed. In the morning, he discovered that the measure had passed by a narrow margin. Like thousands of hopeful gay couples, Whipple had gone from engaged to “in a long-term relationship” in less than 24 hours. It was, as Whipple puts it, “devastating.” But he didn’t remain devastated for very long. On Nov. 5, Whipple saw news footage of antiProposition 8 demonstrations in California. “From what I heard, it was up to 100,000 people in West Hollywood marching up Sunset Avenue, blocking traffic and marching past the CNN building,” he remembers. The next day brought news of protests in Los Angeles and San Francisco. member oF the

Jacob Whipple didn’t necessarily set out to be a gay leader; he just wanted to marry a handsome swimmer from California. 1 8 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 116 | Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8

“I remember seeing this on the news and thinking, ‘this is great,’” Whipple says. “We’re actually standing up for our rights and not rolling over and taking it like we have so many other times before when states have passed same-sex marriage bans.” “We’ve let HRC and Lambda Legal do their best to try and preserve some of those rights and win some back, but what have we as a gay community done for ourselves?” he continues. “We sit there and sign petitions from the comfort of our own home and send donations so we feel like we’re a part of things, but we haven’t done anything.” And then he got an idea that would change not only the balance of power in Utah, but Utah’s place in the 21st Century’s gay rights movement. Why couldn’t he do something, too? “As a gay man and a Salt Lake City resident [I thought] we needed to tell the church they had no right to put our rights up to a vote, to go into another state and ask people to take away our happiness and our relationships,” Whipple says, referring to the Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ much-publicized efforts to raise volunteer and financial support for Proposition 8. And so, taking a nod from President-elect Obama’s internet-savvy campaign, Whipple sent a text message to 100 people in his cell phone’s address book: why don’t we protest, too? Within five minutes, 20 people agreed. “Once I got those I was like, ‘you know what, maybe we should really do this.’” So, like many other impromptu activists, Whipple advertised the event on his Facebook page, and called the Salt Lake City Police Department to see if he needed a permit for the protest. Ten minutes later, the historic Nov. 7 Temple Square protest was in business.

moRmon boy

Whipple’s road to gay fiancé and activist was long and sometimes difficult, as it often is for many gay Mormons. Although born in Salt Lake City, Whipple grew up in North Carolina where he attended services at an LDS ward house. “I had an idea at the age of 12 that I was gay and was trying to get over that,” he remembers. “[I thought], hopefully, if I went on a mission, God would fix me, and if I went to BYU I would find a girl I could fall in love with.”

Whipple indeed served a full two-year mission in Argentina and met a nice young lady at Brigham Young University. But try though he did, the last part of his plan just wouldn’t come true. “I did have this girl I’d been dating at BYU for about a month,” he remembers. “After that month I realized I had never kissed her. It wasn’t because I was respecting her as a person; I didn’t kiss her because I didn’t want to. So after that I was like, ‘You know what, this hasn’t gone away. It is a part of me.’” Whipple dropped his girlfriend and his university and enrolled in the University of Utah. He then began a “grueling year and a half” journey to self-acceptance. Although he no longer practices the faith of his childhood, he has not yet asked the LDS church to remove his name from its records. “I’m kind of surprised I don’t have a letter in my mailbox from them,” he laughs, referring to the summons to a disciplinary council Mormons sometimes get when they disobey church teaching. “I don’t know what they’re going to do with that.”

How to Assemble a Rally in 36 Hours or Less

One thing Whipple didn’t know on Nov. 6 was just how big the rally would get. But as any tech-addicted queer person can attest, the sky is often the limit when it comes to viral messages. Before Whipple knew it, his friends were text messaging friends, who were then text messaging their friends. Somewhere along the line, events appeared on social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace. A few even resorted to the “old-fashioned” method of going door to door, to make sure that gays and allied straights across the valley knew what was going on. A story about the rally was up on QSaltLake’s Web site at 6:00 p.m. and got 2,000 hits in the first four hours. Eventually, word of the rally reached KUTV Channel 4, who called Whipple requesting an interview. When the story aired on the 6:00 p.m. news, Fox 13 and KUTV Channel 2 also set up interviews. By 7:00 p.m. on Nov. 6 Whipple was scheduled to talk with every television station in the valley and both the Deseret News and the Salt Lake Tribune. When reporters asked how many protesters Whipple hoped to see, he told them 1,000 — surely an ambi-

tious goal. He never imagined the activism climate and direct it into of all races stepped forward to supSalt Lake City Police Department productive, effective and attainable port black equality in the 1960s. would estimate 5,000 at the rally’s goals.” “We need him to fight for our peak. The goals of which Whipple rights because who knows what From a makeshift stage in City speaks are many. First, he kind of leaders can come from our Creek Park’s southeast corner wants gay, lesbian, bisexual and community when we are on the Whipple says he saw nothing but a same solid ground as rest of our transgender legislators and orgasea of signs. Moving further north society,” he explains. nizational leaders to give speeches for a better view, Whipple then real- across the country on Jan. 24 to He also hopes that the initiaized that the protesters had comtive’s Web site (allforoneinitiative. tell those assembled how they can pletely packed the park. Listening become activists in their own cities org) can become a “one-stop-shop” to the cheers of “separate church for educating “every local GLBT by doing such things as advocating and state” and Barack Obama’s community” in the country about for such things as hospital visitaubiquitous campaign slogan, “yes gay-specific legislative measures in tion, employment nondiscriminawe can,” echoing from the surtheir communities and volunteer tion laws and domestic partner rounding buildings at whose windows more than a few curious onlookers had assembled, Whipple was profoundly moved. What had started as one man’s reaction to a hurtful and bigoted legislative action had grown, in less than two days’ time, into a movement that headlines across the country would proclaim for days. Indeed, every news station in the valley was on hand to cover the story, which would dominate the nightly news all weekend. PHOTO: DAVID DANIELS The story hit the Jacob Whipple holds fiancé Drew Cloud days before Whipple became Utah’s next gay activist. Associated Press, CNN and the page two of the New opportunities. registries. York Times. “We’re hoping this web site will He also wants to encourage the But what, Whipple wondered, become that center of information new president to stand with the would happen next week? so that we can be the activists we many gay people who voted for want to be right now,” he says. “We him by ending such things as the just don’t have the info now to be military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” effective and I want to bring that to policy and the Defense of MarAs Whipple began planning a riage Act, which forbids the federal our nation.” national protest for Nov. 22, he got And then there is the matter of government from recognizing gay word of Join the Impact Salt Lake his true love. As he plans and waits marriages and allows states not to City, a demonstration slated for recognize gay marriages performed for 2009, Whipple says the ceremony Nov. 15. Not wanting to interfere, in other states. He would also like will go forward as planned, if not Whipple and other organizers Obama’s help in passing a national when he visits his partner for decided to move the date to Jan. employment nondiscrimination act Thanksgiving (provided California 24, 2009 — four days after Obama’s that covers sexual orientation and is still issuing marriage licenses beinauguration. gender identity. cause of pending litigation against However, Whipple stresses that “We need to stand up and let him Proposition 8), then on April 11, this day will be different than the know we’re here and we want our 2009, with or without the state’s ones in November. Instead of prorights back,” Whipple says, noting approval. testing the ‘Yes on 8’ campaign and that Obama has publicly spoken “It’s still a wedding and our the LDS church’s involvement, this out against “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” friends and family are still planning rally, called the All for One InitiaDOMA and even Proposition 8. on attending. We will give our vows tive, will look to the future of gay before them,” he insists. Q Noting that Obama’s parents — a rights in the United States. white woman and a black man — For more information on the All for One “If we continue on this route, all could not have married a few deInitiative visit allforoneinitiative.org. Like we’re going to do is negatively effect cades ago thanks to laws forbidding many activist sites created in Proposition the movement we could produce interracial marriage, Whipple adds 8’s wake, it is still under construction. with all this energy,” Whipple that gays need Obama to step forexplains. “We need to actively take ward for their rights just as people this energy, this motivation, this Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8 | issue 116 | QSa lt L a k e | 19

Looking to the Future

Q Views Letters A Battle for Everyone Editor, By now, most of us are aware that Proposition 8 in California has eliminated equal rights for the citizens of that state, and in a symbolic way the equal rights of the citizens of the United States. I wanted to share with everyone that the expected passage of Prop 8 is a blow, but it is nowhere near a finishing blow to the struggle for equality. Just as Amendment 3 was passed and we mourned this disturbing measure in discrimination, we are still here; we are still changing minds through educating people, and whether we are in an organized phone bank or a simple, everyday conversation, we are always fighting for our rights. The actions taken this week in California, Arizona, Florida, and Arkansas to eliminate our legal rights and strike at our families are terrible, but it should not make us feel defeated. Instead, we have a challenge to rise up to. We should not be afraid of a tyrannous majority, but hopeful that we have begun to bring important attention to our issues. We have started a conversation about equal rights that is getting everyone to explore their biases, both intentional and unintentional, towards this important struggle for fairness, justice, and equality. The battle for equal rights is not just for those of different races, religions, or sexual orientations – it is a battle for everyone that affects all of us. We are all victims when discrimination is written into the law. We are all victims when we limit our views. We are all victims of Proposition 8.

Kyle Hoyt

North Ogden

Bravo, Utah! Editor, As a former Utahn who was living in California on May 15, 2008 (the day the California Supreme Court recognized our right to marry), I have been impressed and touched by the Utah queer community’s response to the passage of California’s Prop 8. Bravo to the protestors! And bravo to Equality Utah’s entirely appropriate and timely introduction of 5 new vitally needed pieces of legislation! I’ve heard of national queer activists calling for a boycott on the state of my birth and my family, and I think they are horribly misguided. Having traveled this country a bit, I believe that the progressive movement in Utah is among the

best in the nation. I have said to everyone who would listen that rather than boycotting Utah, those of us who live in other states would do better to support Utah’s progressive community. We should do all that we can to support the Utah Pride Center, Equality Utah, and other progressive organizations that are actively challenging and reshaping the attitudes of Utahns. This will ultimately undo more Mormon damage to the queer rights movement than any boycott ever could. Bravo Utah!

Jere Keys

Cincinnati, OH

Stop the Neighbor Hating Editor, Posted on your Web site is an article with a list of names of Utahns who donated money in support of Prop. 8 in California [“Utahns Who Supported Proposition 8,” QSaltLake.com]. I found included in this list of names a very dear friend of mine, along with the city that she lives in. I understand the frustrations that are felt with the passing of this proposition, however, identifying those who you feel are against your cause isn’t the answer. It appears that your magazine is now ostracizing individuals for their view — which is what the gay and lesbian communities have been fighting against for decades. In light of the recent extremist attacks in our area, I ask that you please remove this list. It should break everyone’s heart if something were to happen to

20 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 116 | Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8

one of the named people. Let’s stop the neighbor hating neighbor mentality.

Corey Brownson Ogden, Utah

A Toast to the LDS Church Editor: My dear Brothers and Sisters, as I sit here this beautiful Sabbath morning with my steaming cup of apple and cinnamon tea, I’d like to thank the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for their recent involvement in the vote on California’s Proposition 8. Many of their supporters are quick to point out that being only 2 percent of California’s population, they were not solely responsible for 8’s defeat. I agree. They did, however, do something much more important. Had the LDS church not stepped in, it is possible that Proposition 8 would have failed. What then? We’d have had a theme party at the bar and wait for other states to follow suit. Had the LDS church not stepped in, it is also possible that Proposition 8 still would have passed. And then? We would have been very upset and might even have staged a protest at “the system.” However, since the LDS church did get involved and Proposition 8 did pass, we now have a place to focus our anger and resolve. Across the country, LDS temples have been picketed bringing attention not just to their specific involvement but to the subject of gay marriage in general. This is now more of a national issue than it ever would have been without their interference.

QSaltLake Welcomes Letters from Our Readers Love a story written in this issue? Hate one? Did a columnist piss you off or tickle your funny bone? Want to say something to the world? Send a letter to the editor — we love feedback! Please keep your letter under 300 words and email it to letters@qsaltlake.com. Your letter, if published, may possibly be edited for length, suitability or libel. No one wants to go to court.

Letters Continued

Whether you love or hate the LDS church, I believe with every fiber of my being that they have helped further our cause more than they possibly imagined when they stuck their nose where it didn’t belong. Perhaps God really does work in mysterious ways. I raise my cup of tea and salute the LDS church for the backhanded help they have given us. Hugz!

William Munk Salt Lake City

Vilified Editor, After ruthlessly attacking the families of thousands of LGBT couples, the LDS Church feels it is unfair for it to be fired back upon. They’ve disrespected LGBT families. They’ve vilified the LGBT community and their families. They’ve vilified samesex families, and harassed them—and on Tuesday their false and erroneous information convinced the people of California that farm animals have more rights than a homosexual. Then Wednesday, they released a statement urging people to “act in a spirit of mutual respect,” and that “no one on either side should be vilified, intimidated, harassed, or subject to erroneous information.”

Patrick York

Salt Lake City

Guest Editorials by David Alder

am sickened by queers who tell

me to keep my head down, and keep silent. Spiteful, angry and vitriolic backlash from the queer community is not “going down to their level,” frankly because the LDS Church members and authorities who supported Prop 8 would never see their actions as such; in fact, they think they’re doing God’s work. So that argument, to me, is completely worthless. Let’s get real here: The meta-issue of “gay marriage” is that, by and large, conservative and religious people are taught to fear and loathe homosexuality. Teach what you will in your homes and churches. But if your religious judgments of “unclean” and “unworthy” are legislated in a public, secular sphere, thereby keeping me and my loved ones from the pursuit of happiness, it becomes an issue worth fighting over. One that continues to justify the need for further separation of church and state. To see the LDS authorities, which pride themselves upon teaching a “sacred” doctrine like free-agency, actively mobilize their

Shameful Role by Craig Fitzner

Editor, In Shakespeare’s Hamlet the line is stated, “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” It is a phrase often used these days to point to individuals who condemn homosexuals. The implication is that they make their arguments against homosexuality to disguise their own sexual identity. Can we say the pot is calling the kettle black? Of course not all people are hiding something in their closet when making their attacks. But, having been in the closet, we know the lengths an individual will take to keep their secrets safe. The closer an issue gets to the ‘tender spot’ of another’s closet, the more heated their attack. While it would be easy to fall into questioning the nature of others, raising this point during the current national debate about gay marriage is not the way to go. Coming ‘out’ is a personal event that should not be forced on anyone. It must come from within, at their pace, and in their time. Responding to our attackers in a personal manner will only push them into a corner with no exit. We need to keep the arguments, protests, and demonstrations free from personal attacks, while pointing to ourselves personally. It is our humanity we need to reveal, not that of our attackers.

that members of the LGBT community in Utah seem to want to defend the LDS Church, especially considering its shameful role in removing the rights of Californian gays and lesbians to marry. The LDS Church has horribly, and falsely slandered our community, our families, our very lives. Have we given them what they deserve, what they’ve given us? No. We’ve been far, far fairer and nicer to them then they’ve ever been to us, by a huge margin. So I fail then to understand why simply speaking about the truth of the church is wrong. The LDS Church has made the claim that marriage is (somehow) a religious institution (and right), and that marriage is only “supposed” to be between one man and one woman. The fact that the LDS Church doesn’t even follow this definition to this day seems to be unimportant to them. The fact that thousands of Mormon men believe they will be in polygamous marriages for all eternity when they die, seems not to matter. The fact that gay marriage in California has nothing to do with schools, or churches, or religious rights seemes to be irrelevant to the LDS Church, and its cooperatives in the Prop 8 propaganda campaign. The blatant lies the church propagated among its membership to immorally convince them to take away the rights of their friends, neighbors and family members seem to now be ignored, swept

Dallas, Texas

under the rug. The LDS Church has lied (yet again) to the world, has used despicable tactics in order to get its religious views propagated and legally enshrined. And all this is just regarding proposition 8 in California. None of this takes into account the thousands of men and women who have killed themselves because the LDS Church makes suicide much preferable to living the “sinful” life of a homosexual. It doesn’t take into account the men whose genitals were shocked with strong electric currents so that they would magically become straight (or at least not gay). This doesn’t take into account the years and years of emotional and mental abuse the church has meted out to the LGBT community just here in Utah. So when members of my own community tell me I shouldn’t protest the church because it might offend someone, I get very angry. We’ve already taken the high road by not stooping to their level by lying and deceiving. We are simply telling the truth about the church and its behavior. We will never be allowed to exercise the rights that are already ours if we don’t soundly, publicly and unhesitatingly denounce our oppressors. The LDS Church has put itself up as an open opponent to us and to our rights. They actively oppress us and keep us from our civil and human rights simply because they think their god tells them to do so. Why do we let them? Why are we silent? For too long we’ve let them do

this to us and finally, this past Friday, there was a real outcry against it. We cannot let this momentum die, and we cannot allow ourselves to be silenced. I am not advocating disrespect or violence. Rather I am advocating that we simply tell the truth. The truth is that the LDS Church is openly anti-gay and wishes to keep all gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer people from their rights. They wish to perpetually enshrine us as second-class citizens. We must speak out, and we must not stop. We must cease allowing ourselves to be oppressed by a large and powerful, but immoral and inhumane institution. We live in a country that (supposedly) has a separation of church and state. Let us again be a non-religious country where churches have no say in politics and government, but where the free exercise of rights is available to all. We must fight for this against all who would oppose us. Because we are in the right. We have no desire to oppress or harm anyone. We have no desire to put down anyone else’s family or tell them they’re not quite as good as us. We are all equal, whether we’re gay, Mormon, atheist, or straight, it doesn’t matter. We all inherently possess the same rights; and it is time for this country, and this state to live up to its potential and to the standards set by the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution. Enough is enough. We are equal. Let us take our rights and not allow any person, organization, religion or false sympathy for our oppressors to keep them from us. Q

Action = Reaction

Personal Attacks

Miles Olsen

members, utilize tithed resources and engage in lobbying the removal of rights as a global non-profit organization is not only unethical, it is illegal. How much more reason do you need to be angry? That’s oppression, folks! The queer community’s “reaction” is justifiable in its anger, because it is an immediate, outer reflection — a mirror image — of the passive-aggressive, inner hatred held by those who enable and fund discrimination like Prop 8 and Amendment 3. If it means standing up to the bully in the playground who says I can’t be on the swing set because it’s “his,” I’m damn well gonna push him out of the way and put my butt right where he doesn’t want it. It belongs to everyone. Not just the privileged and the powerful — or the religious. It is also the closeted or self-loathing queer persons who seem to continuously justify bigots’ behavior and apologize for other queers’ reactions. (Or try to calm the crowd down. God forbid that we actually demonstrate just how pissed off we really are! Don’t wanna ruffle any feathers, now.) When you’ve

been socialized, indoctrinated from birth to believe that being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender/transsexual is “evil, sinful, immoral, unnatural, rebellious or sick,” it’s easy to see why you would continue to defend your oppressor. That’s what patriarchy does to you: you somehow buy into the notion that “father knows best.” So, I was frustrated by Jacob Whipple who told the rally crowd, “I want this to be... respectful,” etc. The church has hardly shown any “respect” or “civility” in this matter and frankly I was pissed. Having someone tell me what my feelings should be and admonish me to be “compassionate” about those who actively seek to remove rights from me and people I love is to invalidate my true feelings on the matter. I wanna get just as mean as the church. I wanna push back even harder. I wanna get right into the face of those septuagenarian bigots and give ‘em what for. How much more reason do you need before you’ll really get angry? How many queers have to die, worldwide, because of a culture that rationalizes discrimination and violence with archaic scripture and sophistry? How long before you’ll finally stand up and knock that bully in the nose? Time’s a-wastin’ people. Get busy fighting for what’s rightfully yours or get busy dying. It’s that serious. Q

am concerned with the degree

Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8 | issue 116 | QSa lt L a k e | 21

Queer Gnosis Queer Children of Zion by Troy Williams

Nov. 5. On the dawn of the Obama landslide, gays around the nation realized that we are still secondclass citizens. And the queer uprising began. Across the nation gays took to the street. Even in Salt Lake City. I have been flooded by text messages, emails and phone calls from folks thanking me for my talk at the Nov. 7 rally. I appreciate the kind words and support. I also know that for some my rhetoric was too “in your face” for their tastes. I understand their concerns. There are many gays who want to allow the LDS church to set the rules of polite “civil” discourse. In my opinion, they seem to be suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. But there are many different opinions about which strategy is most effective. The truth is it takes multiple strategies and several diverse voices to push our movement forward. Some need to be outraged, while others need to be more cautiously political. But never underestimate the impact of the radical voice. They weren’t called the “Stonewall Riots” because people wanted to gather around and politely share their stories to educate the homophobic public. People tore through the streets because their basic rights as humans were being subjugated. For my part, I’m tired of being nice. I’m not here to make “gay” trendy. And I’m not going to politely acquiesce as the Mormon Church and other religions bully their way into our private lives. We cannot afford to play by their rules anymore. If that makes some conservative folks uneasy, good! In the politics of the playground, the best way to deal with a bully is to boldly stand up to him or her. The following are my complete comments from the November 7th rally. My name is Troy Williams and I am a gay Mormon. We are the queer children of Zion — and we have gathered here today to change the world! Beyond being gay, we are first citizens of the United States of America! We believe that all men, women and trans people are created equal. We are endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights. We stand here today to claim our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Our lives are not up for your vote. Mr. Monson, the LDS church is on omething happened on

notice! We will no longer be shamed and we will no longer be silent. After years of being told that we were deviants — that we were perverts, that we were abominations before God — we have found our voice. We are politically organized, we are angry and we are going to continue to work for the freedom and equality of all people. As children we were told stories of our Mormon ancestors. We were mobbed and murdered and driven

Don’t speak to us about defending traditional marriage! You are polygamists— and you are all hypocrites. across this country. We were hated for being different, for having a gold Bible — and yes, for our alternative marriage lifestyle. I am the descendent of Mormon polygamists. How many of you are descendents of polygamy? The LDS church is embarrassed by our polygamist history. They are eager to prove to the world that they are good, honest, monogamous, gay-hating conservative Christians — just like the rest of their coalition. They don’t want America to think they are like their fundamentalist cousins in Texas. But here is the deal: If the LDS Church is going to keep lying about us, it’s time we started telling the truth about them. Mormons provided the largest funding for a campaign to amend the California constitution to define marriage as one man married to one woman. But polygamy is still an eternal doctrine of the LDS church. Mormons believe that families can be sealed for eternity in their temple. Mormon men can today — in this temple right here — be sealed to multiple women in heaven. In fact, three members of

22 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 116 | Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8

the Quorum of the Twelve who have denounced gay marriage are, right now, polygamists in heaven. Their first wives died and they have been sealed to their second wives for time and all eternity. Russell M. Nelson is a polygamist in Heaven. Dallin H. Oaks is a polygamist in Heaven. L. Tom Perry is a polygamist in Heaven. Russell, Dallin, and L. Tom: Don’t speak to us about defending traditional marriage. You are polygamists — and you are all hypocrites. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. I’ve just had a new revelation! How about we create a new referendum? Let’s work to pass a Celestial Marriage Amendment. Let’s pass a law that will define marriage in heaven as one man and one woman. Let’s nullify the celestial plural marriages of all Mormon General Authorities and members alike. Outside of this temple we stand together. This is our Utah Stonewall. We are not going back into the closets. We are not going to stay out of the Capitol. We will not allow you to make us strangers in our own state and in our own country. This is just the beginning of our outrage. I encourage all of you to be public. Place your dissent in the center of public discourse. Write letters to the editors. Write op-eds. Lobby at the Capitol. Run for political office. Work campaigns. Stir things up. We will not hide our faces and we will not silence our voices any longer. Today it is time to end the politics of exclusion. On Tuesday America elected our first African-American president. A man who 30 years ago was not considered worthy to enter into the Mormon temple. President-elect Obama said that we must “recognize ourselves in one another; to understand that we are our brother’s keeper; we are our sister’s keeper; that, in the words of Dr. King, we are all tied together in a single garment of destiny.” Let me make this clear: I am proud of my Mormon heritage. I am proud of my Mormon ancestors who braved the long trek across the land. And let it be known that if the civil liberties of Mormons were ever in jeopardy, we would stand in their defense as well. Because that is what the human family must do for one another. Let’s stand together with our new president and fight passionately for a new politics of inclusion, of acceptance, of love, of equality and justice. Let us stand in partnership with all oppressed people around the world. Separate we are a minority, together we comprise an astonishing majority. Are you ready to change the world? Then Let’s make history! Thank you. Q Troy Williams blogs at queergnosis.com.

Snaps & Slaps SNAP: Proposition 8 Protests If there can be anything good about Proposition 8 passing in California, it’s the way gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender people and straight allies have pulled together across the country to march, demonstrate and speak out against it. Like organizer Jacob Whipple, we thought maybe 1,000 people would show up at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ headquarters on Nov. 7. Seeing thousands more made us tremble. At the end of a year where U.S. voters elected a new president promising hope and change, we think that something very big is about to change for gays everywhere. But in order for that change to happen, remember to keep this momentum going. SLAP: Mormon Church Vandalism A few days after Proposition 8 passed vandals targeted a number of LDS churches across the valley. There’s no evidence to suggest that angry gays are responsible, but of course that doesn’t stop the speculation. If any of “our people” were behind it, they need a refresher course in activism 101 — specifically, that fighting fire with fire just burns everyone. And if the vandals were just looking to stir up more animosity between Mormons and gays, they need to go to a place that could use the trouble (we suggest the vanishing polar ice caps). Of course, the vandals could have just been bored, petty thugs trying out the BB guns they just ripped off while hopped up on Boone’s Farm. In which case, they just need to get lives. SNAP: Equality Utah Because nothing is more dignified or classy then asking an organization — in this case the Mormon Church — to live up to its promises. In this case, not to oppose health insurance, inheritance or hospital visitation rights for gay couples. We’ll be watching the 2009 legislative session with even more interest than usual.

Ruth Half Full by Ruth Hackford-Peer

Election Day, I watched the returns come in at a downtown hotel along with Equality Utah and the State Democratic Party with whom we shared space. Now, Democrats in the state of Utah typically don’t have too much to smile about, but as you can probably guess there were plenty of smiles that night. For once, Democrats had won something, unlike during the last two national presidential election parties I attended: In 2004 when Amendment 3 passed in Utah and not a person — not a single person — I voted for won; and 2000 when I stayed up until dawn to learn more than I could have ever imagined about hanging chad and recounts and Ohio and Florida. But this year’s party was different. I was brought to tears by Barack Obama’s acceptance speech, and even John McCain’s comments felt important. Historic. I watched as the first African-American became President n

of the United States and it felt good. Like the glass was not only half full, but filling up even more. Then I woke up to a TV commentator saying that we now live in a post-racial society where racism is no longer a factor in one’s success. I’m afraid that many people share this attitude, and worse, that Obama’s success will be held up as proof that racism no longer exists. After all, it’s more exciting to talk about the first black president than it is to discuss the daily realities of racism, the legacy of anti-miscegenation laws, Jim Crow, Japanese-American internment camps, indeed slavery. All this, to say nothing of the achievement gap between white and minority students, and the connections between classism, racism, sexism and heterosexism. I also woke up to discover that on the same day we elected the first African-American president, we sent

Chris Buttars back to the state senate. Buttars, notorious for picking on gays and black (remember his “black baby” comment on a bill he didn’t like during this last session?). Buttars, who tried to sabotage the Salt Lake City Mutual Commitment Registry, and was ultimately responsible for the kooky name it has now. My friend thinks anybody who voted for Buttars should have to wear a pin that reads, “racist homophobe for Buttars.” I know, it’s a little too close to Hitler’s Germany, but I get her point. I woke up to learn that anti-gay initiatives passed in California, Arizona, Florida and Arkansas. I think the most hateful of these is Arkansas’s, which banned gays from adopting children. Note to homophobes: Gay adoption bans do not stop us from having children. They just leave the children unprotected under the law and rip them away from parents. They do not allow well-meaning state institutions to look at what is in the best interest of the child. Oh, and they cost the state a lot of money — a lot of money. Of course, the Arkansas (and Utah) adoption issues would be fixed if we allowed gay marriage. But marriage will be stripped away from same-sex couples in California. Conservative religious institutions including the LDS church were successful in getting their definition of

morality enshrined in a civil institution. Is the United States of America on the way to being the Theocracy of Christian States? Are millions of Americans suffering from cognitive dissonance when they believe (or purport to believe) in liberty and justice for all, yet allow their churches — indeed their interpretation of their god — to restrict equal protection? I woke up to my son Riley asking, “Now that Obama is President, does that mean the war will end tomorrow?” I woke up. But I woke up to thousands of my closest friends gathering peacefully at City Creek Park and walking in solidarity around Temple Square to protest the LDS church’s involvement in stripping away civil rights from a class of people. I woke up to chants of “separate church and state” and “What do we want? Equality. When do we want it? Now!” I woke up to my brothers and sisters across California doing the same. I woke up to activism and involvement and education. And waking up felt different this time. Because when I woke up, I woke up to the reality of an African-American President. And I woke up to the memory of those two little girls watching their father claim the presidency. Yes, the glass is not full. But it is half full. And finally we are pouring liquid into that glass. Q

Julie Silveous Real Estate Agent

WITH: NOW

MOBILE: 801.502.4507

I know the Salt Lake market, its intricacies and subtleties, intimately. I do my homework! No guesswork, no wishful thinking. I recommend realistic asking prices that won’t turn buyers away. I invest the time and the effort – evenings, weekends, whatever it takes! I will keep you informed, in the picture, regularly, and without fail. You deserve nothing less!

julie@juliesilveous.com www.juliesilveous.com Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8 | issue 116 | QSa lt L a k e | 23

2 4 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 116 | Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8

Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8 | issue 116 | QSa lt L a k e | 25

Bullshattuck Whose Fault Is It, Anyway?

by Ryan Shattuck

ot many people know what

I’m about to reveal. In 1985, a teenager jumped into a modified DeLorean and accidentally time traveled to the year 1955. After unwittingly preventing his future parents from falling in love, he then concocted a plan that resulted in his parents falling in love after all and consequently conceiving him. As I mentioned, not many people know this. From this, we learn two things:

GRASSROOTS BROADCASTING LIVES ONLINE

One, most people rarely have the opportunity to go back in time to correct their past mistakes. Two, Robert Zemeckis didn’t feel it was necessary to make Back to the Future Part IV, and he is a better person for it. The gay community currently finds itself in a unique situation. Upon the passage of Proposition 8, gay men and women across the United States began organizing in an unprecedented way, protesting the stripping of their right to marry in California. Having attended a protest in Salt Lake City myself, I am witness to the fact that the gay community — when united in a common goal — can use a grassroots movement to catapult itself into the national dialogue and force itself to be heard. Stealing the fundamental right for gay men and women to marry tore out our heart, and we will react by tearing out the metaphorical hearts of our opponents (metaphorically — I probably don’t condone cannibalism). We’re angry. We’re motivated. We’re unified. So why the hell didn’t this happen before the election? Consider the following timeline of Proposition 8: June 2, 2008: The anti-gay marriage Proposition 8 qualifies for the November election ballot after acquiring enough signatures. noV. 1, 2008: Ohmygod, did you see what Brian was wearing for Halloween last night? He is such a little slut! noV. 2, 2008: I am so hung over this morning that it would take a bottle of aspirin and a loaded revolver to get rid of this headache. noV. 3, 2008: Just kidding. Suicide is never funny. Let’s go out for margaritas. noV. 4, 2008: Approximately 52 percent of California residents vote to ban gay marriage. noV. 5, 2008: The gay community becomes angry. And wishes it had a time-traveling DeLorean. As The Beatles once famously said, “You say you want a revolution? Then what the hell were you doing yesterday, you lazy, procrastinating asshole?” They then followed that up with “We’re bigger than Jesus,” which is kind of an odd answer, as the question was, “How do you take your coffee?” I do not ignore the fact that many people in California, Holy Utah, and other states donated countless hours and dollars to ensuring that Proposition 8 did not pass. Some may even be surprised to learn that more money

was raised to defeat the proposition than to support it. As a more successful (and more attractive) demographic, it only makes sense that gay men and women would raise more money than the Mormon families juggling a dozen or two children. Nevertheless, we did not match the same unhealthy level of motivation and fanaticism as those who supported Proposition 8. Supporters of the proposition took to the streets. They organized in their churches. They sold off some of their possessions to raise money. They spent their weekends going door to door, and making sure that everyone knew that gay marriage would lead to people marrying animals, which would only lead to people marrying garden tools. And everyone knows a weed whacker makes a terrible lover. I’ll begin the public castigation with myself. Today, I am angry. I will attend protests, I will donate money and I will sign petitions. I will speak out against the confusion, hypocrisy and even bigotry of the religious faith that raised me for two decades. I will have friends and family disagree with me over my strong belief in equal rights. Over the past week, I’ve even been largely disowned by some of my family who are angry that I protested outside of Temple Square. On an unrelated note, anyone interested in hosting a QSaltLake columnist for Thanksgiving? While I am filled with rage, action and ambition today, I was filled with lethargy, inaction and passiveness yesterday. And I wasn’t the only one. Did we assume that Proposition 8 would not pass? Did we assume that other members of the gay community would do the work for us? Did we assume that our families would always love us, and we would happily agree to disagree? Did we assume that Bert and Ernie are more than roommates? Did we assume it would be presumptuous to make assumptions? We may get another chance at gay marriage in another state. We may even get another chance in California. Hopefully we’ve learned something from this year’s election: Destiny does not favor the apathetic. We can no longer assume that Michael Aaron or Scott McCoy or Christine Johnson or Troy Williams or Equality Utah or other leaders in Utah’s gay community will do the work for us. It’s time to put down the cosmopolitan, turn off the porn and take to the streets. After putting on pants, of course. We’re on the cusp of a historic battle for equal rights. We’re marking a path through uncharted territory. As Doc Brown said at the end of Back to the Future: “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.” He was obviously referring to gay marriage. Q

26 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 116 | Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8

Ruby Ridge Island Issues by Ruby Ridge

herubs,

I have a million things that I would love to say about the passing of Proposition 8 in California, but I’m sure they will be covered by our other writers and your own letters of outrage. However, I will just say this: Given all of the distortions, false arguments and claims of victimization spewing from the LDS church, I can’t believe I actually miss Fred “God Hates Fags” Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church. At least they have the guts to be honest about their hatred towards gay people. I respect that kind of honest bigotry more than the insulting “we love gay people and always have” talking point the LDS church is pushing, now that it has been caught with its hands in the electoral cookie jar. OK, that’s out of my system. Now to the topic at hand. Can somebody puhlease tell me what on God’s green earth is going on with our Polynesians? Has their manufacturer’s warranty expired or something? Because suddenly, kittens, it seems that their wheels are starting to come off and they’re losing their minds. Seriously, what’s the deal? In the last few months we have had three appalling assaults on gay men by Polynesians, and a bunch of Polynesian gang-related drive-bys, assaults and robberies. We even had homicide where several Polynesians beat the crap out of a guy and stuffed his dead body into a Tuff Shed. And then, when I watched the Proposition 8 protest

outside of the L.A. Temple, who was creating havoc on the sidewalk? A three hundred-pound Polynesian guy going berserk. I don’t know what it is, but something bizarro is happening in our Pacific Islander communities.

The older Polynesian folks I know are happy, immersed in their families and proud of their community Now before you start firing up the angry e-mails saying, “Ruby, why are you such a hater towards Polynesians?” you need to know this: I adore Polynesians. My brother-in-law Tui is from the Cook Islands (which explains why my niece and nephew are dropdead gorgeous and could model if they wanted to). I spent three years living on the North Shore of Oahu where my neighbors, church members and work mates were all Samoan, Tongan or Hawaiian, and treated me just like family. I have traveled extensively through American Samoa, Western Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti, Tonga and all of the Hawaiian Islands. I have played rugby with Polynesians (I still have cleat marks on my left leg to prove it). So, rest assured, this is not coming

from a bigoted, hateful place. But I have to say, kittens, I am really concerned. The more I watch the younger generation of Islander kids, the more I think that they seem so different from their parents and grandparents, and not in a good way. The older Polynesian folks I know are happy, immersed in their families and proud of their community. A few weeks ago I watched three teenage Polynesian girls go off at a little Asian lady in West Valley for no reason. They were rude, intimidating and had no respect for anyone. I had seen that kind of selfish, entitled behavior from Polynesian athletes in college (though granted, that’s a spoiled athlete thing, not necessarily a racial thing), but these were just kids. One Saturday morning, I was eating at a Burger King and two Polynesian guys in their late 20s were swearing and talking so loud about their gang activities that the entire restaurant (mainly families with kids) was just dumbfounded and terrorized. It was pure aggression and posturing, and to prove what? Where is this hostility coming from in the younger Polynesians and why? I know some Tongan and Samoan families who (despite their religious beliefs) are very supportive of their gay children, siblings and extended family members, but I worry when I see what drugs, alcohol and violence are doing to this next generation. I especially worry about vulnerable gay and lesbian kids who are stuck somewhere in between Polynesian and American culture without a lot of guidance. This is me just thinking out loud, but somehow we need to get together with the elders and Polynesian community leaders and get some kind of constructive dialogue going about these youngsters. We probably have more in common than we think. Ciao, babies! Q

THE DOG SHOW

 QSaltLake Seeking Fun Office Neighbors

Sugar House Office Space Ava i l a b l e N ow

Newly-remodeled building on 21st South in the heart of Sugar House. Huge parking lot. Gas/Electric included. Fun, liberal neighbors. Great energy,

3-Room office 575 sq. ft., $455/mo

2-Room office Southern exposure 520 sq. ft., $550/mo

4-Room office Southern exposure 755 sq. ft., $790/mo

THE DOG SHOW GROOMING 1508 S 1500 E SALT LAKE CITY UTAH HOURS: TUES-SAT 8AM-5:30PM 801-466-6100

THE DOG SHOW KENNELS

4053 S 7200 W WEST VALLEY CITY U TAH HOURS: MON-FRI 9-11AM, 3-5PM SAT 9-11AM 801-250-2553 1-888-838-2553

GROOMING & KENNELS

Dennis 359-6686 

Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8 | issue 116 | QSa lt L a k e | 27

Q SaltLake Holiday Shopping Guide ’08 The gayest shopping guide on the planet is right here in your hands. And where else to start but Village Christmas Shoppe in Gardner Village. Owned by mildmannered bear of a man, Jim Lauscher, they are the only place in the state with a wide variety of Christmas gear, from camp to exquisite and in every color of the rainbow. A perfect centerpiece for any gay household is the chisel-chested merman complete with martini or the oh-so-fabulous mermaid with her wine spritzer ($75). These are hefty, well-made pieces that stand (or sit) about 18” tall and have an assortment of matching 7” beefcake and cheesecake  ornaments ($12.50-$19, though they were on sale for 20% off when we stopped by). You have to stop in just to see these pieces and say hi to Jim if for no other reason. 1100 West 78th South #18A, 801-569-0320

At CAHOOTS on 9th & 9th, we stocked up on calendars — Desperate Housewives ($13.99) for the office and Men on a Mission ($15.95) for home.  For those of us trying to get our loved one to quit smoking, perhaps this “Jesus Hates it When You Smoke” ashtray will do the trick. Probably not though. ($11.95)  And how could you possibly go to school or work without a retro tin lunch pail? ($12.95) 878 East 9th South, 801-538-0606. Downtown at RETROSPECT WATER & LIGHT there’s all so many elegant and classy decorative items to spruce up your home and even garden (although it is wintertime). In the trendy 15th & 15th neighborhood is DOG SHOW GROOMING where there’s a number of fabulous gifts for your naughty-but-you-can’tstay-mad-at pet.  For your canine pals who require only the finest, they have an assortment of high-end dog bowls, dishes, frames, etc. The “Good Dog” bowl separates for dishwasher convenience. ($69.95)  We couldn’t believe the great deal on the large dog and cat ceramic treat jars — $14.95!  And though Xena Warrior Puppy doesn’t understand the concept of the game “tugo-war” or such things as squeakie toys, I’m sure some of your furry friends will appreciate the “Squeakless” line of toys. ($7.99– $9.99) 1508 S. 15th East, 801-466-6100. 28 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 116 | Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8

1508 S. 15th East, 801-466-6100

We haven’t seen a collection of true Arts & Crafts pottery in Utah  anywhere but Retrospect. (Prices vary, Ephraim Pottery “Breath of Spring” shown, $279)  We were, of course, intrigued by this red glass jewelry holder. It’s trey-gay. ($15)  New to the store is a collection of copper weather vanes, which can also be hung indoors as decor. ($374–549) 68 East 7th South, 801-517-3876. 68 East 7th South, 801-517-3876

TWIGS has some fabulous decorative pieces for your home.

Does your lover need a fashion upgrade? Are you embarrased by their odd style? Then SPARK/COCKERS is great one-stop shopping to turn your lover from Mad Magazine into GQ.

Ray will do his magic with incredible arrangements for the holiday tables in a wide assortment of fun vases.  The Christmas sleigh by Fitz & Floyd is an elegant touch at $49. The metal Pickup Truck planter was our favorite at $26.25.

For the feline lovers (like JoSelle, if she’s  on your shopping list), this Aryeh knit cat shirt will get you a smooch that’ll leave you purring ($40).  This Toku-brand shirt has to be seen to be appreciated. Bedazzled, stitched, printed, it’s a work of art. ($69) Speaking of seen to be appreciated, the new Ed Hardy collection of briefs  are wild and the packaging is equally impressive. If you wouldn’t mind coming by the office so we can see to appreciate the package ... ($39)

Looking for something exotic, eccentric,

 Ray also has a large collection of framed, mounted butterfly specimens which are absolutely beautiful. ($14–54) 1616 S. 11th East, 801-596-2322

erotic or elating, then visit BLUE BOUTIQUE — there’s something for pretty much any style, behavior or fantasy.  These coffin jewelry/paraphenalia boxes are for your favorite goths or cemetary enthusiasts on your list. ($22.99–$37.99) The Ed Hardy collection also has a perfume set with skulls in a pink surrounding. Whodathunk? ($74.99)

629 S. State Street, 801-467-1574

1383 E 21st South, 801-485-2072

Looking for fun partying gifts, those revolved around the all-important booze? THE BEER NUT can help you accomplish this task with flair. These were so rainbow-y that we had to mention them. Beer Nut has an assortment of wine glass charms to help keep your friends’ lips off your glasses at your power-soirées. ($19.95) In these hard economic times, it may be best to bite the bullet and make your own beer and wine instead of buying them and paying for everyone else’s childen’s education. These kits have all the tools you need, just add the ingredients, also available at Beer Nut. ($84.95– $120.95) 1200 S. State Street, 801-531-8182

More than fresh flowers and roses,

There’s no Christmas like a naughty one, and to fulfill those urges under the tree, MISCHIEVOUS Pleasures is the place to be. (Blame Tony for that little ditty.)  The naughty elves at Mischievous tell us that the We Vibe Personal Massager is self-stimulation 2.0. Inserted properly, it hits all the good parts. ($130)  And for the boys’ good parts, they say the Rude Boy Personal Massager is the only partner you’ll ever need. ($79.99)

 And lastly, who could resist the cutest travel sized personal massager, the “I Rub My Wormie”? ($19.99) 559 S. 3rd West, 801-530-3100

So, get out in this nice weather before it turns nasty and shop to your heart’s delight knowing that you are supporting locally owned, gay-friendly businesses with your hard-earned dollars. Q

Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8 | issue 116 | QSa lt L a k e | 29

Q A&E Gay Agenda I’m Thankful for Big Momma by Tony Hobday

The Fabulous Fun Bus to Wendover was sold out and a few just showed up Saturday hoping to get a seat. Because a couple of girls were stuck on lesbian time, these stragglers were able to board. Now I’ve endured several of these bus trips in the past, but I must say this was the most rowdy fabulous trip yet. I believe I’m speaking for Michael when I say ‘thank you to all of you who joined us, who believe in QSaltLake. We can’t do it without you and we are extremely humbled by your support.’

Q Egyptian Theatre Company presents an adaptation of the Tony award-winning musical The Music Man. Charming con man Harold Hill poses as a boys’ band leader and sells instruments and uniforms to naive townsfolk before skipping town with the cash. But in River City, Iowa, Marian the librarian sees

SATURDAY — Because our non-profit organization QCares is committed to ousting meth in the community, I thought it’d be diligent to encourage everyone to see a screening of Aftermath of Meth. In 2001, a Mexican drug ring based in Ogden targeted a Wyoming Indian reservation with more than 100 pounds of Meth. Within five years, assaults tripled, thefts doubled and child abuse increased 85 percent. The documentary exposes the ripple effects of Meth abuse, including sick and neglected children, environmental damage, thinly stretched police departments and overburdened health care facilities. 3pm, The Leonardo at Library Square, 210 E. 500 South. Free, 746-7000 or slcfilmcenter. org.

Q OK, so Michael and Gene are tired of all the moaning and whining that Big Momma is never mentioned in Q. Well, here it goes, it’s finally arrived: the Big Momma Birthday Bash. It’s your birthday and you can swill beer if you want to ... I would cry too

december 4 Red Ribbon Party kimptonhotels.com december 12–14 Salt Lake Men’s Choir Holiday Concert, saltlakemenschoir.org january 7–11, 2009 Utah Gay & Lesbian Ski Week, Park City gayskiing.org january 9–11, 2009 Queer Spirit Winter Retreat, queerspirit.org january 15–25, 2009 Sundance Film Festival sundance.org february 13–15, 2009 QUAC Ski N Swim quacquac.org april 17, 2009 Day Of Silence dayofsilence.org

June 6–7, 2009 Utah Pride utahpride.org June 20, 2009 HRC Utah Gala hrcutah.org

7pm, through Saturday, Jeanne Wagner Theatre, Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. Broadway. Tickets $18, 355-ARTS or arttix.org.

8pm, Energy Solutions Arena, 301 W. South Temple. Tickets $45–125, 325-SEAT or ticketmaster.com.

Major Events of the Community

Spring City

FRIDAY — In the immortal words of Lady GaGa, “I wanna take a ride on your disco stick,” we are all wanting to take a Joyride. Repertory Dance Theatre is ready to takes us on one. Enjoy a lighter side of RDT with an evening of fresh and innovative dance. An eclectic and entertaining mix of old and new favorites.

Q I’d go down with the Titanic for Leonardo Di Caprio, too. Anyhoo, the woman who recorded Titanic’s oscar-winning theme “My Heart Will Go On,” and who is a major diva for many a queer guy, is the incomparable Celine Dion. Rejoice in her illustrious career tonight ... I hear she puts on one hell of a concert!

Save the Date

July 24–26, 2009 Utah Bear Ruckus utahbears.com August 7–8, 2009 through him. When Hill helps her younger brother, Marian begins to fall in love with Harold and, in turn, he falls for her.

7pm, through Dec. 28, Egyptian Theatre, 328 Main Street, Park City. Tickets $16–30, 435649-9371 or parkcityshows.com.

30 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 116 | Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8

if I was as way old as you. Tehehe ... Big Momma, you know you’re the only one for me. Happy Birthday you cantankerous cutie! Mwah! Time: Big Momma is usually there pounding on the door at 1:57pm, Club Try-Angles, a private club for members, 251 W. 900 South. Free to members, 364-3203 or clubtryangles.com.

Redrock Women’s Music Festival, Torrey redrockwomensfest.com

Email arts@qsaltlake.com for consideration to be included in Save the Date.

Q A few years back I saw the Grammy-winning band ColdPlaY in concert at Saltair. It was a pretty decent concert; entertaining, well-played and actually live, not in Memorex. Plus lead singer Chris Martin is sweet surrender on the piano. Viva La Vida (Live the Life) with this talented band from England, I really think it’ll give you “A Rush of Blood to the Head.”

Juan Carlos Claudio, a Utah Pioneer in Dance

pelletti and Monica Campbell explore intricacies of human identity, preservation, intimacy and idealism. Juan will present two pieces: A ‘Dance for the Camera’ film (multimedia) called “Burnt” and “The One & the Other,” a dance duet featuring Graham Brown. Based entirely on Juan’s childhood, “Burnt” examines the magnetic forces between sexuality, religion, betrayal and tolerance. “The One & the Other” is a highly physical interpretive piece in which two men seemingly struggle for control of their emotions and feelings for each other. It’s almost barbaric in context, but also soft and genuine. Identities in Transition is part of Juan’s preparation to earn a Masters of Fine Arts. As an extraordianry dancer and talented choreographer, and in terms of his extensive vision as an artist, Juan Carlos Claudio is not only a respected community member, he is a Utah pioneer.

By Tony Hobday

Juan Carlos Claudio, a seasoned dancer with Ririe Woodbury Dance Company, is not only honored in the dance community, he is a quiet man of standing in our community as well. Many in the community may personally know him, many may have only heard of him or seen him perform on stage, and many may not even have heard of Juan Carlos Claudio. Regardless of the level of interaction with Juan, he is a Utah pioneer, as puns will go. Struggling with his relationship with his father and with affection for other men, Juan has forged a way, through his many years in dance, to understand these struggles for himself. And, hopefully through the process help others open their minds, to appreciate same-sex relationships. This month Juan returns to academia with three other professional dancers/choreographers in a literally “transitional” performance. In Identities in Transition: A Culmination of Graduate Thesis Choreography, Juan, along with Emily Fifer, Corinne Cap-

7:30pm, Energy Solutions Arena, 301 W. South Temple. Tickets $49.50–97.50, 325SEAT or ticketmaster.com.

MONDAY — “Before you stuff your face, come run the race” during the Utah AIDS Foundation’s 5K TurKeY TroT. The fund raiser benefits the foundation and the AIDS Fight at Campus Connection. Just remember if it’s raining, don’t try to drink it, you may very well drown.

Registration 3pm, race begins at 3:45pm, Utah Valley University campus, 800 W. University Parkway, Orem. Entry fee $10, 487-2323 or utahaids.org.

TUESDAY — Utah Pride Center and the SLC Film Center present TraIned In The WaYs of Men, a provocative film about the complexities of gender identity. Based on actual events, four men discover that 17-year-old Gwen Araujo, the girl with whom they had been intimate, was biologically male. They beat and strangled her to death. They claimed they were provoked by what they saw as Gwen’s deceit.

Identities in Transition performs Nov. 20–22 at Marriott Center for Dance, 330 S. 1500 East, UofU. Tickets $7–10, 581-7100 or kingtix.com.

Odyssey Dance Theatre returns with its critically acclaimed and inspiring full-length production based on the classic holiday film -

6:30pm, City Library, 210 E. 400 South. Free, 746-7000 or slcfilmcenter.org.

Choreographed by Derryl Yeager t e d a nd – Direc ller, Original Score by Sam Card i r h T f o r o o n t a Cre

FRIDAY — Directed and choreographed by Derryl Yeager, Odyssey Dance Theatre’s full-length production of IT’s a Wonderful lIfe has become a holiday tradition. Driven by circumstance to the point of no return, George Bailey gets the chance to see the world as it would have been without him, and he realizes his ordinary life is really extraordinary. This unique and creative adaptation is fun for the whole family.

“A Perfect Gift!...” - Deseret News

“Broadway Worthy!...” - Salt Lake Tribune

7:30pm, through Dec. 6, Kingsbury Hall, 1395 E. Presidents Circle, UofU. Tickets $20–$40, 581-7100 or kingtix.com.

Juan Carlos Claudio

ERIK ISAKSON

UPCOMING EVENTS

deC. 12-13 Salt Lake Men’s Choir concert, saltlakemenschoir.org deC. 19 Neil Diamond, ES Arena Jan. 9 Suzanne Westenhoefer, Rose Wagner

R T

Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8 | issue 116 | QSa lt L a k e | 3 1

Nov. 28 – Dec. 6 Kingsbury Hall Tickets: 581-7100 or www.odysseydance.com

e Rat ily ! Fam ilable Ava

The Real Kurt Bestor Stands Up

R T

Interview by Tony Hobday

ocal emmy award-winning composer

Kurt Bestor is much more than a “Mr. Christmas” icon to blue-haired ladies in their Jesus jammies; he’s more than an assumption. He’s a liberalist, humanitarian, Democrat, humorist, entertainer, ex-Mormon and scooter rider. Born into a musical family, Kurt has been lucky and grateful to follow in the footsteps of family members such as his grandfather and great-uncle. Just in recent years, though, he has started making his own imprint, on Utah particularly; one not wholly accepted by his family. However, with the support of his Kenyan wife, Kurt can no longer be a “plastic boy, a fake.” Kurt talks with QSaltLake (he’s a faithful reader, by the way) about 20 years of Christmas concerts, the joy of being a composer and David Archuleta. He also voices his opinion on the passage of California’s Prop 8.

TONY HOBDAY: Let’s go back to the beginning, to your background in music and training.

KURT BESTOR: I don’t really remeber having a background in music. I just remember music being a part of me. Genetically, my grandfather played trumpet with Tommy Dorsey. My great-uncle wrote the “J-E-L-L-O” song for the commercial, which is apropos here in Utah. He also wrote “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?” So that’s kind of the genetic component. My junior year in high school I remember seeing Jaws, and I was sitting there in the theater and it kind of hit me when I heard the great music composed by John Williams. I thought to myself, “that’s a job. Someone got paid to do that. That’s what I want to be when I grow up.” Then right out of high school I got a job on the Donnie & Marie show writing music and playing the trumpet. It was a great gig. Then I went to BYU. It wasn’t a music school in those days but they had a very good jazz program and a great composition program. So I matriculated there. I didn’t quite graduate ... I graduated later, but I left school to write music for commercials which led into writing music for television shows and film. So I really didn’t go to a graduate school or academy of music. I kind of got my big break in TV music, writing for ABC Sports, which I like to call “jock rock.” I also studied at the Sundance institute I was a film composing fellow where i had the chance to work with some of the great film composers of our time.

TH: What’s your process in composing a musical piece?

KB: Typically what happens is I have a deadline in my head. Like right now I have a deadline for this Christmas show coming up and people are buying tickets and so I better get it done. So that panic tends to spur me on. I don’t have alot of time to sit down and wait for the muses to come. I have a task and I kind of put myself in that place. Then I usually sit down at a keyboard — although I have written a song on a ski lift before — and thanks to computers ... I have about six computers that I use to compose. They have strings and brass on them. It’s like a big fancy pencil.

TH: Being honored with writing the Closing Ceremonies of the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City must have been exciting. Give us a feeling of the experience you had that night. KB: I was there composing and taking pictures at the same time. I saw Moby do it, so I was conducting with my right hand and taking pictures with my left because, you know, it was the Olympics. You don’t want to miss out. I felt very, very lucky to be there. TH: Was it difficult to write? KB: I kind of had a musical Rubik’s cube in front of me. They said it had to be 10 minutes. Now that’s a long time to sustain a song and not lose [the audience’s] interest. I wrote it with a friend of mine, Sam Cardon, and we decided to use all these different sounds, the sitar and chokachi flute and voices singing in different languages. It had a pan world feeling to it. TH: I understand your Christmas concerts are huge productions with a lot of people on stage. Give us an idea of what’s involved. KB: There are a lot of people on stage because the kind of music I write includes some jazz, so I have to have a bass player, drummer, guitarist and percussionist. There’s a little bit of classical mixed in, so there’s a string section, some woodwinds and horns, and then I always have a guest performer. This year it’s Jenny Oakes Baker, she’s a great violinist. The show is a patchwork quilt of all the styles that I am. There’s a lot of up-tempo stuff. I banter with the audience or tell stories like tobogganing as a kid in Wisconsin, Christmases past, going through tough things in my life, and then I’ll play a song that kind of fits that mood. [This year], 35 to 40 percent of the show is brand new, I’m writing it right now. It’s a variety show in a way. I tell jokes, but they’re usually accidental. I remember one time I was down in St. George for a concert and I said I’d like to dedicate this next song to the people of Colorado City, and the song was “What Child is This?” And I was laughing and half the audience was laughing and the other half wasn’t. Turns out they were a big group of people from the polygamist place that were bussed in to see the show. That’s part of the fun of performing, just being up there without a net. TH: One of your most popular songs, “Prayer of the Children,” will be performed by the Salt Lake Men’s Choir at their Christmas concert in December. What is it like to hear others perform your songs? KB: It is one of the supreme privileges to hear something that used to be in your head, then down on a piece of paper, go out around the world and then somebody else sings their version of it. It’s really an honor. I got goosebumps the other night listenening to the SLMC, I though they were great. That song has been sung by children’s choirs and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. David Archuleta sang it the other day. He called me up and asked if he could sing it at his concerts. So we went into the studio and he did a beautiful version of it. His voice

32 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 116 | Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8

is really good for that style. TH: I am now going to hit you up for your reaction the the turnout of Proposition 8 in California and the reaction it has caused here in Utah. KB: I’m really disappointed that, at this stage in our society ... nationwide, there’s a portion of the population who has to sit at the back of the bus, that can’t drink out of the same drinking fountains ... and I use that analogy purposefully because we’re — meaning people like you and me — amazed by the fact that there was a time when blacks couldn’t drink from the same drinking fountains. Well, gays, lesbians, transgender people are in that situation. People should be horrified by our behavior right now. Prop. 8, to me, is a proposition born out of fear. The fact that the LDS Church, of which I’ve elapsed ... the fact that they would rise up as they did is disappointing to me. It doesn’t have anything to do with them. I don’t understand and I’m pissed off. I think it’s fear-based and we make too many rules based on fear. We try to legislate fear. There’s absolutely nothing to be afraid of. In maybe the last eight years I’ve made a point of not being Switzerland anymore. People have probably noticed me getting more politically involved. For a long time I never did because everybody said, “quiet, you don’t want people to get upset, they wont go to your concerts or buy your CDs.” When I hit about 40 I decided I can’t do this anymore. I cant be plastic boy; I can’t be fake. I started getting involved in Democratic politics, which shocked a lot of people. But I was always a Democrat ... just kind of quiet about it. I became a state delegate for Obama and went to the convention and attended the caucuses and was a poll judge. I’ve been pegged as Utah’s John Tesh. My reputation, whether true or not, proceeds me. And people just assume. Q A Kurt Bestor Christmas celebrates 20 years Dec. 10–13 at Abravanel Hall. For ticket information, visit broadwayacrossamerica.com.

Hello, I’m Dr. Chris. Why choose me over any other chiropractor? Because I love you for the beautiful expression of God that you are!

Dr. Chris O’Bryant, DC

“Giving More Life.”

141 East 5600 South #309, Murray

801-685-2862

Only $20 per visit!

MENTION QSALTLAKE

Grand Theatre presents

Doubly Delicious ish with Sis D &

"What Not, What Have You, Such as That" with Sister Dottie S. Dixon

December 11, 12, 13 & 15th, 2008 Join us for a soulful celebration! Messiah – Seventh Annual Holiday Event. Handel’s traditional arrangements infused with the spirit of Gospel! Featuring local soloists and choirs.

Tickets on Sale Now! box office: 801-957-3322 www.the-grand.org

Fridays at 3:00 PM, and...oh, oh, oh, Saturdays at 10:00 AM 2X the SASS & 2X a Week KID! KRCL 90.9 FM Podcast at www.krcl.org

Local Prices, Local Talent – Exceptional Theatre!

3 4 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 116 | Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8

Q BAR GUIDE WEEKLY EVENTS

SUNDAYS

1. AREA 51

MONDAYS

TUESDAYS

348 W. 500 South • D P T X 801-534-0819 • area51slc.com

WEDNESDAYS

THURSDAYS

FRIDAYS

SATURDAYS

Gay 80s

2. BABYLON

404 S. West Temple • D M P 801-860-1083 • myspace.com/babylonslc

3. CLUB TRY-ANGLES 251 W. 900 South • D M N P 801-364-3203 • clubtry-angles.com

Wii, Beer-soaked $1 drafts weenies

Beer-Soaked Weenies

Spaghetti Night Pool Tournament

4. GOSSIP @ SOUND

579 W. 200 South • D M P T X 801-328-0255 • myspace.com/gossipslc

5. JAM

Monday Night 751 N. 300 W • D M P N Football 801-328-0255 • jamslc.com

Beer Bust $1 drafts Jam Master Junk

6. PAPER MOON 3737 S State St • D K L P 801-713-0678 • thepapermoon.info

Free pool all day Closed $1 Drafts

7. TAVERNACLE

$1 drafts 201 E. 300 South • K P X Karaoke 801-519-8800 • tavernacle.com 9p

8. TRAPP DOOR

9. W LOUNGE

Louonge Micro Brew Tasting

Dance, Dance, Dance!

Dance! Nova’s Platinum Pussy Review Dance! Jam Master Junk

Dance! Jam Master Junk

$1 Drafts Country 8-10p Top 40 Dance Free pool all day Sassy Kitty’s Karaoke DJ Rach DJ Iris 10p, $1 Drafts

Electroclash Trash Gutter Butter DJ Justin Strange

Gay Wednesdays DJ Danny, Darts $4 Skyy Drinks

Dance Evolution w DJ/DC

Closed for private parties Dance Party Call 801-359-0637 Hip hop, House, Indie House to reserve yours

358 S. West Temple • D F N P X 801-359-0637 • myspace.com/wlounge

$1 drafts, DJ D or BoyToy Bear Jam last Fri

Women, Women, Women!

$1 drafts $1 drafts Oldies Karaoke Dueling pianos Dueling pianos Dueling pianos Dueling pianos Night 9p 9p 9p 9p 9p

Pachanga Latin Night

615 W. 100 South • D P 801-533-0173 • myspace.com/trapp_door

Karaoke 8pm $1 Drafts

Big City House Jam Masters Double D, kinetik

Gay Night

Frequency w DJ Evil K Goth Night

Club Rebellion DJ Tony Marinos 7.

Indie Disco! Biggest & longest-running electro night

House, Indie Rock Mixed Crowd

Cryptogram

Salt Lake City

A cryptogram is a puzzle where one letter in the puzzle is substituted with another. For example: ECOLVGNCYXW YCR EQYIIRZNBZN YZU PSZ! Has the solution: CRYPTOGRAMS ARE CHALLENGING AND FUN! In the above example Es are all replaced by Cs. The puzzle is solved by recognizing letter patterns in words and successively substituting letters until the solution is reached. This

week’s hint: Y = C Theme: A quote by MSNBC newsanchor Keith Olbermann about the passage of Prop 8.

600 N.

Dsnt rzdx nt szccnmhx, szccnmhx mxyfvtx dsnt nte’d fmzvd wxhhnej fea dsnt nte’d fmzvd kzhndnyt, dsnt nt fmzvd dsx svgfe sxfcd.

____ ____ __ ________, ________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ’_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ’_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , _ _ _ _ __ _____ ___ _____ _____.

300 N.

300 W

400 W

Utah Pride Center

North Temple

Temple Square

9 8

Gateway Mall

200 S

Anagram

100 S.

200 S.

400 S

This local classical composer is celebrating 20 years of holiday tradition.

____ ______

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ARE ON PAGE 44

300 W

600 S

City Hall

200 EAST

STATE ST

500 S

An anagram is a word or phrase that can be made using the letters from another word or phrase. Rearrange the letters below to answer:

stroker but

300 S.

MAIN ST

900 W

Trax Frontrunner Amtrak Greyhound

600 W

Intermodal Hub

Salt Palace

300 W

Jordan River

Trax Line

Arena

900 S

6 3900 S

Trax Line

1300 S

Trax Station

STATE ST

South Salt Lake City

Trax Line

300 W

3300 S

B D F K L M N P T X

BEAR/LEATHER DANCE FOOD KARAOKE NIGHTS MOSTLY LESBIANS MOSTLY GAY MEN NEIGHBORHOOD BAR PRIVATE CLUB 18+ AREA MIXED GAY/STRAIGHT OR GAY CERTAIN NIGHTS

StonewallShootingSportsUtah.org Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8 | issue 116 | QSa lt L a k e | 35

Non-Smoking Great Sicilian Food Available

KARAOKE SUNDAYS AND TUESDAYS

201 East 300 South Salt Lake City 801-519-8900 www.tavernacle.com A Private Club for Members

DOLLAR DRAFTS Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays OLDIES Mondays DUELING PIANOS Wednesdays through Saturdays

CLUB OV. 27 THURSDAYE,DNFAMILY

ND ANNUAL EXTE

G N I V I G S K THAN DINNER DoinAYoY Holiday! e h t r fo y il m a F ur J

V. 22 O N , Y A D R U T SA

MA’s BIG MAM Y A D H T IChR B il he screams! pank ris H. ’t

Come S

28 . V O N , Y A D I R F

BEAR JAM TRY-ANGLES: NOW ONLY AT

EO VIyoD Tm?TTeO TtaElk X phone ur om fr xt to hi

Too shy to hout the bar. on screens througte to have this! up ow sh ill w it and r in the sta We’re the first ba

E YEAR’S EVG W E N G IN K A T AFTER T’GIVIN S N IO T A V R E S RE ng lines Avoid the lo ts urday nighly at S & ay id r F n o rrive ear ! A . ll fu e r a e w when

SOCIAL C R H R E B M E DEC at 7pm Sunday, Dec. 7 s

e•lCeatrered by Jasoh! JOegdw agsatse Mar C en all, New

ROES ▼ E H & S IE N E E W URNAMENTS NDAYS WII, O O T M L O ▼ O P S , IE E N T E A E RAFTS & W PAGHETTI PL D S 1 3 $ $ S S Y Y A A D D N S E U S TS ▼ WEDN F A R D L NIGHT TS ▼ L F 1 A A $ E R S C D Y N 1 A A $ D , -D S D E E J C U D T DANCE-DAN OY AND/OR , T S Y N O O B OPEN DAILY AT 2PM O J N D R S E T Y F A A A D N E R ▼ FRID B H IT 801-364-3203 251 W 900 S KEBOX W 1/2 BLOCK FROM 9th S TRAX STATION SATURDAYS JU ▼

WWW.CLUBTRY-ANGLES.COM

▼

A PRIVATE CLUB FOR MEMBERS

Straight Boys Kissing

SALT LAKE’S NEWEST GAY SMOKE-FREE NIGHT CLUB OPEN AT 5PM MON–SAT COME WIND DOWN AFTER WORK

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL $1.50 Drafts

TUESDAY BEER BUST $1.50 Drafts | Jam Master Junk

Straight boys at the Tavernacle get into our new feature. Each Sudoku puzzle has a unique solution which can be reached logically without guessing. Enter digits 1 through 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit, as must each column and each 3x3 square. Qdoku is actually five seperate, but connected, Sudoku puzzles.

Q doku Medium

WEDNESDAY BIG CITY HOUSE Jam Master Double D, Jam Mistress Kinetik

THURSDAY LOUNGE

Microbrew tasting by Uintah Brewing Co

FRIDAY & SATURDAY DANCE PARTY WEEKEND with Jam Master Junk!

WE’RE HERE WE’RE QUEER WE HAVE BEER! LIQUOR ON ITS WAY! NO MEMBERSHIP | NO COVER 751 NORTH 300 WEST 7 BLOCKS NORTH OF GATEWAY TEXT JAM TO 801-808-4190 WWW.JAMSLC.COM

3 8 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 116 | Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8

8 2 3 4 5 1 3 2 6 5

9 4 7 8 8

1 5 4 8

6 1 5

7 8 3 9 6 7 1 3 2 3 4 6 1 6 5 2 5 8 9 2 6 5 7 3 5 4 3 9 2 7 5 4 6 7 6 4 2 1 2 7 5 8 3

1 2 3 9 5 8 4 3 6

5 6 7 3

4 5 1 3 9 8 8 6 9 7 9 4 4 2 3 5 2 8 5 9 4 8 2 3 6 7 4 9 8 7 4 6 7 5 5 4 9 1 9 2 3 3 2 5 6

8 5 5 4 3

4 1 4 5 9

GET HIGH SPEED CABLE INTERNET NOW AND GET

$150.00 CASH BACK

$19.99 PER MONTH, FREE CABLE MODEM, FREE WIRELESS ROUTER, FREE DIGITAL MUSIC AND VIDEOS.

UTAHCOMCAST.COM

Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8 | issue 116 | QSa lt L a k e | 39

Q Puzzle

And the Winner Is ... About openly gay winners in the recent election

Across 1 Start of a song from South Pacific 5 Material from Sylvia Beach? 9 Pricks cover them 14 Soon, to Shakespeare 15 Protected, to seamen 16 Up partner 17 Amsterdam’s land (abbr.) 18 His brother laid him in his grave 19 Works the shaft 20 Openly gay Connecticut state legislator 23 Use a gifted tongue 24 Be in bed, maybe 25 Gay Games cry 28 Jump for Doug Mattis 32 Liberace piece, perhaps 34 Openly gay California assemblyman 39 Where to see Little Britain 40 About Uranus? 41 Louganis, for one 43 Not much 44 Mothers, to Verlaine 46 Openly gay secretary of state of Oregon 48 Main dish 4 0 | QSa lt L a k e

50 Spamalot review, perhaps 51 Mattachine org. 52 Gardner of Show Boat 54 Pop singer Cleo 59 Openly gay Oakland City Council member 64 One of the Village People 66 “Baby Doll” band 67 “It’s all in your ___” (Noodle slogan) 68 Had sex with 69 Wolfson of Freedom to Marry 70 Peruvian friend of Maya Angelou? 71 Voyeurs, e.g. 72 Result of getting rear-ended 73 Cabinet div. Down 1 Instrument strummed in Mame 2 What you might lend Marc Antony 3 Loads of 4 ___ water (imperiled at the bathhouse?) 5 Swedish import 6 Sin City star Jessica 7 Not even once, to Dickinson 8 Greek triangle 9 Musical in which Julie Andrews played a queen 10 Small amount in a stallion’s mouth? 11 Female with a low voice 12 Election da. for Tammy Baldwin

13 “___ De-Lovely” 21 Biweekly tide 22 Lily for Colette 26 Words on Mary Bonauto’s shingle 27 Contemporary of Schubert 29 Made a mark in Hollywood Squares 30 The Phantom of the Opera’s name 31 Burton of Star Trek 33 Songwriter Holly 34 Urban Cowboy director Bridges 35 Bridge bid, briefly 36 “The Bridge” poet 37 Glenn Burke, formerly 38 Chicago’s Catherine ___-Jones 42 Prepare to drag 45 Where sailors sleep with their first mates? 47 Ed Wood role 49 Ensler of The Vagina Monologues 53 Needed some BenGay 55 One that sucks some sap 56 The L Word creator Chaiken 57 Org. chaired by gaysupportive Julian Bond 58 Come as far as 60 “If ___ I Would Leave You” 61 Shore opening 62 Ball of film and TV 63 Cain’s “closet” role 64 Tiny balls 65 Norma McCorvey, aka Jane ___ Answers on p. 44

| issue 116 | Nov ember 20, 2008

Q Homoscopes p

SCORPIO (Oct 24 - Nov 22)

ARIES (Mar 21 - Apr 20)

Gay Rams penetrate new territories with Sun in Sadge. You are catapulted into an entirely new course of study or may decide to take a decidedly different direction in life. More importantly, you can be tempted to pack your bags and plop yourself in some yet undiscovered, exotic center of action. How exotic is strictly up to you, but I would choose Paris.

TAURUS (Apr 21 - May 21)

You have several opportunities to shiver your timbers when Sun enters Sagittarius. Yo ho ho sexy queer Bull; what is going on below in your cabin? Be careful that your blind, indiscreet lust does not carry you away on a turgid tide of briny foam and deposit you on a sand barge later on. Build on loyalty, caring and devotion of your deck hands as you cruise along.

Strategic queer Scorps are more concerned with dollars and cents this week. Suddenly your vault door opens and your careful savings are at risk if you are not careful. The secret to an early retirement is to not jump in head first. Do your fiscal homework and when in doubt, find someone with deep pockets to help navigate all bumps and grinds.

[

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 - Dec 22)

Gay Archers are charged up, out and over with Sun in their own sign. Independence is key and you cannot be reined in. Your sense of self may be at odds with certain long term relationships. Don’t let ill considered actions upend the domestic

applecart unless you want it that way. Single Sadges take a trip to the moon on gossamer wings. Will it be just one of those things?

]

CAPRICORN (Dec 23 - Jan 20)

Closeted Caps are pushed Out. It’s about time. Sun in Sadge sweeps out the debris and sends a new breeze to freshen up the stale air. Intuition is also highlighted, but of course you already knew that! Pink Caps pride themselves on their pragmatism but now you happily coast along the cosmic flow and allow the sirens to finger your fate. It depends on which finger.

AQUEERIUS (Jan 21 - Feb 19)

Friends can offer good times or petty aggravations. Reassess your social

CANCER (JUN 22 - JUL 23)

Gay Crabs are clawing to do well on the job when Sun enters Sag. Expect a heck of a lot of expansion at one time! Suddenly job obligations explode and you can feel overtaxed, overstressed and overworked. Don’t risk colds or flu because the paperwork isn’t in by 5p. There is always tomorrow ...or next week ...or something, sometime in the future.

LEO (Jul 24 - Aug 23)

Expect a spurt of creative juice with Sun in Sag. Party hearty you party hound, but be prepared to pay the piper, lest you become a tired and dissiapted party poop-out. The temptation is to take things to the outer limits in your pursuit of pleasure and fun but the fates place a few strategic tacks on your primrose path. Peek before you pounce, proud Lion.

VIRGO (Aug 24 - Sep 23)

Sun in Sag highlights home-based pursuits. Surprisingly positive developments occur in any family issue. This week you may not be especially diplomatic and you could wind up saying something impolitic and landscape changing. Hmm then again sometimes you have to upend the earth to be able to plant anew. Get those lavender fingers dirty, Virgo.

LIBRA (Sep 24 - Oct 23)

Your words pack a punch now. Charming pink Libras will unwittingly utter some doozies and should be prepared to have all of their gaffs broadcast to the general universe. But don’t panic. Call ‘em as you see ‘em cousin and let the chips fall where they may. Just be sure to stand under an awning as it all comes raining down around you.

PISCES (Feb 20 - Mar 20)

Guppies make great strides in their career with Sun in Sadge. Don’t get stuck in a working rut. This is a good time to think about what you want and where you want to go. Make astute changes in your professional direction. It may also result in changes on the homefront. Oh don’t be afraid of change! Opportunity knocks.... loudly!

ALL “FAMILY” WELCOME

GEMINI (May 22 - Jum 21)

Relationships suddenly become the focus of your attention with Sun in Sadge. How much freedom do you really need? There could be times when you wish you were on your own, free of commitment and restriction. You may chaff under the leash, but remember, pink Twin, some folks like it that way. And they are waiting in the wings for your exit.

circles this week. Is it time to discover some new faces or do you just need to stir and heat up the current stewpot? It’s entirely up to you Aqueerius. But make your decisions slowly and with careful consideration. Once the door is slammed shut it may be tough to pry it open again.

Voted #1 Lesbian Club for 3 Years! Thanks! 3737 South State Street

en’s

om e Wrs r e i a em s Prr 14 Ye ’ e k La Ove Saltlub for C

WEEKLY LINEUP ❀SASSY SUNDAYS❀

Salt Lake City www.thepapermoon.info myspace.com/thepapermoon

801-713-0678 Open: Sun–Fri 3pm–1am, Saturdays 6pm–1am Closed Mondays A private club for members

Saturday, Nov. 22 Open at 4pm for the

Free Pool, $1 Drafts

❀MONDAYS❀

BYU/UofU Game!

Closed for Employee Sanity

❀TUNES-DAYS❀

Thursday, Nov. 27

Karaoke w/Mr. Scott at 8pm, $1 Drafts

Open Thanksgiving

All Request with DJ Iris Free Pool All Day, $1 Drafts

Friday, Nov. 28

❀WILD WEDNESDAYS❀

❀THIRSTY THURSDAYS❀ $1 Drafts, Country 8–10pm Sassy Kitty’s Karaoke 10pm

❀FREAKIN’ FRIDAYS❀ Top 40 Dance Music All Night with Sexy Female DJs

❀SEXY SATURDAYS❀ Women, Women, Women & hot DJs making You Sweat

Potluck, Turkey Tourny, $1 drafts

Animal Rights/Prom

14th Annual, hosted by Toni, Rach and the Prom Committee

Friday, Dec. 5

9th Annual Drag King Contest Hosted by the Salt City Kings

BOOK ALL YOUR TRAVEL www.papermoonvacations.com

Coming Dec. 4: Our

ANNUAL DINING GUIDE.

Restaurateurs: Get in Now! Call Brad at 801-649-6663

42 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 116 | Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8

COFFEE ART

IDEAS

ALWAYS BREWING..... Mon - Thurs 6:00 am to 10:00 pm Fri - Sat 6:00 am - 12:00 am Sun 7:00 am to 10:00 pm OPEN MIC Mondays music 8pm-10pm Spoken Wednesdays 8pm-10pm Friday night jam sessions 9:30pm-12:00am 631 West North Temple, Suite 700 Salt Lake City, UT 84116 801 596 0500 - mestizocoffeehouse.com

Mestizo shares space with Mestizo Inst. of Culture and Art (MICA). Mestizo is a community space. The MICA Gallery is open to the public and free to use.

Q Health What If We Run Out of HIV Funding? by Lynn Beltran

25 years we’ve seen a lot of successes and failures in treating HIV. On the up side we’ve produced anti-retroviral drugs that interfere with HIV’s replication, meaning that people can live much longer with the virus. Because we’ve also learned a lot more about how HIV is transmitted and not transmitted, we no longer exclude HIV infected people from schools and work settings. Laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family Medical leave Act now provide protection for people who are infected with HIV. Social paradigms have also shifted toward compassion and caring, and away from stigma and judgment. But despite these successes, we have not yet found either a vaccine or a cure for HIV. Earlier this year Anthony Fauci, HIV Director for the National Institutes of Health, spoke to the media about the challenges research has faced in the search for a vaccine. He discussed the unique qualities of this virus and the barriers it presents to creating a vaccine. If we’re going to find one, Fauci said we need to go back to the drawing board with drug and vaccine trials. Sadly, the 1990s successes we saw in awareness and education that helped decrease the numbers of new HIV infections have proven to be temporary. Currently the number of new HIV infections is rising yearly — in part, even more sadly, because of those successes. For example, we know that people are less concerned about contracting HIV than they were a decade ago because they believe the medications on the market today will prevent them from suffering any ill health effects. Others have simply become complacent, or consider becoming infected with HIV a rite of passage. These changes in attitude mean that people are now more likely to engage in high-risk n the last

behaviors involving sex and drug use than they were 10 years ago. Worse, many people with HIV or AIDS no longer feel an obligation to inform their sexual partners of their HIV status, or to encourage condom use. So, what does all of this mean for those infected with HIV and for those at risk of becoming infected? It means a lack of money. With the rates of new infection on the rise and people also living longer with this infection, more people need more government money allocated to HIV treatment for more years. As you might have guessed, these two things have actually negatively impacted the long term outlook of medical and social services available to people with HIV and AIDS. I will be honest here. I worry what the future will bring for the HIV-positive community. The Ryan White Program, the federally-funded program that provides coverage for health care and medications for under and uninsured people with HIV, has long been a model for healthcare coverage. But with our country facing economic disaster, the government is reducing or eliminating many social programs. Surely, the Ryan White Program has already experienced aftershocks from this financial crisis. And when you combine a weak economy with an increasing number of people who are using available money (often for decades), it is an almost certain recipe for disaster. I truly fear that the days of being able to get government-funded health care for people infected with HIV are limited. With this possible looming crisis in mind, I encourage everyone to become more vigilant about HIV. Although today’s medications are often able to improve the long-term outlook of an infection, if they are available only to those who can afford out of pocket expenses or have health insurance that will provide coverage, we may see the AIDS epidemic of the ’80s re-emerge. Lynn Beltran is the HIV and STD program manager for the Salt Lake Valley Health

Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8 | issue 116 | QSa lt L a k e | 43

é f a C Med

SUNDAY BRUNCH IS FUN ONCE AGAIN! Ten Great Menu Items, including Omelets: Pesto, Greek, Western, Shrimp & Asparagus, Denver Breakfast Burrito Beef Steak & Eggs Pork Loin & Eggs Saffron Cream Benedict

420 East 3300 South Salt Lake City 493-0100 Monday - Thursday 11:00am to 10:00pm Friday - Saturday 10:00am to 11:00 pm Sundays 10:00am to 9:00pm

We Don’t Have $22 Million to Spend on

Hate

So Let’s Use our HardEarned Resources ON

LOVE

For the next month, bring your non-perishible food or toiletry items so we can

FILL THE CLUB TRY-ANGLES PATIO for the Utah Food Bank & the Utah AIDS Foundation Food Bank We’ll take donations through Saturday, Dec. 20 and celebrate with an

UNDERWEAR PARTY that night

Are You Having Symptoms? Discreet Conﬁdential Low-Cost STD Testing

Call 534-4666

for an appointment 610 S. 200 East, Room 135 LGBT-Friendly Environment Testing for: Chlamydia Gonorrhea Syphilis HIV — Results available in 20 minutes

You are INVITED to Hotel Monaco’s

4th Annual Red Party ‘Red Passion’

To Benefit The Utah Aids Foundation Thursday Dec. 4th at 5pm-8pm This year we invite you to become passionate about raising funds for the UAF

Puzzle Solutions Anagram:

Cryptogram:

Kurt Bestor

This vote is horrible, horrible because this

isn’t about yelling and this isn’t about poli-

tics, this is about the human heart.

QDoku

Crossword

•

Live Performances by Interpretive Dances & Living Statues • Aphrodisiac Food & Drinks from Bambara • Red Hot Prize Drawing & Live Auction • Oxygen Bar • Boas, Balloons, and Red Roses • Suggested Donation at the Door: $25.00 Per Person

RSVP by December 2, 2008 Nathan (801)487‐2323 Nathan@utahaids.org

15 West 200 South Salt Lake City *Valet Parking is Not Available This Year

Please Use Adjacent Parking Garages

100% of Funds Collected Will Benefit The Utah Aids Foundation Sponsored By:

9 7 8 6 3 2 4 5 1

4 1 5 8 7 9 6 2 3

2 3 6 5 1 4 7 9 8

2 5 1 3 6 8 7 9 4

7 4 6 9 2 1 8 3 5

8 3 9 4 7 5 6 1 2

8 6 7 1 4 5 2 3 9 1 6 3 7 9 2 4 5 8

5 9 3 2 6 8 1 7 4 5 7 4 8 3 6 1 2 9

1 2 4 7 9 3 8 6 5 9 2 8 5 1 4 3 7 6

4 8 2 1 5 3 9 6 7 8 5 2 3 4 1 9 2 7 5 8 6

3 9 5 6 4 7 2 8 1 4 3 6 7 5 9 4 8 6 3 1 2

6 1 7 2 8 9 5 4 3 7 1 9 6 8 2 3 5 1 9 4 7

6 3 8 2 4 1 5 9 7

4 5 2 6 9 7 1 3 8

7 1 9 3 8 5 2 6 4

3 1 2 6 5 9 8 7 4 1 6 3 9 2 5 1 4 8 7 6 3

4 5 7 3 2 8 1 9 6 5 2 8 4 7 3 9 6 2 5 1 8

8 6 9 7 1 4 3 2 5 9 7 4 8 1 6 3 7 5 4 9 2

2 4 1 6 8 3 9 7 5 9 4 1 2 3 6 7 5 8

7 8 4 2 5 9 1 3 6

6 9 7 5 2 1 3 8 4

3 5 8 7 9 4 6 2 1

5 7 4 1 6 3 2 8 9

6 2 8 5 4 7 9 3 1

7 3 5 8 9 1 6 4 2

5 3 9 8 1 6 2 4 7 1 9 3 4 8 2 5 6 7

1 6 2 4 3 7 8 5 9 2 8 6 9 7 5 4 1 3

Q Classifieds

HOMES FOR SALE

Sugar House

Capitol hill/Marmalade

& Respond FREE! 801-595-0005 Use Code 5705. Also Visit MegaMates.com,

CALL 801-649-6663 TO PLACE YOUR AD TODAY

18+

Real Estate

QSaltLake Seeking Fun Office Neighbors

Sugar House Office Space Ava i l a b l e N ow

Muscle Trophy. Younger man,

Marmalade Square Fantastic Remodel on these 1- and 2-bedroom units. New central air, hardwoods, tile, windows, fixtures, full appliance package. Fully fenced private backyards available. Enjoy the lifestyle this community offers. Pool, spa, & gym. Pets are welcome! Condo living on West Capitol Hill, Downtown for under $200,000 – unheard of! Represented by your favorite real estate agent – Julie Silveous. Call Julie today at 502-4507 Stop by to take a look at 244 West 6th North, M-F Noon-6pm, Sat 11a6pm, Sun 1-6pm

345 Reed Avenue, Salt Lake City UT 84103, $229,900, 2 br 1 ba 1,300 sqft, Single-Family Home. Beautiful Victorian era detailiing in the contrasting brick arched headers above the windows. Less than a block from Salt Lake’s newest gay bar. Cathy Mooney Real Estate, 4869200, c athymooney.com MLS ID: 818254

Newly-remodeled building on 21st South in the heart of Sugar House. Huge parking lot. Gas/Electric included.

575 sq. ft., $455/mo

2-Room office

214 Reed Avenue, Salt Lake City UT 84103, $179,900, 2 br 1 ba 804 sqft, Built in 1886. Less than a block from Salt Lake’s newest gay bar. Marie Ginman, 466-0678, Allpro Realty Group. MLS#: 825849

520 sq. ft., $550/mo

4-Room office 755 sq. ft., $790/mo

339 Reed Avenue, Salt Lake City UT 84103, $237,000, 3 br 1 ba 1,090 sqft, Updated single-family home built in 1890. Newly refurbished. Less than a block from Salt Lake’s newest gay bar. John Armstrong, Ari Realty, 915-6595.

Glendale

Dennis, 359-6686

hispanic, polynesian or bodybuilder is

Roommates

dows and seats, side-mirror defrost,

Male non-smoker to share 2 bdrm home in the Rose Park area. Fenced yard, laundry rm. Looking for someone professional and clean. Rent is $375.00 inc. utilities. Rental deposit included. Call Steven 801688-1918 or e-mail pmkirt234@yahoo. com If anyone would be interested in becoming a joint tenant with me, and share a house and house payment call 435-734-2391 for more information. Must be male, between age 21 and 25 yrs. Ask for Tom. Roommate wanted — $375 with utilities and internet. $300 deposit. 2 vacancies. Rose Park Fairpark area. Bedroon in house. Call Rob 801-688-4925.

Help Wanted

Fun Job! Now hiring 18-23 guys & girls to work + travel. Travel expenses paid in full, other expenses paid 1st month. We train! Call now! 1-866-857-9284. All Kinds of jobs available. Temp, temp to hire. Immediate need. All pay ranges. Contact Steve Whittaker 801‑463‑4828. We clean houses, apartments, offices and more. One-time, weekly or monthly schedules. We’ll come to you for a free estimate and provide references. We use our own cleaning supplies. Great work ethic. Call Juanita or Manuel at 801‑759-9305.

Personal Training

Southern exposure

Sugarhouse. Desirable location. 2567 sq ft w/ finished basement. 3 bdrm 2 full bath, large backyard, freshly painted, ready to move in and make your own. 259,900. 2524 S. Dearborn, SLC. mls#726482. Contact Mary at 661-3175, Keller Williams South Valley Realtors. FOR RENT ADS are just $10 per issue. Call 801-649-6663 to get yours in the next issue.

Cleaning Services

Fun, liberal neighbors. Great energy,

3-Room office

PERSONALS

WHERE LOCAL GUYS MEET Browse

Awesome remodeled 3 bed, 2 bath Glendale home Stainless Steel appliances, maple kitchen, bamboo floors and more. 1553 W. Indiana Ave MLS# 787787 $155,900, Kerry Sanford, Service First Realty, 801201-0665 or visit me online @ KerrySanford.com.

Change your image, change your life ... Loose those unwanted inches, bulk up and put on muscle, and get that six pack you have always wanted all in the privacy of a private studio. Learn how to be healthy and feel great for the rest of your life. Call now and make an appointment for your initial consoltation including complimentary workout and body fat testing. Steven Walker at 801-688-1918, pmkirt234@ yahoo.com

MASSAGE

Pride Massage Your preference male or female therapist. Individuals, couples, groups. Warm, friendly, licensed professionals. Call 4865500 for an appointment. Open late 7 days a week. 1800 S West Temple.

Healing Hands Body and Energy Work by Christian 654-0175

christianallred.com M i T y m e M a ss a g e Call Kevin 801-792-8569. Taking appts. from 6–10pm

wanted. Non-smoker, non-drinker. I am a black man. Short term! No penetration. Joe, 355-1635. Prudent!

FOR SALE 1996 Isuzu Trooper 4x4 Limited

Edition. 3.2 liter engine, automatic

drive. Includes sunroof, power win-

heated leather seats, overdrive, headlight wipers, 20-CD player and

A/C. Gray/dark blue. Low mileage. Interior/exterior in great condition. $4100 obo. Call Manuel at 801-7599305.

MISC.

UtahGayDate.com has free

chat, an interactive webzine, Dating Advice, and free profiles. Join utahgaydate.com.

Queer TV.

Comcast not

giving you what you need? Sign up for DirecTV through this gayowned and operated business. UtahSat.com Entertainment Books — Get one meal when you buy another, free arts tickets and more. EntertainmentUtah.com TAKE A Friend to Lunch, Save 60%. $25 certificates to Salt Lake restaurants for just $10 or less.

Give as a gift or use for yourself. SLRESTAURANT.COM

GET High Speed Cable Internet NOW AND GET $100.00 Cash Back $19.99 / mo, free cable modem, wireless router, music, videos. UTAHCOMCAST.COM

What a great value!

Classifieds run for $5 per line (30 characters), 4 line minimum. Specials: Roommate ads $5 for 5 lines Real Estate $25 for picture + 5 lines

Call 801-649-6663 today.

Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8 | issue 116 | QSa lt L a k e | 45

Q Tales Jacin Tales Episode 9

Before He Sleeps By A.E. Storm

t had been nine days since

Jacin’s accident. Four of which he spent in a coma and his family and friends spent in a state of despair. When Jacin finally opened his eyes on the evening of the fourth day, his lover George and his parents were placed in his room in different shapes of foreboding: George in a chair, head back and, as Jacin could only assume, counting the holes in the ceiling; Mom sat huddled in a small couch — she seemed to be shrinking into it — and was absently flipping through a Time magazine; and Dad was asleep next to Mom on the couch, a small percussion reverberating from his throat. Jacin knew he was in a hospital, he just couldn’t remember why or how he arrived there. The more he tried, the more agitated he became. He tried to get someone’s attention, but his mouth felt desert dry and he couldn’t speak. He lifted his arm, which was like lifting a concrete block, and wiggled his fingers until George either finally noticed him or lost count of the holes. Doctors were immediately called in, and after asking Jacin what he remembered about the accident (which was nothing), they randomly took turns explaining that he was suffering from a form of amnesia that affects both pre- and post-injury memories. Their consoling-covered condescending tones infuriated Jacin. He just wanted to remember something, anything. Not knowing what happened scared him more than what actually did. Now home after a couple more days of observation in the hospital — a home barely recognizable — a nauseous fear encumbered Jacin. He remembers their pet dachshunds and their cat Freddy Kreuger, but not his breed. He remembers

the African art decorating the living room, but while looking at it, doesn’t remember why he likes it. He remembers his and George’s bed, but not on what side he prefers to sleep. These disparaging uncertainties and others compounded by absolutely no memory of the accident and the events leading up to it left Jacin in a near-constant state of depression he assumed (or maybe it was the Oxycodone, which was also making his skin itch as if it was prescription poison ivy). He felt as if he were floating aimless several feet off the ground, detached from the world as it moved along through its daily grind, unnoticed and forgotten even though he was getting more attention than bald Britney Spears. The front door of their home had been like a revolving door occupied by a handful of unruly six-year-olds for several days. Family and friends brought home-baked cranberryzucchini bread, flower bouquets, houseplants and a more recreational type of greenery (yet another source of confusion for Jacin). They’d come in with oversized smiles and deep concern emanating from saddened eyes. They’d parrot “how are you feeling?” and “can I do something for you?” day in, day out. They’d offer words of encouragement, push old photographs in his face, tell wild stories of past improprieties they shared. It was insufferable and made Jacin’s aching bandaged head throb like boiling water. By the end of the third day home, the commotion had settled to a dull hum, much like the feeling in his right leg. Three pins were surgically inserted to hold together his fractured kneecap and an immobilizer

4 6 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 116 | Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8

was to be worn 24 hours a day so as not to bend the knee. The pain was unbearable. The pain made him cry sometimes ... really, most of the time. Sometimes he’d cry so hard his body convulsed a little bit. Jacin looked at George sitting on the bed next to him (the right side, Jacin realized) watching another compelling Divorce Court. “Take me there,” Jacin finally decided. “What ... where?” George asked. “To the Trax station where it happened.” Shaking his head, “No, no. I don’t think that’s a good idea.” “Besides,” George continued. “Your parents are coming by soon.” “Then tomorrow,” Jacin insisted. The next morning, after a grueling walk to the truck, George drove them to the 21st South Trax station. Obviously for a Sunday there were just a half dozen people waiting on the platform.

“Anything?” George asked after a couple of minutes. Tears slid down Jacin’s cheeks. A whisper, “No, nothing.” That night at a quarter past midnight, Jacin’s suddenly in a bar, in the middle of the day, with some friends and a woman he doesn’t know, but whom Josh calls Keri. She removes a photograph from her wallet and passes it around. When it makes its way to Jacin, he sees a photo of a young, conservatively dressed man with black wavy hair and shocking green eyes. The strange woman says to the group, “Mark’s a good husband and father ...” Suddenly Jacin’s laying face up on cold concrete, pain searing through his body. He just makes out the same man from the photo standing over him, his eyes now more shocked than shocking, and cradling a small girl with velvety blonde curls – the same girl Jacin just risked his life to save. To be continued …

Support the Businesses that Support You These businesses brought you this issue of QSaltLake. Make sure to thank them with your patronage. A New Day Spa. . . . . . . . . 272-3900 Area 51. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534-0819 Beehive Bail Bonds. . . . . 328-3329 The Beer Nut . . . . . . . . . . . 531-8182 Bliss Nightlife. . . . . . . . . . 860-1083 Blue Boutique . . . . . . . . . 485-2072 Cafe Med . . . . . . . . . . . . . 493-0100 Cahoots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 538-0606 Club Try-Angles. . . . . . . . 364-3203 Diamond Airport Parking.347-4255 Dennis Massage . . . . . . . 598-8344 The Dog Show. . . . . . . . . 466-6100 Gossip!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328-0255 Healing Hands. . . . . . . . . 654-0175 Jam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jamslc.com Justify’d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 495-5062 Kathy Elton Consulting. . 230-8437 KRCL-FM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363-1818 LastMinuteCruisePro.com Michael Picardi . . . . . mpicardi.net MegaPhone. 595-0005, code 4621 Mestizo Coffeehouse . . . 596-0500 Moab Folk Festival . . . . . . . . . . . moabfolkfestival.com O-Town Derby Dames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .derbydames.net Paper Moon. . . . . . . . . . . 713-0678 Pride Counseling. . . . . . . 595-0666 Pride Massage. . . . . . . . . 486-5500 Pygmalion Theatre Co.. . 355-2787 Teleperformance. . . . . . . 257-5990 TheQPages. . . . . . . . . . . . 649-6663 Red Iguana. . . . . . . . . . . . 322-1489 Sage’s Cafe. . . . . . . . . . . 322-3790 Salt Lake Men’s Choir. . . . 581-7100 Salt Lake Pizza & Pasta. 484-1804 Salt Lake Valley Health. . 534-4666 Sam Weller’s Books . . . . 328-2586 Julie Silveous Realtor. . . . 502-4507 The Tavernacle. . . . . . . . . 519-8900 The Trapp Door . . . . . . . . 533-0173 Tin Angel Cafe. . . . . . . . . 328-4155 Utah Pride C enter . . . . . 539-8800 Village Christmas Shoppe.569-0320 W Lounge. myspace.com/wlounge We Train You Obtain.877-968-6282 West Wendover . . . . . . . . . . westwendovercity.com Jeff Williams Taxi. . . . . . . 971-6287 Dr. Douglas Woseth. . . . . 266-8841

Service Guide ACCOUNTANTS

Heart-Song & Erickson

Terri Busch, LCSW Empathy is a radical act

Individual, Couples and Family Counseling. Life Transitions, Gender/Sexual Identity, Women’s Issues

A Bookkeeping, Payroll & Tax Service

264-9048

(formerly Heart-Song Enterprises, Inc.)

801-484-3941

4055 South 700 East • Suite 102 Salt Lake City, Utah

brook@heartsongaccounting.com tom@heartsongaccounting.com

ELECTRICIANS

ATTORNEYS

LIVE WIRE SERVICE

got debt?

278-1155 / 466-9555

INSURANCE Steven R Fisher Insur Agcy Inc

Steven R Fisher,

Agent, Sandy UT 84070

801-561-1438

It’s Still Possible to File Bankruptcy. Get a fresh start. Call now. LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR, STATE FARM IS THERE®

Providing Insurance and Financial Services

CRIDDLELAW.COM

BUSINESS PRINTING 500 BUSINESS CARDS / $50 500 POSTCARDS / $80

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company – Bloomington, IL. State Farm Fire and Casualty Company – Bloomington, IL. P067001 01/06

Massage

801-649-6663

PUBLISHER OF QSALTLAKE

Cleaning Services We clean houses, apartments, offices and more. One-time, weekly or monthly schedules. We’ll come to you for a free estimate and provide references. We use our own cleaning supplies. Great work ethic. Call Juanita or Manuel at 801‑759-9305.

HEALTH & HIV Officiants

PRIDE COUNSELING

Interfaith Celebrations

801-595-0666 pridecounseling.tv

Advertise in the QSaltLake Service Guide Call 801-649-6663 today.

Aetna ANGLE, HuntR@Aetna.com. . 256-7137 Armed Forces Support Group . . . . 581-7890 LGBTQ-Affirmative Psychotherapists Guild of Utah, www.lgbtqtherapists.com Pride at Work, Utah. . . . . . . . . . . . 531-6137 QUEST (Queer Utah Educators & Students Together). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 809-5595 National Conference for Community and Justice, 359 W Pierpont Ave. . . 359-5102 National Org. for Women. . . . . . . . 483-5188 Pride at Work, Utah. . . . . . . . . . . . 531-6137 Salt Lake County Gay Lesbian & Bisexual Employees, jdonchess@slco.org. . 273-6280 UTAH GAY AND LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, uglcc.org Utah Progressive Network. . . . . . . 466-0955

EDUCATIONAL

Ready for Healthy Changes and New Beginnings?

• Gay Men’s Support Group • Individuals, Couples, Group Counseling • Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Support Group • Substance Abuse Support Group 231 East 400 South, Salt Lake City

POLITICAL American Civil Liberties Union, acluutah.org. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 521-9862 Disability Law Ctr. . . . . . . . (800) 662-9080 info@disabilitylawcenter.org Equality Utah, equalityutah.org . . 355-3479 Human Rights Campaign. . (202) 628-4160 Human Rights Campaign, Utah, hrcutah.org Log Cabin Republicans, Utah lcrutah.org, lcr@lcrutah.org Utah Stonewall Democrats utahstonewalldemocrats.org 455 S 300 E, Ste 102. . . . . . . . . 328-1212

Info & Referral Ctr . . . . . . . . . . . . . 978-3333 informationandreferral.org UofU Women’s Resource Center sa.utah.edu/women. . . . . . . . . 581-8030 UofU LGBT Resource Ctr. . . . . . . . . 587-7973

COUNSELING

Gay and Lesbian Mental Health Services

ALCOHOL & DRUG Alcohol Drug Detoxification Center. . . . . . 363-9400 Alcoholics Anonymous. . . . . . . . . . 484-7871 utahaa.org Sun. 3pm, Acceptance Grp, Pride Ctr Mon. 8pm, Gay Men’s Stag, Pride Ctr Tues. 8pm, Live & Let Live, St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 261 S 900 E Wed. 7:30pm, Sober Today, 4601 S 300 W, Wash. Terr. Fri. 8pm — Stonewall Group, St Paul’s Alternatives, Inc. . . . . . . . . . (800) 342-5429 alternativesinc.com Center for Women & Children . . . . 261-9177 Crystal Meth Anonymous. . . . . . . . 859-4132 crystalmeth.org Sat 7:30pm, Pride Ctr Discovery House. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 596-2111 discoveryhouse.com First Step House, 411 N Grant St. . 359-8862 Harm Reduction Project. . . . . . . . . 355-0234 ihrproject.org The Haven. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533-0070 Metamorphosis, breakaddiction.org 536 24th St, Ste 6-A Ogden . . . 622-5272 339 E 3900 S, Salt Lake . . . . . . 261-5790 Serenity House, uafut.org Substance Abuse Day Treatment . 355-1528

BUSINESS/Professional

BANKRUPTCY • ESTATE PLANS • PROBATE CRIMINAL DEFENSE • BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS Member, National Gay & Lesbian Law Association

801-474-2299

Qmmunity Guide

Rev. Leesa Myers

Commitment Celebrations/Weddings, Baby Blessings, Seminars, Retreats, Spiritual Counseling 801-824-0774 leesahp@msn.com

www.interfaithcelebrations.com

Personal Training

ONE Trainer ONE Goal ONE Ultimate You

For free consultation, call Steve at 688-1918

Camp Pinecliff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 518-8733 City of Hope, Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . . 531-6334 Gay Men’s Health Summit — Village utahgaymenshealth.com Northern Utah HIV/AIDS Project Walk-Ins Welcome. Every other Monday 5–7pm, 846 24th St, Ogden . . 393-4153 People with AIDS Coalition of Utah 1055 E 2100 S. Ste 208. . . . . . . 484-2205 SL Valley Health Dept. HIV/STD Clinic 610 S 200 E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534-4666 University of Utah Department of Family and Preventative Medicine uuhsc.utah.edu/dfpm . . . . . . . 581-7234 Utah AIDS Foundation. . . . . . . . . . 487-2323 utahaids.org

Homeless Services Center for Women &Children. . . . . 261-9177 Homeless Youth Resource Ctr, ages 15-21. 655 S State St . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364-0744 The Road Home, theroadhome.org.359-4142 YWCA, 322 E 300 S. . . . . . . . . . . . . 537-8600

RELIGIOUS & SPIRITUAL

Affirmation — Salt Lake Chapter affirmation.org . . . . . . . . . . . . . 486-6977 Cache Valley Unitarian Universalists 596 E 900 N, Logan. . . . . . 435-755-2888 First Baptist Church of Salt Lake firstbaptist-slc.org, 777 S 1300 E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 582-4921 First Unitarian Church, slcuu.org 569 S 1300 E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 582-8687 Glory to God Community Church 375 Harrison Blvd, Ogden . . . 394-0204 Holladay United Church of Christ 2631 Murray-Holladay Rd. . . . . 277-2631 Inner Light Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268-1137 innerlightcenter.net Integrity/Utah - St. James Church. 566-1311 Lifebreath Center/Interfaith. . . . . . 363-9229 Provo Comm. United Church of Christ 175 N University Ave. . . . . . . . . 375-9115 Reconciliation (Gay Mormons) ldsreconciliation.org. . . . . . . . . 296-4797 Restoration Church of Jesus Christ 2900 S State St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359-1151 Sacred Light of Christ Metropolitan Community Church, 823 S 600 E. . . 595-0052 Salt Lake Center for Spiritual Living spirituallyfree.org 870 E North Union Ave. . . . . . . 307-0481 South Valley Unitarian Univ. Society 6876 S Highland Drive. . . . . . . 944-9723 Unitarian Universalist Church of Ogden 705 23rd St, Ogden. . . . . . . . . . 394-3338

SOCIAL

Affirmation — Salt Lake Chapter affirmation.org . . . . . . . . . . . . . 486-6977 Best Friends Animal Sanctuary strutyourmutt.org . . . . . . . . . . 483-2000 Bisexual Community Forum. . . . . 539-8800 Body Electric — Celebrating the Body Erotic thomasconnor1@hotmail.com.699-7044 Camp Pinecliff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 518-8733 Coloring Outside the Lines . . . . . . 957-4562 Gamofites, gamofites.org . . . . . . . 444-3602 Gay and Lesbian Parents of Utah glpu@hotmail.com. . . . . . . . . 467-9010 Imperial Rainbow Court of Northern Utah, irconu.org Kindly Gifts by Stitch & Bitch. . . . . 487-7008 P-FLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), pflagslc.org Polyamory Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309-7240 1st Tue 7-9:30pm at the Center qVinum gay & lesbian wine group www.qvinum.com Retired & Senior Volunteer Pro.. . . 779-1287 Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire, rcgse.org Southern Utah GLBT Community Center suglbtcc@yahoo.com. . . . (435) 313-GLBT groups.yahoo.com/groups/suglbtcc

Village Summit, utahgaymenshealth.com STRENGTH IN NUMBERS (SIN) SALT LAKE groups.yahoo.com/group/SINSaltLake sWerve, swerveutah.com U of U Women’s Resource Ctr . . . . 581-8030 sa.utah.edu/women U of U LGBT Resource Ctr. . . . . . . . 587-7973 UTAH BEAR ALLIANCE utahbears.com. . . . . . . . . . . . 949-3989 Utah Families Coalition, utahfamilies.org. . . . . . 539-8800 Ext 23 admin@utahfamilies.org Utah Gay Pride, utahpride.org . . 539-8800 Utah Male Naturists, www.umen.org Utah Power Exchange . . . . . . . . . . 975-0346 utahpowerexchange.org Membership@UtahPowerExchange.org UTAH PRIDE CENTER utahpridecenter.org, 361 N 300 W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 539-8800 Toll-free. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 888-874-2743 Utah Queer Events groups.yahoo.com/group/UtahQueerEvents Western Transsexual Support Grp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (435) 882-8136

SPORTS

Lambda Hiking Club. . . . . . . . . . . . 532-8447 gayhike.org Mountain West Flag Football League mwffl.org . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359-2544 Mountain West Volleyball League slcgaa.org . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407-6183 QUAC – QUEER UTAH AQUATIC CLUB quacquac.org . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 671-3367 Salt Lake City Gay Athletic Association, slcgaa.org Salt Lake Goodtime Bowling Lge. . 832-9745 Stonewall Shooting Sports of Utah stonewallshootingsportsutah.org Utah Gay and Lesbian Ski Week communityvisions.org . . . 877-429-6368 Utah Gay Mountain Bike Riders sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/utahgaymtnbike

UNIVERSITY & COLLEGE

Delta Lambda Sappho Union Weber State Univ.. . . . . . . . . . . 627-1639 Gay and at BYU groups.yahoo.com/group/gayandatBYU/ Gay-Straight Alliance Network, gsanetwork. org University of Utah Lesbian & Gay Student Union, utah.edu/lgsu/ Salt Lake Community College Coloring Outside the Lines. . . . . . . . . . . 957-4562 coloring_outside_lines@yahoo.com Southern Utah University Pride suu.edu/orgs/pride/ Utah State University Pride Alliance groups.yahoo.com/group/usupride/ Utah State University Gay and Lesbian Student Resource Center usu.edu/glsrc, usuglsrc@yahoo.com . . . 435-797-4297 Utah Valley State College Gay Straight Alliance, groups.yahoo.com/group/uvscgsa uvsc.edu/clubs/club.cfm?clubID=251 Weber State Univ. Gay Straight Alliance organizations.weber.edu/dlsu/ groups.yahoo.com/group/WeberDLSU

YOUTH Homeless Youth Resource Ctr, ages 15-21. 655 S State St . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364-0744 Gay LDS Young Adults, glya.com TINT (Tolerant Intelligent Network of Teens) Drop-in hours: Tues-Fri: 3 – 9 pm, Sat: 5 – 9 pm , 355 N 300 W. . 539-8800

Nov e mber 20, 20 0 8 | issue 116 | QSa lt L a k e | 47

e g a P k c a B

CHANGE YOUR IMAGE, CHANGE YOUR LIFE...

Lose those unwanted inches, bulk up and put on muscle, and get that six pack you have always wanted all in the privacy of a private studio. Learn how to be healthy and feel great for the rest of your life. Call now and make an appointment for your initial consultation, including complimentary workout and body fat testing.

steven Walker 801-688-1918 pmkirt234@yahoo.com

MITYMe MAssAGe

Call Kevin at 801-792-8569. Taking appts. Mon–Sat 6–10pm, Sundays Noon–8pm.

TIburoN GrILL · resTAurANT

919 South State Street Mexican, Mediterranean, Seafood

OPEN TIL 3AM WEEKENDS 801-521-4449

JOIN US FOR A WILD SPRING BREAk!

Cancun, Acapulco, Negril, Jamaica. Complete trips from $799-$1400 pp Including R/T air, hotel, 14 meals & up to 50 hours of drinks!

Call (877) 512-6768

JEFF WILLIAMS 801.971.6287

DAVID RICKS 801.347.5857

MeeT GAY/bI MeN GAYMATes.CoM

DON’T SHAVE YOUR BALLS Say GOODBYE to unwanted body hair forever!

sHAVebeGoNe.CoM UTAHGAYDATE.COM

reAL WoMeN, reAL ADs Free membership — Join Now!

GIrLDATes.NeT Some Say all the Good Ones are Married or Gay

They’re right. Join utah M4M Now!

uTAHM4M.CoM CALLING ALL MUSICIANS

Send tracks to Utah Free Media. Grassroots broadcasting lives online. UTAHFM.ORG

LesbIAN TeXT CHAT

Look for lesbians with your phone. Join Now! 1 Free Week

uTAHPLAYDATe.CoM

MEET A RICH MAN Meet men in Utah who make over $100,000/year

utahWealthyMen.com

For advertising rates, Call 801-649-6663

$99 CRUISE Great deals on last-minute cruises Miami-Bahamas 2 nights $99+ Miami-Bahamas 3 night $149+ Baja Mexico 3 night $269+ W Carribean 4 night $199+

(Example pricing. Subject to availability.)

LastMinuteCruisePro.com

ADVERTISE ON the BACk PAGE and reach a highly-responsive market. Call 801-649-6663 today! BEST THERAPISTS, BEST PRICE, BEST PLACE, BEST HOURS.

486-5500

1800 S. West Temple #A224

HAIRY? Tired of shaving, waxing, or electrolysis?

SHAVEBEGONE.COM

FIND Your PerFeCT MATCH AT

GAY CHAT ON Q PersoNALs YOUR PHONE Meet Gay Men seeking Love or Action 1 Week at No Cost! Get 1 Free Match

uTAHGAYCHAT.CoM

ESCAPE to YOUR OWN

PRIVATE IDAHO Discover a rare place in scenic

Central Idaho just two hours north of Boise offering world-class, four-season recreational amenities. Exclusively ours, one to 5-bedroom private cottages, chalets, townhomes and estate homes available for nightly rentals. Affordable prices. And, a level of service you’ve come to expect. Make your next vacation uniquely different.

www.valetvacationrentals.com Call 208-325-5100 Tamarack Resort – McCall, Idaho

Find the love of your life, a roommate, someone to see movies with, or just have some fun at

HIGH SPEED CABLE INTERNET $100.00 CASH BACK $19.99/month, free cable modem, wireless router, digital music, videos.

UTAHCOMCAST.COM

HEALING HANDS

boDY AND eNerGY Work bY CHrIsTIAN

• Deep Tissue • Swedish • • Relaxation • Increased Immunity • • Reduced Heart Rate • Improved Blood Pressure • Reduced Pain • • Reduced Anxiety, Depression •

christianallred.com

654-0175

Look Good for the Holidays!