QSaltLake Magazine - December 18, 2008

issue 118 december 18, 2008

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Q World

Q uips & Quotes

Iowa Supreme Court Hears Marriage Case

❝ ❝I’m not going to go in and damage this festival

BY REX WOCKNER

The Iowa Supreme Court heard oral arguments Dec. 9 in Lambda Legal’s case on behalf of same-sex couples who want to marry.

“We put our best case forward and hope that the court breathes life into the Iowa Constitution’s promise of equality,” said Senior Staff Attorney Camilla Taylor.

The couples’ case was argued by former Iowa Solicitor General Dennis Johnson of Dorsey & Whitney.

“The government has no business standing in the way of a loving samesex couple who wants to take responsibility for each other and their family,” Johnson said.

Lambda filed suit in Polk County District Court in 2005 on behalf of six same-sex couples who were denied marriage licenses, arguing that the denials violated the liberty and equality guarantees in the Iowa Constitution.

In 2007, the court agreed that banning same-sex couples from marrying was unconstitutional, and the county recorder and registrar appealed to the state Supreme Court.

One gay couple — Sean and Tim McQuillan of Ames — got married before Judge Robert Hanson quickly suspended his ruling when it was appealed.

Newsweek poll: Support for gay unions increases A Newsweek poll released Dec. 8 found growing public support for same-sex marriage and civil unions.

The poll found that 55 percent of Americans support same-sex civil unions and 39 percent support opening marriage to gay couples.

In a similar poll four years ago, only 40 percent supported civil unions and 33 percent marriage.

When questioned about extending specific rights of marriage to samesex couples, respondents were even more supportive on matters such as inheritance rights (74 percent support), health insurance and employee benefits (73 percent), Social Security payments (67 percent) and hospital visitation rights (86 percent).

Those questioned also supported gay adoption (53 percent) and letting gays in the military come out of the closet (66 percent).

The poll found that 52 percent of Americans oppose amending the U.S. Constitution to ban same-sex marriage and 43 percent support it.

Seventy-eight percent of respondents know someone gay and 33 percent have

— or more importantly damage an experience a filmmaker might have — for talk of boycott.”

—John Cooper, openly gay programming director of the Sundance Film Festival, saying a proposed boycott over the LDS Church’s support for Proposition 8 will not interfere with their plans.

❝ ❝Had the Utah Legislature not balked so vehemently at

Comedian Wanda Sykes addressing a rally in Las Vegas after California’s Proposition 8 passed. a gay family member. Newsweek suggested that knowing gay people may be a key factor that changes attitudes. In a 1994 Newsweek poll, only 53 percent of respondents knew someone gay.

The poll, conducted Dec. 3 and 4, questioned 1,006 U.S. adults and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.

Another poll, a Harris Interactive poll released Dec. 3, found that 75 percent of U.S. adults favor either marriage or civil unions for gay and lesbian couples, and only 22 percent oppose any legal recognition of gay couples. Forty-seven percent said they support same-sex marriage and 49 percent said they do not.

Sykes, Huerta join Equality California boards Out comedian Wanda Sykes has joined the board of directors of the Equality California Institute, and United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta has joined the Equality California board, EQCA said Dec. 9.

“Our two boards have added important new leaders — including many straight allies — from organized labor, faith communities, the entertainment industry and electoral politics,” said EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors.

“With their voices, we’ll be able to build even greater support for equality and fairness.”

Other new members include former state Assemblymember Lloyd Levine, Sal Rosselli, president of SEIU United Healthcare Workers, and Ms. magazine Executive Editor Kathy Spillar.

EQCA is the state’s largest GLBT lobby group.

Sykes came out publicly Nov. 15 at an anti-Proposition 8 rally in Las Vegas.

“When California passed Prop 8 ... I

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felt like I was being attacked, personally attacked,” Sykes said. “I got married Oct. 25. You know, I don’t really talk about my sexual orientation, I didn’t feel like I had to, I was just living my life and not necessarily in the closet, but I was just living my life. Everybody that knows me personally, they know I’m gay. And that’s the way people should be able to live their lives.

We shouldn’t have to be standing out here demanding something that we automatically should have as citizens of this country. And I got pissed off. ... I said, You know what, now I gotta get in your face. And that’s what we all have to do now. ... They pissed off the wrong group of people. They have galvanized a community. We are so together now and we all want the same thing and we are not going to settle for less.”

The Las Vegas rally was part of a national day of protest against Prop 8, organized by JoinTheImpact.com.

There were demonstrations in 300 U.S. cities and towns, including 58 in California.

any hate-crime legislation that included protections for gays and lesbians, the state might now have better tools to prosecute those committing hate crimes against members and property of the LDS Church.”

—Paul Rolly, Salt Lake Tribune ­columnist, writing about the limits of Utah’s hate crime law.

❝ ❝A miscommunication among administrators of BYU’s College of Fine Arts and Communications led to a student’s photography project being removed late Friday afternoon.”

—A statement from Brigham Young University on the removal of student J. Michael Wiltbank’s photographs showing gay BYU students with straight allies from a school-sponsored exhibit.

❝ ❝The whole point of my project and the exhibit was to promote dialogue and discussion and, I hoped, increased understanding among those who might otherwise feel their differences were too great to overcome.”

—J. Michael Wiltbank discussing the exhibit on his blog.

L.A. Episcopal diocese OKs gay-couple blessings

❝ ❝Regrettably, some public voices have even

The bishop of the Los Angeles diocese of the Episcopal Church, the Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno, announced Dec. 5 that priests can officially bless samesex couples’ unions.

The move came just days after a schism that saw hundreds of congregations split from the Episcopal Church and begin the process of forming their own denomination, primarily because they disagree with the pro-gay positions of the Episcopal Church.

The schism’s roots date to the 2003 election of openly gay and partnered Gene Robinson as the Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire.

—“No Mob Veto,” a full page ad in the Dec. 5 issue of the New York Times signed by a number of religious and secular leaders and funded by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.

sought to excuse the threats and disruptions simply as ‘demonstrations’ that got out of hand. Perhaps that’s true in some cases.

Far too many, however, seem never to have been demonstrations in the first place, but more nearly mobs, seeking not to persuade but to intimidate.”

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Q Utah SLC Gays Hold ‘Town Hall’ Meeting To address and help channel the recent surge in gay rights activism in the wake of Proposition 8’s passage, several of Utah’s gay rights groups held a town hall-style meeting in the Tower Theatre on Dec. 14.

In his opening remarks, local activist Jacob Whipple told the crowded theatre that he had asked the groups to come together so that “we could all get on the same page as the community.”

“It’s important that our organizations mirror us,” he said.

Groups represented included the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah, Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons, Equality Utah, the Human Rights Campaign’s Political Steering Committee of Utah, the Utah Log Cabin Republicans, the Utah Stonewall Democrats, Salt Lake City’s Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays chapter, the Proud People of Color Network, the Pride Interfaith Committee, OUTreach Ogden, the Utah Pride Center, and TransAction, the Center’s newly-formed activist group for transgender youth.

After representatives introduced their organizations and explained their plans for securing equal rights for gay and transgender Utahns in the upcoming legislative session, Whipple invited the audience to ask questions and discuss their ideas and concerns.

Some points raised included the effectiveness of signing online petitions supporting Equality Utah’s Common Ground Initiative and the importance of gay and transgender people doing volunteer work in their communities.

One audience member mentioned, for example, that he and several friends had spent the weekend shoveling driveways and passing out literature about gay and lesbian equality.

Bryan Glick of Utah Stonewall Democrats agreed that coming out is one of the best things gay and transgender people can do in their fight for equal rights.

“It’s really hard to discriminate against somebody you see every day as an equal,” he observed.

Attendees also challenged the different groups to work more closely together when coordinating email blasts, Facebook messages and phone trees, to ensure that members of the community did not become inundated.

They also suggested that Equality Utah could gain more traction for its fair housing and workplace bill by extend-

ing it to cover an individual’s political affiliation, which is not a part of Utah’s nondiscrimination laws.

At times, the discussion grew heated, especially when it touched upon such hot button issues as racism and classism in Utah’s gay community.

John Spillman of the Proud People of Color Network commented that a survey put out by the Utah Pride Center seeking feedback for the meeting was insensitive to people of color.

“We were turned off by [the parts] that said, ‘if you’re a person of color, answer these questions,” he said. “We shouldn’t be asking [people of color] to do all the work.” He also mentioned that he knew of few white queer people who had protested anti-immigrant legislation, an issue which is of importance to many people of color.

Equality Utah’s executive director, Mike Thompson, who is Hispanic-

American, apologized for not doing enough for queer people of color.

“You do what’s right in front of you and sometimes you forget to look at the broader picture,” he said. “But I commit to this community and the community at large that when we have our next meeting we will have made real progress on this issue.”

Spillman also stated that activists need to look at how their goals, such as securing hate crimes protections for gay and transgender people, would affect the community at large, including people of color, women and people with disabilities. RadioActive host and QSaltLake columnist Troy Williams agreed, adding that he would like to see the gay community throw its support behind the goals of “social justice” groups, such as those supporting environmental protection, universal health care and women’s

Salt Lake County Prosecutors Reconsider Assault Charges in DJ Bell Case

by JoSelle Vanderhooft

Salt Lake County prosecutors are again considering filing charges against members of a neighbor family who attacked David “DJ” Bell and his partner in July. Bell is accused of kidnapping two children from the family during the early morning hours of a Fourth of July party.

The beatings took place after the mother of one of the children located the two toddlers, crying but unharmed, in Bell’s house next door.

Bell had previously said that he took the children, aged 2 and 4, to his house because they were unable to sleep during the party. He had also said that the children came to his door crying and looking for their mother, a statement which an eyewitness later corroborated.

After she took the children home, five adults from the family broke into Bell’s house and attacked Bell and his partner, Dan Fair, who had been

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sleeping. The adults beat Bell’s head against the driveway outside and cut his face and toe with broken glass.

They also threw a television at Fair’s head and broke his right eye socket.

In August, prosecutors with the county said they lacked enough evidence to file assault or burglary charges against the attackers. At the time, their decision outraged Bell’s supporters, who said that the South Salt Lake police had conducted a “one-sided investigation,” and had not asked for witness statements from anyone inside Bell and Fair’s house at the time of the attack.

At the time the prosecutors made their decision, Tlulu Latu, the mother who found the children in Bell’s house, told the Deseret Morning News that her family members “regret[ted] beating them up [Bell and Fair] as badly as we did.”

“But we don’t feel bad, because what if it [had turned into] another case of

reproductive freedom.

“If we all worked together, we might be able to turn the tide,” he said.

Continuing the theme of working together for the community’s benefit, Rep. Christine Johnson, D-Salt Lake City, organized a food drive at neighboring Continental Cleaners to help the Crossroads Emergency Food Pantry and the Utah Aids Foundation Food Bank. Before the meeting began, Johnson and volunteer Linda Hilton estimated they had received 300 pounds of food and would likely “hit 1,000 pounds” by the meeting’s end.

Her dog in tow, Johnson said that it was “inspiring to see a room full of people who give a damn” and encouraged attendees to speak to their legislators in the upcoming session.

In discussions with her colleagues, Johnson said discovered that other

representatives and senators ranked gay and transgender issues “above abortion and so many other things” in this session. The time for speaking out, she said, has never been more crucial.

In his closing remarks, Whipple asked the representatives to meet and compare notes after the holiday season. He also mentioned that he would like to make the town hall meeting a quarterly event. Q murdered children?” she continued.

Deputy District Attorney Alicia Cook said that the attack has been under review “for some time” now because of a “different theory” about what had happened in the Bell residence that night. This alternate theory, she added was brought up by “someone within our office” and has required “some additional investigation” — an investigation complicated, she said, by the pending criminal case against Bell. She said she could not give details about the new theory prosecutors are considering.

Although many gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Utahns have called Bell and Fair’s beating a hate crime, Cook said her department is not looking at the case again because of their protests, or because of anything written about the case or any statements made by Bell’s attorneys.

Susanne Gustin, one of Bell’s attorneys, called the beating of the men a hate crime.

Cook said it would be “a long time” before her office makes a decision in the case of the beatings.

Bell’s trial is scheduled for April. Q

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straight) family member or friend in that student’s life.

Only, Wiltbank did not identify the sexuality (or names) of either individual.

“I feel that labels only create separation and division and further ungrounded stereotypes,” wrote Wiltbank in a Dec. 5 post to his blog at jmichaelwiltbank.blogspot.com. “We never know who may identify themselves as homosexual and I felt that not labeling these images would force us as a society to question what it is to be homosexual.”

In the same post, Wiltbank wrote On Dec. 5 Brigham Young University officials pulled photographs of gay BYU that he was surprised and saddened that officials had taken down his work. students from a class exhibit in the Indeed, he wrote that he only found out school’s fine arts building.

Four days later, the LDS-owned school when a friend alerted him that the piecrestored the photographs, blaming their es had disappeared and other works in the exhibit had been “rearranged” so removal on a “miscommunication.”

The pictures in question were taken that nothing appeared to be missing.

“While I knew this topic would be by student J. Michael Wiltbank, a controversial (in fact I expected that 28-year-old Mormon photography this would ruffle some feathers) I never major. As part of a project in BYU professor Paul Adams’ class, Wiltbank thought that they would bring it down,” Wiltbank wrote at the time. “Also I took portrait photographs of BYU students who identify as gay. He placed wish that they would have asked me to remove it, or at least had the courtesy each photograph alongside a portrait to ask that I remove it or discuss it with of a supportive (and not necessarily me prior to its removal.”

Four days later on Dec. 9, the school returned the photographs to the exhibit, citing a “miscommunication among administrators of BYU’s College of Fine Arts and Communications” for their removal.

“When that action became apparent after the weekend, college administrators reviewed the decision. Because the project does not violate BYU’s Honor Code, the photographs were re-hung with the student’s permission Tuesday afternoon,” the school said in a statement released the same day.

BYU revised its honor code — the moral guidelines by which all students must abide — in April 2007 to clarify its position on homosexuality. Currently, students cannot be disciplined

Q Utah

BYU Yanks, Then Restores Gay Photography Exhibit

for merely identifying as gay, lesbian or bisexual, but students of any orientation can get in trouble for having sex outside of marriage.

“Brigham Young University will respond to homosexual behavior rather than to feelings or orientation and welcomes as full members of the university community all whose behavior meets university standards,” the code reads. “... One’s stated sexual orientation is not an Honor Code issue.

However, the Honor Code requires all members of the university community to manifest a strict commitment to the law of chastity.”

Before the restoration of the photographs, Wiltbank wrote that he intended to finish his degree at BYU and to abide by the honor code he had signed.

“This is the ethical and honest thing to do,” he said.

Still, he added that he was “pleased” at the university’s decision.

“The whole point of my project and the exhibit was to promote dialogue and discussion and, I hoped, increased understanding among those who might otherwise feel their differences were too great to overcome,” he said. “I think the administration’s action has been a good example of that increased understanding.”

Although the photos’ temporary removal drew much criticism across several gay rights activists’ blogs, including those of Washington, DC-based blogger and writer John Aravosis and sex advice columnist and journalist Dan Savage, Wiltbank said he didn’t harbor any grudges.

“What I wrote on my blog about the removal has been construed as bitter, but I didn’t think it was,” he told the Deseret Morning News. “I think what some said on the Internet went against what I was trying to do with the exhibit.”

To read more about Wiltbank’s photography, including his artist’s statement for the exhibit, visit jmichaelwiltbank.blogspot.com.

Sen. Larry Craig Loses Appeal A Minnesota appeals court ruled today not to allow U.S. Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) to withdraw his guilty plea to a charge of disorderly conduct in an airport restroom.

Craig initially pleaded guilty to the charge after being arrested by an undercover police officer for solicitation.

After the case became public, however, Craig changed his mind and asked that his guilty plea (which he was allowed to mail to the court) be withdrawn. But the District Court judge denied the request and Craig appealed, claiming that the Minnesota law violated his freedom of expression.

The court replied that, “... foottapping and the movement of his foot toward the undercover officer’s stall are considered speech, they would be intrusive speech directed at a captive audience and the government may

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prohibit them.”

The court also dismissed Craig’s appeal that the court should have allowed him to change his mind.

“Appellant has not shown that the district court abused its discretion in denying his petition to withdraw his guilty plea,” the court ruled.

“I am extremely disappointed by the action of the Minnesota Court of Appeals,” Craig said in a statement. “I disagree with their conclusion and remain steadfast in my belief that nothing criminal or improper occurred at the Minneapolis airport.”

Craig now has the option of appealing the decision to the Minnesota Supreme Court.

“I maintain my innocence, and currently my attorneys and I are reviewing the decision and looking into the possibility of appealing,” Craig said.

Q mmunity LGBT Toy Drive Gay rights activists in Salt Lake City are collecting donations of new toys for patients at Primary Children’s Hospital to open Christmas morning. Please only bring new toys in their original packages and no violent toys such as toy swords or guns or violent video games to the following locations until December 22: equality utah, 175 W 200 S Ste. 3001, Mon.–Fri. 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. utah pRiDe centeR, 361 N 300 W Mon.–Fri. 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. qsaltlake, 1055 E 2100 S Ste. 206 Mon.–Fri. 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

So. Utah HIV Testing The Tri-State HIV/AIDS Task Force (formerly the HIV/AIDS Task Force of Washington County) will offer free HIV testing on the second Saturday of January. Results of the oral tests are available within 15 minutes. when: Jan. 9, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. wheRe: Doctors’ Volunteer Clinic, 1036 E Riverside Drive, St. George inFo: (435) 627-2394

Food Drive for Equality Volunteers will be collecting donations of non-perishable food items, toiletries and money for the Utah Food Bank until Dec. 20. Although organized by Park City volunteers, Utahns from all cities are invited to participate. The food drive will end Dec. 20 with Light Up the Night, a candlelight vigil on Park City’s Main Street starting at 4:30 p.m. inFo: tinyurl.com/5p9o44, or Mark Worthen at mworthen@gmail.com or (435) 647-6706.

March at Delicate Arch Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Utahns and their straight allies are invited to show their support for equality for all Utahns by marching to one of Utah’s most recognizable symbols: Delicate Arch in Moab’s Arches National Park. A celebration will follow the march. Carpooling from Salt Lake City is available. when: Jan. 10 wheRe: Arches National Park inFo: tinyurl.com/62dmqa

Capitol Rally A march from the City County Building’s west lawn up State Street to the State Capitol’s south lawn will support Equality Utah’s Common Ground Initiative and call on President Obama to support a comprehensive hate crimes bill and Employment Nondiscrimination Act and to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. when: Jan. 24, afternoon (time TBA) inFo: allforoneinitiative.org

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Q Utah Coming out at Larry H. Miller’s Theater

by JoSelle Vanderhooft

When Ayla Rowley began working for Larry H. Miller’s Megaplex Theatres in 2006, she identified with her male birth sex and went by the name Garret. And for awhile, everything was fine.

“I got promoted about four times in my first year by the company,” said Rowley. And when the company prepared to open its new Ogden location, Megaplex 13 at the Junction Utah, in June 2007 she applied for the position of assistant manager.

“I never figured I’d be a manager, but I thought I’d at least give it a shot,” she recalled. But despite her reservations, Rowley landed the position of assistant manager and moved north from her job at Megaplex 20 at The District in South Jordan. She took to her new job immediately: her team felt like her family and the theatre felt like home. It was the perfect situation, save for one thing.

“I was doing great at work, but it was very difficult for me because I was living a double life,” she explained. “At work I was Garret Rowley, and at home I was Ayla.”

Although Rowley had known she was transgender for several years, she said she always figured she would come to terms with her gender identity “further down the road.”

In January of this year she realized there could be no more delaying, and with that realization came another, this one far scarier: Could she keep her job?

Rowley figured she couldn’t. And not because of Megaplex’s reputation as an anti-gay company. After all, she had joined its staff well after Miller’s controversial decision not to screen Brokeback Mountain in his theatres because of the film’s gay content. And Miller apologized for his decision in 2007, saying that he would have probably decided to show the film if he could make the choice again.

“I was really scared [and] I don’t really think it had anything in particular to do with the company, but everyone I think has that natural fear when they’re coming out, especially in the workplace,” Rowley explained. “And we do live in Utah, which doesn’t have any [workplace protection laws] based on gender identity.”

Ultimately, Rowley figured she would have to leave her job and find a new job after transitioning. With

that scenario in mind she approached human resources manager Kathy Farrow intending to be fully honest. “[I said,] ‘I’m pretty sure you guys aren’t going to be too thrilled with this idea, but I want to know where’s the line. When’s it going to be too much?’” she remembered.

Many gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Utahns know this story well, if only because it has ended

badly for them in the form of arbitrary firing, workplace harassment or a desperate search for legal recourse.

But this is not one of those stories.

Instead of insisting that she would have to leave, Rowley said Farrow looked at her and said, “I think you’ll be kind of surprised.” “[She asked,] ‘How do you want to do this?’” remembered Rowley. “‘Did you want to go on vacation and come back as a woman?’”

Stunned, Rowley said she told Farrow that she thought she would have to quit.

“And she said, ‘No I don’t see any reason for that,’” said Rowley. “’You’re an incredible worker, you’re an asset for our team, we love you to death, and you’ve done incredible things for us.’”

With Farrow’s pledge to make Rowley’s transition “as smooth and comfortable for you as we can,” Rowley said she took two weeks of vacation time in October to undergo gender reassignment surgery. While she was gone, she said Farrow and the human resources department spoke to the Megaplex 13 employees about her transition with Rowley’s permission.

“Honestly at that point, almost everyone knew at work,” said Rowley.

“Maybe some of the newer hires didn’t know, but the vast majority of people knew because they had become my friends, you know? And I’m very open with my friends.”

And her first day on the job as a woman went “incredibly smoothly,” despite Rowley’s fears. It has been smooth sailing ever since, she said.

“I haven’t had one problem, or anyone causing any kind of trouble; I’ve had nothing but support from every manager and team member who works for us. It’s really been incredible. ... They’re all very protective of me.”

And all, she added, includes employees who are members of all religions, including the LDS Church, which made headlines this year for its support of a California measure to re-ban gay marriage in the state.

“I did expect it, especially in a very conservative state,” she said. “I think most people would consider our company very conservative, but truth be told I could have never dreamed prior to that day ... [that] they’d be completely supportive of this.” Q

Gay Group Attacks “No Mob Veto” Ad A group dedicated to fighting what it calls “right-wing propaganda” about gay and transgender people published an advertisement in the Salt Lake Tribune on Dec. 11 decrying what it terms as lies being spread about opponents of Proposition 8.

New York City-based Truth Wins Out ran the full-page ad in response to an advertisement that appeared in The New York Times on Dec. 5. Headlined “No Mob Veto” and sponsored by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, the Times ad decried the “violence and intimidation” Proposition 8 protesters have directed towards the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since the measure’s passage on Nov. 4.

Proposition 8 is the controversial constitutional amendment re-banning gay marriage in California.

The “No Mob Veto” ad said many of the anti-Proposition 8 rallies that have taken place since the measure’s passage seemed “never to have been demonstrations in the first place, but more nearly mobs, seeking not to persuade but to intimidate.”

“When thugs send white powder to terrorize any place of worship, especially those of a religious minority, responsible voices need to speak clearly: Religious wars are wrong; they are also dangerous,” the ad read.

The Becket Fund is a Washington, DC-based public interest law firm that describes itself as “a nonprofit, nonpartisan, interfaith, legal and educational institute dedicated to protecting the free expression of all religious traditions.”

TWO’s ad, called “Lies In the Name

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of the Lord,” said the Becket Fund “grossly distorted” Proposition 8 protests by calling them “mob rule and violent.”

“Nothing could be further from the truth,” the ad read. “Those demonstrations across the country were remarkably peaceful and were a vivid example of Americans exercising their free speech rights, and we think it’s inexcusable for anyone to misrepresent these protests for political gain.”

TWO’s ad also took issue with statements made by three signers to the “No Mob Veto” ad: Rich Cizik of the National Association of Evangelicals; Chuck Colson of Prison Fellowship Ministries; and William Donohue of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights. It quoted Colson saying that Mormons are not Christians, Cizik stating that most evangelical Christians consider the LDS Church to be a cult, and Donohue stating

that the entertainment industry “is controlled by secular Jews who hate Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular.”

“It appears that the only thing these men have in common with Mormons is an uncommon zeal for promoting anti-gay discrimination,” TWO’s ad stated. “These activists are crying wolf on the Proposition 8 protests and are a wolf in sheep’s clothing that preaches religious tolerance while practicing the most defamatory form of religious bigotry. That LDS leaders would cozy up to such anti-Mormon figures is senseless and makes for the strangest of bedfellows.”

In total, 13 people from a variety of religious and secular groups signed their names to the ad including writers, lawyers and Dr. Alveda C. King, Martin Luther King Jr.’s niece.

To read the full ad visit truthwinsout.org.

Lesbian Fired After SLTrib HIV Article On Dec. 1, the Salt Lake Tribune ran a story about HIV in Utah to commemorate World AIDS Day and the 27th anniversary of the illness’ discovery.

Among several Utahns struggling with the disease, the article featured Jess Cox and her partner 29-year-old Amanda Brown, who was infected with the virus in 2002 after an HIVpositive man raped her.

The two women spoke to reporter Lisa Rosetta to help educate the public about the disease. But neither were prepared for where they said the article eventually lead them.

“When we agreed to do the interview with the Salt Lake Tribune we weren’t aware of how big it was going to be,” said Cox. “In our minds we thought

it’d be in the health section somewhere with a little teeny picture.”

But when a photograph of Brown appeared on the paper’s front page, Cox said there was no hiding it from her coworkers at Associates in Orthopedic Surgery, the Jordan Valley Medical Center-owned clinic where Cox worked as a receptionist and Brown was a patient. Everyone read the piece, said Cox, and most of them had supportive things to say.

“I thought at the time it was a good thing. It was an eye opening experience,” said Cox. “Everyone was saying how courageous it was for us to come out and try and educate people about [HIV and AIDS].”

But Cox said she soon realized that not all of her coworkers felt that way.

As she tells it, Amanda Curnico, a medical assistant at the orthopedic clinic and Douglas Burrows, one of the clinic’s doctors said nothing.

Cox describes Burrows as behaving “stand-offish” and Curnico as being “rude” to her and Brown when she saw them having lunch together.

“It was just awkward and I couldn’t really put my finger on anything particular that happened at that time,” Cox said.

But eight days after the article ran, Cox said she was fired. The reason given: that she had made an error

when scheduling one of Burrows’ appointments. Cox said she was surprised when she heard this reason, because such errors do occasionally happen and are usually corrected easily, either by rescheduling or fitting the patient in elsewhere in the doctor’s schedule. However, Cox said that Human Resources Director Misty Birch told her Burrows had said he could not let Cox “ruin his practice with [her] irresponsibility.”

“I had never heard a complaint personally from him before,” said Cox. In her letter to the Utah chapter of the ACLU seeking representation, Cox also said that Birch was “bypassed” in her termination.

“She was very, very surprised that this was something she didn’t know about, and from what I understood it had to go over her to be signed by someone else,” said Cox, adding that she doesn’t know who ultimately signed off on firing her. Further, she said Birch was unable to find any warnings, write-ups or bad performance reviews in her employee file.

Indeed, Cox said that she had received a raise and a satisfactory performance review in November.

At press time, Birch had not returned a call seeking comment on this story.

Although Cox said she has little evidence other than Burrows’ and Curnico’s cold behavior towards her, she thinks the timing of her termination was too close to the article’s publication to be coincidence.

And now, out of work right before Christmas, Cox said she faces several dilemmas. Brown is now in charge of providing for the entire family which includes Cox’s four children (three from her previous marriage, and one from her ex-husband’s first marriage).

Worse, Brown cannot put the children on her health insurance because she cannot adopt them, a situation made even more dire because Cox’s 17-yearold daughter needs medical attention for her pregnancy.

“With her having a teen pregnancy, I’m really trying to push not leaning on government assistance and being independent and having a job where you can provide for your children,” she explained. “I’ve been trying to do that for her by example.” Now, however, out of work and with her exhusband not providing child support, Cox said that she has no choice but to apply for state aid.

“I’m just put in a really bad spot where I definitely feel it was discrimination,” she said. “I don’t feel like I did anything to deserve being let go.”

Now that she has been let go, Cox is trying to find a new job (she said she is currently examining a few prospects).

She and Brown have also contacted the ACLU; on Dec. 12 Brown posted to her blog at amandajbrown.blogspot.com

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that the organization is looking into their complaint. Brown said that she hopes the ACLU can help them.

“We’re already paying thousands of dollars for lawyer fees for Jess’ divorce and we can’t afford to pay more lawyer fees,” she explained.

Brown said the situation is also hard on their four children (ages 7, 11, 13 and 17), who are already struggling to adjust to life without their father.

But whether or not the ACLU determines it can take their case, Cox and

Brown say they will not “step back into the corners.”

“If anything, we’re going to be more public about everything,” said Brown.

And, Cox added, the children say they want to help, too. “[They] want to educate people as much as we do,” said Brown. “They’re extremely intelligent children, well educated and very tolerant.”

Videos for Common Ground

prohibits the legal recognition of any “marriage-like” relationship.

Equality Utah is hoping to collect at least “a dozen or so” video testimonials from members of the community discussing how these bills will affect them and their loved ones, said Keri Jones, the organization’s manager of programs and administration.

“Nothing is more powerful than a personal story, so we hope people share their stories,” whether they are stories of discrimination experienced because of the lack of such legal protections in Utah, or stories of hope for the future, she said. Jones added that Equality Utah hopes to use the videos in several different ways throughout the upcoming legislative session.

Filming will take place in Café Marmalade at the Utah Pride Center (361 N 300 W) on Dec. 17 starting at 7:00 p.m.

Local gay rights group Equality Utah is taking its call for common ground in Utah law to video.

On Dec. 17, leaders of the grass roots organization will be at the Utah Pride Center to film testimonies for in-support of its Common Ground Initiative, a package of six bills they will take to the legislature in January. These bills, all targeted towards securing equal rights for gay and transgender people, address housing and workplace protections; equal health insurance coverage for same-sex partners; rights for same-sex partners to sue in cases of wrongful death; and the legalization of domestic partnerships. The last bill also seeks the repeal of the second part of Utah’s constitutional ban on gay marriage — the section which

To read more about Brown and Cox’s story, and to view their complete letter to the ACLU visit amandajbrown.blogspot.com.

January The Registry that Dares Not Speak its Name On his third day in office, Salt Lake City’s new mayor Ralph Becker announces plans to create a domestic partner registry for unmarried couples in Salt Lake City who can prove that they have lived together for at least a year and are financially interdependent.

Designed specifically to prove interdependency to private employers who offer domestic partner benefits, and to ensure that couples have hospital visitation rights and equal access to city facilities, the registry is easily the most controversial move in Becker’s first 100 days as mayor. The announcement touches off a month-long war over the registry on Capitol Hill.

Fired for Testifying About Discrimination

Transgender woman Ariana Losco is fired from her job at Tooele retirement home Rocky Mountain Care after talking to a reporter from the Associated Press about being harassed on the job after co-workers discovered that she had undergone sexual reassignment surgery 13 years ago. Losco goes public with her story and becomes an advocate for transgender equality, testifying before the Utah legislature on a bill

by Salt Lake City Democrat Rep. Christine Johnson to protect people from arbitrary firing on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Pro-Gay Bills

A number of other pro-gay bills were also introduced during the 2008 general legislative session, including a bill by Rep. Phil Riesen, D-Salt Lake City, for more state funding to combat rising chlamydia and gonorrhea rates; a bill by openly gay Sen. Scott McCoy, D-Salt Lake City, to allow individuals to designate a family member other than a spouse or children to sue in cases of wrongful death; a bill by Rep. Chavez-Houck, D-Salt Lake City, that would allow gay couples to adopt; and a bill by Rep. Lori Fowlke, R-Provo, that would punish parents (or those who coerce parents) into abandoning their children.

Bis are Distinct The American Psychology Association announces that female bisexuality is a distinctive sexual orientation, not a phase in coming out as lesbian. In their announcement, the organization cites a 10-year study by University of Utah psychologist and researcher Lisa Diamond of the sexual behavior and attractions of 79 women identifying as lesbian, bisexual or “unlabeled.”

February Frigid Pride The Utah Pride Center holds its third annual WinterPride, 10 days of parties, dances and other festivities from Feb. 8–17.

Buttars v. Gays

Anti-gay Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, makes good on his prom-

ise to squash Becker’s registry with SB 267, Local Government Authority Amendments. The bill seeks to keep cities and counties from creating any registry “to define, identify or recognize a domestic partnership, civil union or other domestic relationship other than marriage for any purpose.” Many fear that the bill, if passed, will do away with Salt Lake City’s registry and adult designee program, which allows city employees to cover adults who aren’t their spouses on their health insurance plans.

A Dark, Ugly Thing A few days later, Buttars makes national headlines when, on the Senate floor, he says of a bill he does not like, “this baby is black ... this is a dark, ugly thing.”

When another senator calls the comment a breech of ethics, Buttars apologizes, saying he did not intend to be racist. Utah NAACP President Jeanetta Williams calls on Buttars to resign.

No Protection The Utah House narrowly defeats a bill by Rep. David Litvak, D-Salt Lake City, that would allow Utahns to get protective orders against abusive people they are dating. The bill was sponsored

by Equality Utah because it would have offered gay people a measure of protection against domestic abuse.

March Bisexual Pet Lovers Not Welcome Former University of Utah Physics Department ac-

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countant Heidi Borjesson brings suit against the school, alleging that she was wrongfully terminated from her job in 2005 because her supervisor disapproved of her being bisexual and taking personal preference days to care for sick pets.

Licking Our Wounds The legislative session closes with a number of losses to Utah’s gay and transgender people. Of Equality Utah’s several bills, Johnson’s employment nondiscrimination bill and ChavezHouck’s gay adoption bill never make it to the floor for debate. McCoy’s Wrongful Death Amendments bill is returned to the Senate Rules Committee for revisions. However, Fowlke’s child abandonment bill, Reisen’s STD bill and an antibullying bill by Rep. Carol Spackman-Moss, D-Salt Lake City, pass.

A Renamed Registry Buttars’ domestic registrykilling bill is returned to the Senate Rules Committee.

Sen. Greg Bell, R-Fruit Heights, replaces it with a kinder, gentler bill that mandates registries cannot use the term “domestic partner.”

Becker renames the registry to use the term “mutual commitments.”

Ally Week The University of Utah holds “Act Out: Ally Week at the U,” five days of discussions, socials and film screenings to educate people about the gay and transgender community and how to advocate for civil rights.

2008 in April

Be Vewwy Vewwy Quiet The University of Utah closes Ally Week with an observance of the Day of Silence, where students do not speak to protest the silencing of gay and transgender people through violence and discrimination. The Provo School District bans the day, stating that it might “disrupt” classes.

LDS to Meet with Affirmation?

President Monson instructs Fred M. Riley, commissioner of LDS Family Services to meet with members of Affirmation, a support group for current and former gay Mormons, to discuss what Affirmation calls the church’s poor treatment of its gay and transgender members.

SuperGuv The Libertarian Party narrowly nominates Dell “Superdell” Schanze, former owner of Totally Awesome Computers, as its gubernatorial candidate. Schanze, whose purposely annoying TV ads made him a household name in the 1990s, reportedly recorded an unaired anti-gay radio spot.

extend healthcare benefits to the financially dependent domestic partners, live-in family and friends of county employees.

May One Up, One Down Buttars wins the Republican Party’s nomination to seek re-election in November by a single delegate vote.

Meanwhile, anti-gay former Rep. LaVar Christensen wins enough delegate votes to run for office again.

Utah’s ENDA The Utah Legislature’s interim Business and Labor Committee hears Johnson’s employment nondiscrimination bill in a two-hour session. A number of gay and transgender people who have experienced job discrimination testify, as do opponents of the bill, which the committee passes favorably to be debated during the full session.

Dancing in Dixie for AIDS

No Domestic Partners in SL County

The HIV/AIDS Task Force of Washington County, Southern Utah Pride at Zion and resort Kayenta hold an AIDS Walk and Dance to raise money for the Task Force. The event raises over $7,500 for the organization.

The Salt Lake County Council shoots down Democratic councilwoman Jenny Wilson’s proposal to

The California Supreme Court overturns a state ban on gay marriage. Utah Attorney

Marriage Up

Review

General Mark Shurtleff authors a brief on behalf of AGs from 10 states asking the California justices to defer on their decision to legalize gay marriage in the state. The AGs cite “genuine concerns” over gay and lesbian couples tying up courts in their home states by marrying in California and then suing for their marriages to be recognized at home.

June Calling All Saints The Mormon Church issues a letter to all California LDS churches to be read during services. The letter exhorts Mormons to donate money and volunteer time in support of a Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in the state.

UAF Turns Down Grant The Utah AIDS Foundation turns down an $87,000 grant from the Centers for Disease Control that was to be used for its advertising campaigns.

UAF Executive Director Stan Penfold cited the state health department’s refusal to approve ads it deemed sexually suggestive and ads targeting HIV prevention rather than testing as the reason UAF refused the grant.

Pride Draws Thousands The 2008 Utah Pride Festival brings in a record number of exhibitors, sponsors, parade entries and attendees. The

Utah Pride Center estimates that over 20,000 people attended the three day-festival on Sunday alone.

QUAC Womps Members of the Queer Utah Aquatic Club place 70 times in more than 15 events at the 2008 International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics championship in Washington, DC.

Team Try-Angles Rides Club Try-Angles’ team of 13 bikers raises $12,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society during the annual Harmons MS Best Dam Bike Tour. The team places ninth on the list of the highest non-corporate fundraising teams in this year’s ride.

July 4th of July Madness

David “DJ” Bell is accused of abducting two children from his neighbor’s house during the early morning hours of a Fourth of July party. The mother of one child finds the children shortly after in Bell’s house, crying but unharmed. After the children are returned home, members of the family next door severely beat Bell and his partner Dan Fair before police arrive.

No charges have yet been brought against the family.

Beefcake Heathens Chad Hardy, creator of the tongue-in-cheek beefcake calendar of shirtless

Mormon missionaries, Men on a Mission, is excommunicated from the LDS Church.

August Free Agency The Sunstone Symposium, for Mormons and those interested in Mormon history and doctrine to participate in the “free and frank exploration of gospel truths,” is held with a number of panels devoted to homosexuality, and one panel criticizing the church’s increasing involvement in Proposition 8.

LDS to Not Meet with Affirmation?

The LDS Church backs out of the meeting with Affirmation due to Riley’s leaving his position as commissioner of LDS Family Services. When the church does not answer Affirmation’s request to meet with another leader, or with President Monson himself, they hold a press conference on the original meeting date, calling for the church to do more to support its gay and transgender members.

Capitol Hill Assault Fa Moi Moi, 20, allegedly attacks an 18-year-old gay man and two others on Capitol Hill’s Churchill Drive, breaking bones around the victim’s eye. Moi Moi is placed on SLCPD’s Most Wanted list in November.

September Thanks for the Hate Kevin Jennings, executive director of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, says he is honored

to come to Utah and speak at Equality Utah’s Allies Dinner because protests against East High School’s gay-straight alliance in 1995 helped to get his organization off the ground.

More Assaults Cedar City police arrest Jesus Ortega for allegedly stabbing his brother-in-law in the face with a ballpoint pen because he said the brother was trying to turn his son gay. The next week in Salt Lake City, James Burson allegedly assaults a gay man in front of an apartment building while screaming anti-gay insults.

Pride At Zion The sixth Southern Utah Pride Festival in Springdale, attracting the biggest crowd in the event’s history.

More Coupling Goin’ On New census data indicates Utah’s numbers of openly gay and lesbian couples has dramatically risen since 2001.

No on 8

March on Salt Lake

Utah gays send money and some even travel to California to defeat Proposition 8, which would remove the rights of gays to marry there.

Former Utah resident Shawn Cunningham, who now lives in California, announces a plan to bring 250,000 people to a nationwide March on Salt Lake City on March 21, 2009.

November Yes on H8 Proposition 8’s surprising passage provokes nationwide demonstrations against the amendment. Jacob Whipple, Elaine Ball and Patrick York are spured to action and organize demonstrations in Salt Lake. 5,000 rally around the LDS Church headquarters; 2,000 gather at city hall and the capitol.

Grass Roots A number of grass roots organizations and efforts spring up across the country targeted at not only overturning Proposition 8 but at securing equal rights for all.

Calling a Bluff

October Out for Brunch The Utah Pride Center holds its National Coming Out Day Brunch. The Utah Cyber Sluts receive the organization of the year award, John Johnson receives the volunteer of the year award, and Trapp owner Joe Redburn receives the lifetime achievement award.

Our Store The People With AIDS Coalition of Utah opens Our Store: Your Thrift Alternative to help make the organization self-sufficient so it can improve upon its existing programs and offer more services to its clients.

Equality Utah calls on the LDS Church to support its Common Ground Initiative, six bills giving gay and transgender Utahns legal protections the church claimed it supported during the Proposition 8 debate. The church declines comment.

Action, Reaction The Salt Lake City LDS Temple receives an envelope filled with white powder.

The FBI later determines the powder to be harmless.

Vandals also target ward houses across the state.

Police find no evidence connecting the powder or vandalism to gays.

Sue for Your Degree Chad Hardy sues Brigham Young University for refusing to give him his diploma, due to the fact he is no longer a member in good standing of the LDS Church.

LDS Nondisclosure The founder of Californians Against Hate files a complaint in California against the LDS Church for not disclosing its non-monetary contributions to pro-Proposition 8 campaigns.

Anti-Gay Hate Up The FBI announces the number of anti-gay hate crimes reported across the country increased by 6 percent between 2006 and 2007.

December Toys for PR A number of activists organize food and toy drives for the holiday season including Club Try-Angles, Rep. Christine Johnson and Park City activist Mark Worthen.

Perhaps Vigilantism is Wrong After All Salt Lake County prosecutors announce that they are reconsidering filing charges against Bell and Fair’s attackers.

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Q Views Letters Utah Should Uphold U.S. Constitution Editor, I was extremely pleased to read that a spokesman for the LDS Church acknowledges that LGBT couples should receive legal rights equal to those granted to married couples.

It is not my intent to debate the meanings or implications of the term “marriage.” Having said that, if we truly intend to create laws that reflect what is stated in our U.S. Constitution and its 27 amendments, then the time is now for Utah to proceed with rule making to grant civil unions to LGBT couples.

Amendment 14 to the U.S. Constitution was ratified on July 9, 1868.

Paragraphs one and five follow: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

“The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.”

Some states have taken up legislation in areas where the federal government has shirked its responsibility to follow the U.S. Constitution and amendments. I applaud these states for doing so, and challenge the Utah State Legislature to follow their example.

Peter Verschoor Cottonwood Heights

Angry Drag Queens Unite Editor, I — and I am sure that I am not the only one — am truly angered by what I have seen in the news as of late. Did I wake up on the morning of Nov. 5, 2008 and find it open season on the GLBT community? Every time I turn on the news, there seems to be another story about another one of our brothers or sisters being brutalized.

And yet the government, not just the local, but national as well, feels that the GLBT community does not need

equal rights or protection under the law.

I have heard in the news lately that the African-American community feels that our struggle is not the same.

Yet I remember Coretta Scott-King speaking out, saying that “as long as one group of people struggles for equality, it is all of our struggle, as the human community.”

I am tired of ethnic groups telling the GLBT community that “it is not like we choose to be black, Asian, Latino.” It is not a choice! The only choice in the matter is not to live a “lie.” And yet people tell is it is a “sin” to be GLBT. Is it not a greater “sin” to “lie?”

In the GLBT community we are told that it took a group of “Angry Drag Queens” to spark a fire for change. Well I know that the state of Utah has enough “ADQs” to start a huge fire. Some of us may do our bits for charity, and some of us may do it for a living. And I know ... whether each group wants to admit it or not, have a bit of a rivalry. I think we should put aside our differences and I would like to call for all of us to get together throw on our face and march on to the capitol steps, and into the capitol building, and be a loud voice for change. I am issuing this challenge to all my sisters and brothers in the RCGSE, IRCONU, Nova Starr’s Platinum Pussy Revue, Utah Cyber Sluts, Salt City Kings have one person

1 4 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 118 | Dece mber 18 , 20 08

to represent them get a hold of me at angrydragqueen@gmail.com so we can make a change in what is going on in this struggle.

In Service and Respect to All. Kyra Prespentte From Hell Salt Lake City

Thanks for the Christmas Spirit Editor, In this time of economic turmoil, war, hate and bitter cold weather, it was such a breath of fresh air to attend the Salt Lake Men’s Choir’s 26th holiday concert. The warmth and passion with which these men sing brought tears to my eyes and warmth to my soul.

The fact that First Baptist Church is so gay-friendly is also a blessing.

I spoke with more than one parishioner who attended this and many earlier concerts and found them to be genuinely welcoming people.

I had lost hope that I might be able to overcome my melancholy about this year’s holiday season. I left the concert reinvigorated and immediately upon returning home dragged all of my Christmas decor from the basement and decked my halls.

Thanks to the choir and the fine folk at First Baptist for offering up such a joyous gift.

Randy Pendley Murray

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.

Snaps & Slaps SNAP: J. Michael Wiltbank At a time when the anti-gay rhetoric from LDS leadership has been especially loud, the pleas of individual Mormons for respect and tolerance somehow sound louder. One such plea is BYU photographer J. Michael Wiltbank’s recent exhibit at the LDS-owned school. The exhibit features photographs of openly gay BYU students next to a photograph of a supportive person in their lives — a friend, family member or classmate. Although BYU temporarily pulled the exhibit, the photos are back up now, and their honesty and frankness is beautiful. The world — and especially Utah — needs more courageous and loving artists such as Wiltbank.

SLAP: LDS Church It’s been over a month since Equality Utah unveiled its Common Ground Initiative, a set of six bills aimed at securing Utah’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people equal rights through such things as health insurance parity for state employees, employment nondiscrimination and a repeal of the section of Amendment 3 that prohibits civil unions. Coincidently, it’s been more than a month since the church has said anything about not being anti-gay or opposed to same-sex couples having legal protections. Can we say, “busted?”

I think we can. It would sure be nice if Santa brought church leadership a helping of honesty and humility this holiday season, but we’re not exactly holding our breaths on that, either.

SNAP: Queer Lounge Not that any of us really thought that the Queer Lounge, the Sundance Film Festival’s most popular gay hang out, would shutter its doors because of some (mostly clueless) rumblings for a boycott of all things Utah and therefore all things anti-gay (we told you it was clueless). But we’re still glad to see the lounge return for its sixth year, and especially glad to see its organizers reiterating why going to Sundance is more important than ever this year if you’re gay or transgender: to be visible and to make sure that stories about gay and transgender people reach the broadest audience possible.

Q on the Street We asked people to make their case to members and leaders of the Mormon Church as to why gay and lesbian marriage should be legalized.

❝❝

The alternative to a loving gay marriage is anonymous gay sex. Would you rather support a healthy gay union or gay promiscuous behavior?”

—Bryan Glick, 21, student

❝❝

Government-recognized marriage is a contract between two individuals to live with and care for each other, including financial support and making medical decisions. Let the religions marry who they may for spiritual unions, but the government should recognize all civil partnerships under the law.

—Jacob Whipple, 29

❝❝

I’ve been happily married for many years, but now as a gay man, I see that ‘love is love.’ In what specific way is gay marriage a threat that takes away from traditional marriage?”

—Kevin Christensen, pianist

❝❝

Marriage is about caring, responsibility and commitment.

Committed couples should be able to take care of and be responsible for each other.”

❝ ❝Please don’t let a bunch of people who think they know the

right way to worship Christ drive gays out of marriage like they did Mormons out of Illinois.”

—Jesse Parent, 34, software engineer

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just one kind of family. Everyone deserves a government that protects them. Love feels the same no matter whose heart it’s in.”

—David Samsel

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—Will Carlson, public policy manager

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How will two men marrying each other threaten the marriage of anyone else?”

—Miles Olsen, printer

❝❝

One gay couple who has been together 10 years One straight couple who has been together for 10 years Swapping spouses on national TV — priceless What are they so afraid of? If marriage is so sacred to them, why do they enjoy watching other couples’ dirty laundry being aired on prime time tv?

Wife swapping — millionare bachelorette sell off — come on.”

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We live in a democracy where we hold the right to have our voices heard; but we also live in a republic, where the rights of the minority — not just the majority — are valued and defended.”

—Jon Jepsen, 35, insurance executive Dece mber 18 , 20 08 | issue 118 | QSa lt L a k e | 15

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The Q Guide to Dan Savage’s Utah Vacation

Queer Gnosis The Dan Savage Interview

I

by Troy Williams

’ll confess to being a little anxious before my interview with syndicated sex columnist, Dan Savage. He is, after all, the man who can make Stephen Colbert stammer and blush. But I thought I could make an effort to dissuade his support of a proposed gay boycott of Utah — and maybe even encourage him to visit our state and join us in our fight for queer equality. The following was broadcast on KRCL’s RadioActive on Dec. 5.

Troy Williams: Dan, we’ve been talking a lot about you lately.

Dan SAVAGE: Have you? My ears have been burning.

TW: It’s all coming from Utah.

DS: My rights have been shredded and my ears are burning. What’s next from Utah?

TW: Something from the bowels I’m sure — so watch yourself!

DS: I’m going to stick something up the bowels of Utah if it’s not careful.

TW: Well. let’s get into that. I grew up as a gay Mormon — I did the twoyear mission. I’ve seen my church do a lot of heinous political things in its history, but we were all shocked to see the zealous ferocity with which the Mormons in California funded Prop 8.

DS: It wasn’t the Mormons in California. Mormons are 2 percent of the population. Mormons provided 50 percent of the money. And most of that money, 90-plus percent of which came from outside California from individual Mormons who were ordered by the prophet to donate to the campaign.

TW: Have you been to Utah?

DS: I have. I actually went on a tour of the Temple about 10 years ago. I saw the talking animatronic Jesus and got to fill out cards to send Mormon missionaries (maybe you?) to all my friends.

gay community, that we are all horrified at the idea of a Utah boycott.

DS: [laughs] I don’t know how I became the public face of the Utah boycott, which doesn’t even officially exist. I wrote one blog post when in the wake of Prop. 8 I was particularly exercised about it. I haven’t organized a campaign. There’s no Web site.

There’s no official declaration. All it boils down to is that I’m not coming to Utah to go snowboarding this year.

And people are crapping their pants there about that.

TW: Yeah. [laughs] You know, the gay community is on fire right now. And what we would really like to see is a big gay surge into Utah from all over the country.

DS: But how do we get around the fact that faithful Mormons tithe? How do those of us who are not Mormons and don’t live there visit Utah without putting money into the pockets ultimately of the Mormon Church, which is then going to spend it on stripping us of our rights?

TW: We’re going to have to create a guide for you.

DS: Yeah. Perhaps a guide to nonMormon owned everything. I want to know where I can eat without putting money into the pockets of practicing, tithing Mormons. I want to know where I can stay. I want to know who owns the ski resorts.

TW: I’ve been boycotting the Mormon owned Desert Books for years. And we do have our Q Pages.

DS: OK then. If people, progressive and queers want those of us to feel comfortable coming to the state, put out a guide that tells us exactly how to come to the state and support you guys without financing the Mormon Church’s jihad against gays and lesbians.

TW: Absolutely. We’ll get the guide for you! Because I want to call you on a mission, Dan. I want to call you as a missionary. I want you to flood all of Utah ...

TW: Probably. [laughs] You know, what’s been so exciting since this whole thing went down is this exploDS: [laughs] I’ll go door to door in Utah sion of activity here in Utah. All recruiting. these wiki-queers have risen up and spontaneous, leaderless, peer-to-peer TW: Please! I want you go to BYU networking has been happening. and terrify the co-eds and chase People have been fired up. And I the missionaries. I want a Million think I can speak universally for the Queer March on Salt Lake City.

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DS: That would be great. So long as you can find lodging for all of us that isn’t Marriott and isn’t going to finance our own oppression. I mean, I know it’s upsetting to some folks in Utah. Including some folks at the City Weekly who dropped my column.

But it’s more upsetting what has been done to us.

TW: I talked to the editor of the City Weekly today and I said I want to see your column restored, not just online, but I also want to see your column actually in the hard copy every week here in Salt Lake City.

DS: Yeah, I wasn’t too upset about losing an online perch. Anyone reading me online can read me anywhere. If they really wanted to run me, if they had balls, they’d put me in print.

TW: I’m curious, Dan. Richard Kim from The Nation and Tim Dickinson from Rolling Stone have recently published interesting articles critiquing the No on 8 Campaign, and what a lot of people are saying is that despite the Mormons and the black community, ‘No on 8’ was ran poorly.

DS: The more we learn about the ‘No on 8’ campaign, the clearer it becomes that it wasn’t very well done. That doesn’t excuse bigoted check writing and bigoted voting. To say that you ran a lousy campaign therefore you should be stripped of your rights is like saying, “Oh, you got raped but look at what you were wearing.

Your skirt wasn’t long enough. Your campaign wasn’t good enough to prevent us of depriving you of your civil rights.” That’s crap. That’s blaming the victim.

TW: Dan, what is your advice to the queer progressive community in Utah?

DS: I think you should move to a saner place.

TW: [laughs] OK. What about Plan B? DS: Plan B is to stay and fight. And you have our support. But you’re not going to have my presence this year.

Unless you can get that guidebook together that will show me how I can move through Utah in a bubble without spending money in Mormonowned businesses.

TW: We can do that.

Podcast the entire interview (and listen to Dan take calls) at queergnosis.com.

So that Dan Savage may trek through the state of Utah “in a bubble without spending money in Mormon-owned businesses,” we have put together this itinerary: Day 1: Make reservations at Hotel Monaco in downtown Salt Lake City, or if you’re interested in a more quiet, intimate setting, try gay-owned Under the Lindens B&B, which is also located downtown.

Land at Salt Lake International Airport. While waiting for your bags, grab a quick brewskie at Squatters Pub in Terminal 2. After retrieving your luggage and rental car, stop at allied-owned Red Iguana (probably the best mexican food in Salt Lake City), just a few short miles east of the airport.

Once you’ve checked into your accomodations, performed the three S’s, head to gay-owned Market Street (also downtown) for a fabulous dinner. Then check out any number of the several local gay and gay-friendly bars/nightclubs in Salt Lake, such as Jam at the Marmalade, Club Try-Angles, Gossip, Trapp Door, Trapp, Babylon, W lounge, Paper Moon, etc. If you think the gay bars are owned by Mormons, you must be high. Then again, you are from Seattle.

DAY 2: Spend the day skiing or snowboarding at Robert Redford’s Sundance Resort near Park City, Utah — the Greatest Snow on Earth! On your way back to your accomodations, go to gay-owned Cafe Med for the best Mediterranean food in the city.

Maybe take in a movie at Tower Theatre or Brewvies Cinema Pub (you may buy a beer and take it into the theater with you).

DAY 3: On your way to Grand Junction, Colo., stop at any one of the tasty cafes in Torrey, Utah, the home to the Redrock Women’s Music Festival. Peruse the scenery and shopping in Moab, Utah, one of the most liberal cities in Utah. At least they voted against a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, unlike Calilfornia. Q

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by Ruth Hackford-Peer

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’ve never been more proud to be a part of the gay community.

I’ve also never been more disappointed.

The coming together to protest in the wake of Proposition 8 passing astounded me. Meanwhile, the ‘No on 8’ folks’ handling of their campaign and their decision not to utilize gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in their media strategy was unsettling. Calling on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to support basic protections for queer people — protections they claim to support — was heroic. And the LDS Church’s silence in regard to the Common Ground Initiative was not surprising. The renewal I felt after watching Milk was rejuvenating. The dismal showing of gay parents at an Equality Utah meeting to strategize about the adoption bill was unacceptable. I’ve been surprised and thrilled to see straight allies stepping up

to join us in this struggle. And, I’ll admit it, the belief of some that I as a queer person can single-handedly destroy civilization and cause the obliteration of the nuclear family makes me feel powerful.

And overall, I find the racist and transphobic handling of this new movement by the national gay media to be unconscionable.

I believe there is value in pointing out commonalities between and among different kinds of oppression as a way of finding common ground and as a way of understanding the power structures that keep us (all oppressed people) marginalized. But that, to me, is where the usefulness ends.

For example, a useful argument might be illustrating that the same arguments now being used to deny gay and transgender folks rights were used historically to deny other marginalized groups similar rights.

Gay and transgender people have heard the argument that allowing same-sex couples to marry would fundamentally alter the institution of marriage and would subsequently destroy civilization. Dr. Robert Dabney, who was a theology professor in his day, said something similar about women’s suffrage: “What then, in the next place will be the effect of this fundamental change when it shall be established? The obvious answer is that it will destroy Christianity and civilization in America.” Let me repeat, he said this over 100 years ago.

A not so useful example of trying to find such commonalities would be the recent Advocate cover. It proclaimed “Gay is the New Black” and followed that with, “The Last Great Civil Rights Struggle.” This cover sends the mistaken message that racial minorities have achieved equality, and it completely denies the existence of, and the struggles faced by, transgender folks. Now in the article itself, there’s a tenuous balance of not claiming the only pain and injustice available in this country. But for the many who see the cover and don’t read the article there’s only this: • The stereotype that gays are white.

• The non-existence of transgender people and their lives.

• The partitioning of different kinds of oppression rather than discussing the complex overlapping of our shared experiences — as gay people,

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as people of color, etc.

The truth is that the white gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community has not shown up en masse to oppose anti-immigrant laws, racial profiling, and the numerous other struggles people of color (gay and straight) deal with on a daily basis. The mainstream gay movement in many ways, in many places, is still like the early women’s movement: It is not a vast coalition of social justice-minded folks who want equality for ALL. Many white gay folks have not analyzed or even acknowledged the impact white privilege (the benefits society gives to white people just for being white) has had on their lives, and many are truly not allies in the struggles of people of color in this country.

Similarly, many queer folks rattle of “LGBT” without any real regard for the T. The Gender Public Advocacy Coalition just released their “70 under 30” report. In the last 13 years 70 gender non-conforming people under the age of 30 who were murdered in the United States as victims of hate crimes — a number that increased by 20 since 2006, when the report

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was called “50 under 30.” This report shows just how dangerous it is for gender-nonconforming young people in this country, especially for young people of color. The report pointed out that many of the victims were black or Latina.

While so many of us are (rightly) worried about marriage equality, there are still so many pressing problems within our community — problems of drug and alcohol addiction, youth homelessness, hate crimes, and the lack of any workplace or familial protections in many states, including Utah. Let’s keep the involvement alive, but let’s not base it all on marriage.

And let’s also not forget that we’re not the only people who face oppression.

Getting back to that article in the Advocate I mentioned earlier, there’s one very problematic statement amid the tenuous balancing act. The article’s author asks why this movement doesn’t have a “Martin Luther King Jr., a telegenic brilliant spokesperson to whom all of America can relate?” What’s the problem? My movement does have a Martin Luther King Jr. His name is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. King’s dream was for all of us. Is your dream for him? Q

I find the racist and transphobic handling of this new movement by the national gay media to be unconscionable

Gay Geeks Repo! Madness

by JoSelle Vanderhooft

C

onfession is supposed to be

good for the soul, especially when you’re confessing something that is so embarrassing it’s actually funny. So, geeky ones, my holiday gift to you starts with a truly lulz-worthy confession: When I was much younger and much more foolish (i.e. 23), I had a crush on Paris Hilton — a crush that drove me to actually watch The Simple Life and a number of other shows I shouldn’t have.

I got over it, of course. But out of curiosity I still sometimes look around to see what Ms. Hilton is up to. So when she walked onstage at the David Letterman show this weekend, I assumed she was there to promote another z-grade comedy flick in which she makes an appearance.

Maybe Bottoms Up 2 or Pledge This! 2: Hazing Means Not Having to Say You’re Sorry.

I didn’t expect her to be promoting Repo! The Genetic Opera, a little-known and sadly, little-released rock opera about genetic engineering, plastic surgery addicts, blind opera singers, troubled father/daughter relationships, face-stealing rapists and repo men who repossess hearts, livers and lungs as if they were defaulted speed boats. And who does Paris play in this? Amber

Sweet, a spoiled rich girl addicted to sex, plastic surgery and the powerful futuristic painkiller Zydrate, who struts, purrs and postures her way through “Zydrate Anatomy,” one of Repo!’s many infectiously catchy numbers.

Damn. Who says the gal doesn’t have a sense of humor about herself? Not to mention a good set of pipes. One little clip, and I was hooked. It was like The Simple Life all over again, except with more blood, guts and perversity. Like a Zydrate addict searching for her next hit, I had to have more, more, more.

“To the internet!” I cried, startling my cat.

Repo!’s creators were all too willing to satisfy my twitching. Along with the full clip of “Zydrate Anatomy,” I found a few more songs, ‘making of’ documentaries, trailers and a solid synopsis of the film. I’ll give you the teaser: In the “near distant” future, a series of organ failures has devastated our planet. Out of the chaos, the tyrannical corporation GeneCo rises, complete with all your organ needs and easy financing plans for your pocket book. The only problem? If you’re over 90 days late with your payment, they send a masked repo man to messily reclaim

Dece mber 18 , 20 08 | issue 118 | QSa lt L a k e | 19

their property. Into this mix add one guiltwracked repo man father and his sheltered, chronically ill teenage daughter, who wanders into this violent world after sneaking out one night and who becomes gradually more and more enmeshed in GeneCo’s machinations. Oh, and Sarah Brightman. Remember that opera singer I mentioned? Yeah. That’s her. Paris Hilton, Sarah Brightman, and more big hair, eyeliner, impossible dresses and camp than you’d find at an international drag show.

This movie’s not just a bloody mess, it’s a bloody gay mess!

Call it Rocky Horror meets splatterpunk, Alice in Wonderland meets Rob Zombie, Jacobean tragedy meets Goth culture. Call it whatever you want, but I’m in love with the Goth/industrial/ rock/club soundtrack and the few clips I’ve seen. And if you don’t mind gore, weirdness and blood-black tragicomedy and Paris Hilton, I think you will be, too.

Unfortunately, Utahns who want to support the movie can’t do so in the most obvious way just yet, thanks largely to distributor Lionsgate doing what distributors do best with films that take risks: Wandering away and leaving Repo! to molder in direct-to-DVD land. There have been only a limited number of screenings of the film since its Nov. 7 release — and most of these in bigger metropolises than our cozy little burgh.

But it seems that patience, like confession, is a virtue. The Salt Lake Film Society has had the film listed in the “upcoming attractions” part of its Web newsletter for awhile now, and Brewvies’ Web site also lists Repo! under the “coming

soon” header, along with Twilight and the new Star Trek movie. So hopefully one or both places will be able to screen Repo! before it comes out on DVD in late January. I say hopefully because this is definitely the kind of movie you want to see on the big screen, with a bunch of rowdy friends who may break out into snarking, laughing and dancing in the aisles at any given time. It’s Generation Y’s Rocky Horror Picture Show. And can you imagine what would’ve happened if that movie had gone straight to DVD without the midnight screenings that helped it achieve cult fame? Yeah. We might all be saying “Rocky what?”

So until such happy time as we Utahns can see this bloody bonbon of a movie, I plan on doing anything else I can to support the team behind Repo! The Genetic Opera: buying the soundtrack (which is well worth the download price of $9.99), posting regularly on the Web site’s forums (repo-opera.com if you haven’t already googled) and checking out the clips and interviews online. If you’re still skeptical about Repo!’s awesomeness, you can also check out a “pre-surgery sampler” of the music at repo-opera.com/secretdownload (your password is “geneco”). I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

I’m sure not disappointed in Paris Hilton after last weekend. If she keeps staring in crazy independent rock operas, who knows? I might even move from not-disappointed back to full blown celebrity crush. But since there’s a very fine line between confession, TMI and “Oh, JoSelle, no!”, pretend I didn’t just say that. Q

respective organizers Jacob Whipple and Elaine Ball) were in their 20s or younger. While some worried that this activist fervor would die down as 2008 moved towards its end, the momentum has only grown and changed, from outrage at Proposition 8 into a commitment to securing equal rights for all Americans regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

As strange as it may seem, we at QSaltLake believe that Monson and the Mormon Church are somewhat responsible for this resurgence in U.S. gay rights activism now known as “Stonewall 2.0.” Many of our readers seem to agree. When editor and publisher Michael Aaron posted a comment on his Facebook page on Dec. 9 asking for nominations for our Person of the Year, a majority of commenters picked Monson and/or the LDS Church. For those readers who would disagree and are shocked — or even offended — by our choice, it is important to remember the criteria of such important recognition.

Like other newsmagazines, we too choose a person or oganization that has had the greatest impact ( in our case, on the GLBT community) — for good or for ill over the past year.

As in Monson’s case, it has been a lot of good and ill, not just for gays in Utah and California who now have to deal with Proposition 8’s afterthat banded together in a coalition shocks, but for the Mormon faithful to support Proposition 8, it received the most attention in the news media as well. The controversial measure — a fact likely due as just as much to has ripped apart Mormon families, isolated gay Mormons and parents the United States’ historic dislike of of gay Mormons from their church, Mormonism as its members’ enthuand has caused many faithful to resiasm. sign their memberships. A list of the Yet, Monson’s call for his flock’s more vocal grievances can be found help in passing what gay activon SigningForSomething.org, a Web ists quickly dubbed “Prop Hate” site launched by Nebraska Mormon had consequences neither he nor Andrew Callahan who ran afoul of even most gay people could have LDS leadership last summer for pubpredicted. Heartened by Barack licly opposing the church’s stance on Obama’s presidential victory on the same evening, protesters took to the Proposition 8.

And just as the church’s tactics in streets in several U.S. cities singing, waving signs and chanting Obama’s this legislative ultimately brought gay people together, it seems it may ubiquitous campaign slogan, “Yes do the same for fair-minded straight we can!”

Mormons who choose to stay in Two such demonstrations even church and bear their testimonies took place in Salt Lake City. In in support of gay people at Sunday the first, held on Nov. 7, over 3,000 sacrament meetings. While Presimarchers shut down the street around Temple Square in a peaceful dent Monson originally set out to define civil marriage to match his demonstration that surprised the church’s vision, he may well have conservative city and dominated started a movement that will end local news coverage for days after. in his church expanding its vision The second, held a week later at the of what it means to be married and City County Building, garnered the American. Because of one ill-advised same notice from news networks letter, we may one day look back on and drivers, many of whom honked Proposition 8 as not only an unforand waved in support of the marchtunate chapter in U.S. history, but ers, some of whom were old enough a chapter that also allied gay people to remember the 1969 Stonewall and Mormons in the ongoing fight Riots and many of whom (including for social justice. Q

Person of the Year LDS CHURCH PRESIDENT

THOMAS S. MONSON

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hen new

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Thomas S. Monson signed the now-infamous letter urging California Mormons to “do all you can” to support efforts to pass Proposition 8, he could not have anticipated the effect that signature would ultimately have.

Certainly, the letter and the Salt Lake City-based church’s many missives, Web broadcasts, canvassing efforts and commercials that followed it played a large part in urging California voters to pass the constitutional amendment that re-banned gay marriage in the state.

Overall, Mormon donations to various pro-Proposition 8 campaigns are reported to have totaled somewhere between $22 and $25 million.

And while the Mormon Church was ultimately one of many religions

20 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 118 | Dece mber 18 , 20 08

... And the Runners-Up QSaltLake readers were not all in agreement about who we should choose as our person of the year.

Here are some other individuals who received a lot of reader recommendations.

Realtor Julie Brizee for her work with the Utah AIDS Foundation.

Philanthropist Bruce Bastian for his tireless financial and moral support of Utah’s gay community.

This year, Bastian donated $1 million to the ‘No on 8’ campaign to fight Proposition 8, California’s controversial constitutional amendment that re-banned gay marriage in the state. His charitable organization, the B.W. Bastian Foundation, regularly gives grants to organizations “who wholeheartedly embrace the principle of equality” for all Americans, including gays and lesbians.

Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, for his tireless efforts to thwart legislation giving gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Utahns legal protections. And presumably for his infamous “black baby” comment that nearly cost him his re-election. Buttars, however, has already been our person of the year.

Activist Jacob Whipple, for pulling together a protest of Proposition 8 at the LDS headquarters and for taking a prominent role in Utah’s resurgent gay rights movement. As commenter William Munk put it, “He gave us focus.”

Will Carlson, Equality Utah’s manager of public policy. “May not know him, but they should,” said commenter Brandon Daniels. “ [He] has written and passed laws to benefit the GLBT community. Will [is] one amazing advocate for us on Capitol Hill.

The GLBT community should know the man who gives them a voice so powerful that he can even work with Sentor [sic] Buttars.”

And as usual, QSaltLake publisher and editor Michael Aaron got a slew of nominations, for his efforts in bringing the community this newspaper. Unfortunately, he had to decline on grounds of journalistic integrity. And, you know, humility.

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Come see Salt Lake City’s newest and greatest Thrift store, where all P r o c e e d s b e n e f i t t h e p e o p l e w i t h a i d s c o a l i t i o n o f u ta h To donate items, please come to the receiving area at the back of the building. Enter through the Stoneground Pizza parking lot.

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Dece mber 18 , 20 08 | issue 118 | QSa lt L a k e | 21

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Food & Wine

Meditrina

by Michael Aaron

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.

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Starting a new restaurant is always a gamble. Starting one in an economy where people think twice, or even thrice, before dining out might even steepen the odds. A new restaurant started by two women — Jen Gilroy and Amy Britt — may just buck those odds and become a Salt Lake culinary staple.

A group of six friends, who all happen to be members of the qVinum gay wine club and who all love trying new dining experiences, set out to try Meditrina Small Plates and Wine Bar last week in its third week of existence.

We were first struck with how approachable the space was — simple furnishings, clean lines, exposed brick walls, a purple ceiling — how could you go wrong? The wine list was long but not daunting, as was the food menu.

As most do at a small plate restaurant, akin to the Spanish tapa restaurants, we chose to eat family style and nibble on a wide variety of fare.

Let the onslaught begin. We started with an antipasto plate of cheeses, cured meats, olives and bread. This was not your Olive Garden antipasto plate; this was high-end artisan cheeses and meats and probably the best olives I’ve tasted.

We moved onto the flank steak and asparagus stack served over the house specialty: garlic leek mashed potatoes.

This and the “lollipop lamb chops” were

our favorite dishes of the evening. Both were cooked and seasoned to perfection.

We also tasted the hummus plate and mushrooms and brie plate which were great complements to the others.

Our wine selections for the evening were a bottle of the Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec from Argentina and a Dry Creek Heritage Zinfandel from Sonoma Valley. Both worked well with our choices of food.

We smiled at the beer selection, which ranged from a $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon (in the can) to a 25-ounce $20 Chimay Grand Reserve from Belgium or Rogue Double Dead Guy from Oregon.

Our waiter, Tim, helped make our experience a genuinely wonderful evening. He has worked in resort restaurants across the globe and has a deep knowledge of wine pairing and the restaurant’s menu. He’s also not too hard on the eyes, which is also helpful.

I was so pleased with our evening, I returned a few days later for lunch and had the signature dish — Shepherd’s Pie. Beef with vegetables cooked al dente under the garlic leek potatoes. I heartily recommend the Shepherd’s Pie for a cold winter’s lunch.

Take a group of friends and make an evening out of Meditrina. Or head out for their $7 lunch special. You’ll be hooked.

Meditrina Small Plates and Wine Bar, 1394 S. West Temple, 801-485-2055, meditrinaslc.com

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a show, but most importantly it benefits people living with AIDS.

Q A&E

6pm, Black Box Theatre, Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. Broadway. Tickets $20, 355-ARTS or arttix.org.

Gay Agenda Homos Frolicking in the Snow

by Tony Hobday

I went to my friend OB’s surprise birthday party last week at the Organ Loft, and surprise, surprise, there were plenty of lofty organs to be played with. One of the things I love most about OB is his flashy personality; when everyone yelled “Surprise!” to him as he walked through the door, his reaction — or surprise — was as unmoving as a Keanu Reeves performance. But on the inside his heart was frolicking about like a smittened schoolgirl. He is one of the friendliest straight boys I’ve had the pleasure of knowing.

QQ Ski Out Utah is a social club of skiers and snowboarders who often “frolic in the snow,” but tonight they’ll be frolicking about at Club Jam during the Winter Avalanche Party. I believe the night will be filled with waxing and plowing and freeriding ... ooh lala.

9pm, Club Jam, 751 N. 300 West. Free, visit skioututah.com.

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SUNDAY — TRASA Urban Arts Collective presents their second annual patron appreciation Solstice Celebration and Fundraising Gala. They will celebrate the darkest day of the year in anticipation of the returning light with a preview of My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, a performance and art installation under the direction of Gary Vlasic and artist, Colour Maisch.

6–10pm, Pickle Company, 741 S. 400 West.

Free, festive attire encouraged, 450-8977 or thepicklecompany.org.

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SATURDAY — For all of you that are ready to party the day after Christmas — usually I just need the ‘morning after’ drug — Gossip is throwing a Holiday Wish party. DJs Naomi and Tony Marino light the dance floors

8pm, through Saturday, Sugar Space, 616 E. Wilmington Ave. Tickets $10–12, 888-3007898.

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FRIDAY — Yes, I’m showing my age here, but I’m still younger than most people I know ... and cuter, tehehe!

Anyhoo, Neil Diamond is a fabulous pop singer and had had many hits during the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. Even today he has a huge following. Some of his hits include “Sweet Caroline,” “Song Sung Blue” and “Heartlight.”

Don’t miss this extraordinary night, plus he usually has a very shiny wardrobe ... absoultely fabulous!

8pm, Energy Solutions Arena, 301 W. South Temple. Tickets $27.50–120, 866-448-7849 or ticketmaster.com.

Major Events of the Community december 20 RCGSE Snowball 2008 ­ rcgse.org january 10, 2009 QSaltLake Fabulous Fun Bus to Wendover ­ gaywendover.com january 7–11, 2009 Utah Gay & Lesbian Ski Week, Park City ­ gayskiing.org january 9–11, 2009 Queer Spirit Winter Retreat, Spring City ­ 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

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thursDAY — Sugar Space Artist in Residence Recipient Laura Blakely presents Warm Heart Dark. This dance explores the metaphoric side of the heart — its kitschy uses as a symbol of love and passion and beyond that, aspects that are often neglected through the shadows and darkness found within it. The performance explores some of these ideas, revealing that part of loving is dark and even painful at times. Hmmm ... a real pick-me-up for those single and alone for the holidays.

Save the Date

June 6–7, 2009 Utah Pride ­ utahpride.org

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SATURDAY — Apparently Club Try-Angles doesn’t have $22 million to spend on hate, but dammit Gene, you better have at least $5 million to spend on my birthday gift. Anyhoo, in celebration of all the fabulous donations received for the “fill Club Try-Angles patio” food drive (which ends today) the bar is hosting their very popular Underwear Night.

All donations go to the Utah AIDS Foundation.

9pm, Club Try-Angles, a private club for members, 251 W. 900 South. Free to members, donations encouraged, 364-3203 or clubtry-angles.com.

QQ It’s that time of year again for those cream-filled, coconut-endowed sweeties of the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire to host their annual Snowball fundraiser ... I’m not even sure if I get it. Anyhoo, this is a wonderful, frolicking night themed “An Evening of Traditional Elegance” and includes dinner and

26 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 118 | Dece mber 18 , 20 08

on fire. Plus, Nova Starr (I bet her Christmas wish came true ... more than once) presents “The Last Dance of 2008.”

10pm, Gossip at Club Sound, a private club for members, 579 W. 200 South. Free to members, myspace.com/gossipslc.

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SUNDAY — In observance of Kwanzaa, a week-long celebration of African-American tradition and American customs, UMFA hosts the annual Kwanzaa Celebration.

Participate in children’s art workshops, music, dance and poetry from around the world and enjoy great food. They will also be showing an exhibition of Kente Cloth during the celebration. Free admission to the museum today, but food donations are encouraged for the Utah Food Bank.

Noon–4pm, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, 410 Campus Center Drive, UofU. Free, 585-7163 or umfa.utah.edu.

June 20, 2009 HRC Utah Gala ­ hrcutah.org June 25–28, 2009 Utah Arts Festival ­ uaf.org July 24–26, 2009 Utah Bear Ruckus utahbears.com August 1–2, 2009 Park City Arts Festival kimball-art.org August 7–8, 2009 Redrock Women’s Music Festival, Torrey redrockwomensfest.com August 19, 2009 EU Allies Dinner equalityutah.org

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

QQ For all the gay guys out there who don’t have family to share this holiday season with, check out The Village’s annual Homo for the Holidays event. This will be a potluck event, but hor d’oeuvres, eggnog, hot chocolate and ciders will be provided. There’s also a “recycled” White Elephant gift exchange, Holiday caroling, speed meeting, and ‘wear your ugliest sweater’ theme.

7–11pm, venue to be announced. Free, 4872323 or utahaids.org.

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TUESDAY — Not that I’m a fan of the television show that this tour is representing, but I feel it somewhat necessary to show support for Lance Bass; I mean the poor fag is no longer in a boy band, he only garnered third place in the competition and he didn’t get to go into outer space. Anyhoo, the Dancing with the Stars Tour hits Salt Lake tonight, go show your support for ex-Mrs. Reichen.

7:30pm, E Center, 3200 S. Decker Lake Dr. Tickets $52.50–$195, 801-988-8800 or theecenter.com.

QQ I don’t know if the members of Ski Out will be frolicking on the Big Stick in Deer Valley tonight, but it sure sounds like a lot of fun. The annual Deer Valley Torchlight Parade will be held on Big Eagle Mountain this year. Complimentary hot cider and cookies will be served. The Big Stick is best viewed from the upper deck of Snow Park Lodge.

6pm, Deer Valley Resort, 2250 Deer Valley Drive, Park City. Free, 800-424-3337 or deervalley.com.

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WEDnesday — Before you go out partying tonight for New Year’s Eve, say at, Babylon’s Prom Night or TryAngles or Paper Moon or Gossip or W Lounge or Club Jam or downtown’s First Night, I highly suggest you first stop at one of the following locations to pick out my birthday gift (I’ve registered at each one): Mischievous, Cahoots, Blue Boutique, All for Love and Victoria’s Secret. Thanks and many luvs!

UPCOMING EVENTS JAN. 9 Suzanne Westenhoefer,

Rose Wagner jan. 10 Fabulous Fun Bus to Wendover feb. 22 Celine Dion, ES Arena APR. 14 Britney Spears, ES Arena

Review Sean Penn is Whole Milk

by Tony Hobday

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27-year film career thus far, Sean Penn has accumulated four Oscar nominations and one win, four Golden Globe nominations and four Independent Spirit Award nominations — one of which is for his portrayal of Harvey Milk in the recently released film Milk. Even though the film includes an impressive supporting cast, Penn is a scene stealer — which is quite a feat when you’re in every scene of a two-hour movie. Oscar nominations for the 81st annual Academy Awards will not be released until January, but if Penn is overlooked for his role in the film, it will be a great shame.

Milk is a biopic about Harvey Milk, the first openly gay public official to make office in 1978. For those of you who were not yet conceived or still wetting the bed or too self-absorbed as a hormone-raging teenager in the 1970s, you may not know much about Harvey aside from his assassination.

Openly gay director and screenwriter, Gus Van Sant and Dustin Lance Black, respectively, offer a genuine perspective of who Harvey was as a politician, but even more so as a gay man. Harvey had an anti-corrosive self-esteem, a charismatic smile and demeanor, and a dry wit that packed a punch. Those qualities are expertly drawn out by Van Sant, Black and Penn, which keeps the tone of the movie on the lighter side, considering its subject matter.

The film recounts Harvey’s life and career — using some flashbacks and flashforwards — from 1970 to his untimely death in 1978, at the age of 48. After a brief encounter in a New York subway station, Harvey and Scott Smith (the smoldering and sexy James Franco) slip into a relationship that summons them to San Francisco to start a new life together. Once there and nearly out of marijuana money they open a camera shop in the Castro district, then quickly learn that the neighborhood isn’t as gay-friendly as they thought.

The film quickly moves through Harvey’s decision to run for a seat on the city’s Board of Supervisors and through his first couple of failed elections, but it does so without losing any depth to the film. The sequence also introduces Cleve Jones (Emile Hirsch), a street kid who eventually becomes Harvey’s protege as a gay activist.

After Scott leaves Harvey in 1975, Harvey starts a relationship with Jack Lira (Diego Luna), an unstable ver his

Dece mber 18 , 20 08 | issue 118 | QSa lt L a k e | 27

young man with an abundance of insecurities. He also hires a new campaign manager, Anne Kronenberg (Alison Pill), who becomes his stepping stone to finally being elected into office.

With anti-gay housing and employment legislation running rampant across the nation including California’s own Proposition 6, an initiative to allow school boards to fire all known gay teachers and school workers, Harvey’s struggle for gay rights within his own district becomes more difficult. He seeks out the support of fellow supervisor Dan White (Josh Brolin), the film’s hot-tempered protagonist with an apparent junk food addiction. After a falling out between them, and after Dan resigns from the Board, he spirals into an unthinkable act.

Van Sant uses authentic footage of police raids, pride parades and television clips to pull the audience into the gay community’s turbulent ’70s. But the protest/rally scenes shot on-location ignite the strongest of emotions.

Shot upclose and with what literally

seemed to be thousands of extras, the audience may very well feel they are physically rallying on the streets with them.

Will Milk be a box-office hit?

With the frightening similarities to current-day gay-rights obstacles, and with it’s unobtrusive matter-of-fact delivery of a historic civil rights movement, it will be nothing less than a sharp wake-up call.

Milk is now playing at Broadway Centre Cinemas, 111 E. Broadway. The film contains brief nudity and a lot of man-on-man kissing ... that’s freakin’ hot!

Suzanne

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Dece mber 18 , 20 08 | issue 118 | QSa lt L a k e | 27

Sundance Proposed Utah Boycott Won’t Stop Queer Lounge Calls for a boycott of Park City and the Sundance Film Festival will not affect the return of the independent festival’s most popular gay hangout.

Directors of the Queer Lounge have announced that the popular haven for gay and gay-friendly festivalgoers will be held again this year, despite talk by some gay activists of avoiding Utah because of the role the LDS Church played in the passage of Proposition 8 in November. The Queer Lounge puts on a number of events throughout the festival, such as parties and panel discussions on queer-themed movies.

Earlier this year, leaders of the Utah-based church called for members to give financial and volunteer support to the constitutional amendment re-banning gay marriage in California. Overall, Mormons are estimated to have contributed over $22 million to campaigns in favor of the amendment. The church’s support caused many gay rights activists, including sex columnist Dan Savage and blogger John Aravosis, to call for

a boycott of Sundance as well as the state’s ski slopes.

“The Mormon church [sic], and its associated businesses, are free to foment discrimination against gay and lesbian Americans, but we are also free to stop frequenting the businesses of those who would make our children bastards, and we their parents second class citizens,” wrote Aravosis in a Nov. 6 post to his Web site, AmericaBlog.com. “It’s time to stop funding those businesses and individuals who promote hate. And let’s start with the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. It’s high time Sundance found a better state to party in than the seat of the Mormon Church.”

Ellen Huang, Queer Lounge’s founder and program director, disagreed, however.

“It’s more important for us to be in Utah. It’s more important for us because of the passage of Prop 8 in California,” Huang told the Park Record earlier this month. In fact, she said, “a number of organizations” had looked to the not-for-profit Queer Lounge

An evening with “a skilled purveyor of sophisticated twang” UtahFM presents

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to “take the lead” on promoting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender visibility at this year’s festival.

She added that she expected that gay filmgoers would attend this year’s festival, even if the boycott is definitely “an undercurrent.”

In November, Neil Giuliano, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (which has sponsored the lounge since 2008), also encouraged gay and transgender people to go to Sundance.

“To not do so would render the LGBT community invisible at this critical entertainment industry gathering, and nothing would make our adversaries happier than if we were to render ourselves invisible,” he said in the prepared statement, adding that the film festival was the “single most important opportunity” gay and transgender people had for their stories and experience to reach a “broad

audience.”

Some gay-friendly filmgoers are likely thinking twice about attending Sundance films screened at the Holiday Village 4 movie theater, owned by Cinemark whose CEO Alan Stock donated $9,999 in support of Proposition 8. To honor this boycott, festival director Geoffrey Gilmore told The New York Times that all films screened at the Holiday Village Theater would also be shown at another location.

When asked if Sundance had considered abandoning the theater, Gilmore said a lack of other movie houses in the area prevented them from doing so.

“We don’t have an alternative,” he said. “If we had another theater we could walk down the street to, we might be thinking about that.”

The 2009 Queer Lounge is scheduled to be held at 608 Main St. in Park City from Jan 15–21. Q

Sunday, January 18

One night only at Rose Wagner. $35 general admission.

$75 vip includes a drink, meal, soundcheck access and meet-and-greet.

21+. Only 250 tickets available.

Tickets on sale beginning December 22nd at 801-355-ARTS or ArtTix.org

GRASSROOTS BROADCASTING LIVES ONLINE

Festival Roundup

through the innocent eyes of a 15-year-old boy. Cast: Alec Baldwin, Kieran Culkin, To help you prepare your choice of films to see at Timothy Hutton, Cynthia this year’s Sundance and Slamdance film festivals, Nixon, Emma Roberts.

we have provided a list of gay-themed movies (titles in pink), films featuring out cast members and a few films that arts editor Tony Hobday found interesting enough to recommend. We will feature the full line-up of movies, showtimes and special events of each festival in the Jan. 8 issue of QSaltLake.

SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL Adventureland / USA WORLD PREMIERE

In 1987, a recent college graduate takes a nowhere job at his local amusement park and discovers the job is perfect preparation for the real world. Cast: Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, Bill Hader.

returns to life, but when the baby develops a desperate appetite for human blood, Madeline is faced with a mother’s ultimate decision.

Cast: Jordan Ladd, Samantha Ferris, Gabrielle Rose, Malcom Stewart, Stephen Park, Serge Houde.

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

Earth Days / USA

CLOSING NIGHT DOCUMENTARY FILM WORLD PREMIERE

The history of our environmental undoing through the eyes of nine Americans whose work and actions launched the modern environmental movement.

I Love You Philip Morris / USA WORLD PREMIERE

The true story about con artist and imposter Steven Jay Russell, a married father whose exploits land him in the Texas criminal justice system. Based on the novel

by Houston Chronicle crime reporter Steve McVicker.

Cast: Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor, Leslie Mann, Rodrigo Santoro.

The Informers / USA NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

A drama based on Bret Easton Ellis’ novel, set in the 1980s, focusing on wealthy Angelinos consumed by a decadent lifestyle. Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Kim Basinger, Winona Ryder, Mickey Rourke.

La Mission / USA SPECTRUM

Everything Strange and New / USA SPECTRUM

Trapped by a life he never intended, a man struggles to navigate family, sexuality and drug addiction.

Cast: Jerry McDaniel, Beth Lisick, Rigo Chacon Jr., Luis Saguar.

A traditional, Latino father in San Francisco’s Mission District struggles to come to terms with his teenage son’s homosexuality.

Cast: Benjamin Bratt, Erika Alexander, Jeremy Ray Valdez, Talisa Soto Bratt, Jesse Borrego.

Mary and Max / AUS OPENING NIGHT ANIMATED FILM

The tale of two unlikely pen pals: Mary, a lonely 8-yearold girl living in the suburbs of Melbourne, and Max, a 44-year old severely obese man living in New York. Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman (voice), Toni Collette (voice), Barry Humphries (voice).

Lymelife / USA SPECTRUM

Set in the 1970s, a unique take on the dangers of the American dream seen

WORLD PREMIERE

A handsome young man survives in Los Angeles by seducing wealthy older women. Cast: Ashton Kutcher, Anne Heche.

Spring Breakdown / USA WORLD PREMIERE

Three thirtysomething friends attempt to break the monotony of their uninspired lives by vacationing at a popular spring break getaway for college students.

Cast: Rachel Dratch, Amy Poehler, Parker Posey, Will Arnett, Rachel Hamilton.

White Lightnin’ / UK

Once More with Feeling

/ USA

/ USA

A comedy about a high school poetry teacher who learns that the things you want most may not be the things that make you happy.

Cast: Robin Williams, Daryl Sabara, Alexie Gilmore, Tom Kenny, Geoffrey Pierson.

SPECTRUM

A comedy about a psychiatrist who undergoes a midlife crisis and pursues his longlost ambition of becoming a singer through karaoke.

Cast: Drea de Matteo, Linda Fiorentino, Chazz Palminteri, Susan Miser, Lauren Bittner.

Passing Strange / USA SPECTRUM

A musical documentary about the international exploits of a young man from Los Angeles who leaves home to find himself and ‘the real’. A theatrical stage production of the original Tony-Award winning book by Stew. Cast: De’Adre Aziza, Daniel Breaker, Eisa Davis, Colman Domingo, Stew.

Rudo and Cursi (Rudo y Cursi) / MEX U.S. PREMIERE

Two siblings rival each other inside the world of professional soccer. Cast: Diego Luna, Gael García Bernal, Guillermo Francella.

WORLD PREMIERE

WORLD PREMIERE

Spread / USA

Two soldiers from different generations form a unique bond as they cope with their assignment with the Army Casualty Notification department. Cast: Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson, Samantha Morton, Jena Malone, Eamonn Walker.

Shrink / USA

Grace / USA After losing her unborn child, Madeline Matheson insists on carrying the baby to term. Following the delivery, the child miraculously

A comic tale centered on manure salesmen in the early 1960s. Cast: Téa Leoni, Billy Bob Thornton, Kyle MacLachlan.

WORLD PREMIERE

Død Snø (Dead Snow) / A group of teenagers had all they needed for a successful ski vacation; cabin, skis, snowmobile, toboggan, copious amounts of beer and a fertile mix of the sexes. Certainly, none of them anticipated not returning home alive! However, the Nazi-zombie battalion haunting the mountains had other plans. Cast: Vegard Hoel, Stig Frode Henriksen, Charlotte Frogner, Jenny Skavlan, Jeppe Beck Laursen.

WORLD PREMIERE

Unable to come to grips with a recent personal tragedy, Los Angeles’ top celebrity psychiatrist loses faith in his ability to help his patients.

Cast: Kevin Spacey, Keke Palmer, Mark Webber, Dallas Roberts, Saffron Burrows.

Vincent Allen goes to the doctor for a diagnosis. The diagnosis: he’s an asshole.

The Dirty Ones

The Watch / Argentina

Two Mennonite sisters are traveling throughout Southern states with the body of their dead grandmother lying in the trunk bed.

World’s Greatest Dad SPECTRUM

SUNDANCE SHORTS

ANIMATED SHORT

Dark family secrets cast a shadow over Bill’s recovery; in this second chapter to Don Hertzfeldt’s ‘Everything will be OK’. (Winner of the 2007 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Grand Jury Prize.)

Set to the original audiocassette recorded by Harvey Milk in November 1977 to be played, ‘in the event of my death by assassination.’

A Mate / Finland Pera wants to try something kinky in the bathroom and he asks his straight mate to help him. However, Pera’s wife comes home a bit too soon.

Abbie Cancelled Two couples who have never met find themselves engaged in an awkward dinner after their mutual friends cancel at the last second.

A highly intelligent but troubled gay black teenager sets out to seduce an HIVpositive prevention advocate into giving him the virus.

Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Undead / USA James / Northern Ireland A young Irish man grapples with the impulses and thoughts about being gay.

Knife Point An evangelical family passing through upstate New York gives a ride to an unusual traveling knife salesman.

The Nature Between Us Radical dudes, mega babes and a secret crush stumble into a neon-drenched universal oneness.

A young mother struggling with post-partum depression inadvertently connects with her infant child through attempts to sort out her sexual relationships.

DOCUMENTARY

The Young and Evil

SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

Nobody Knows You, Nobody Gives a Damn

575 Castro St.

Two young men find a surprise connection during an impromptu sleepover.

I Am So Proud Of You

WORLD PREMIERE

The outrageous cult story of Jesco White, the dancing outlaw. Cast: Ed Hogg, Carrie Fisher, Muse Watson, Wallace Merck, Clay Steakley.

Small Collection A love story caught in the corridors of memory.

Through fragments of conversations still echoing in now empty places, we piece together the record of a relationship cut short.

Asshole

Manure / USA

The Messenger / USA

Norway

Acting for the Camera An acting class. Today’s scene: the orgasm from ‘When Harry Met Sally.’

WORLD PREMIERE

A theatre director takes a job directing a play that uncovers a two thousand year conspiracy involving vampires, Shakespeare, and the holy grail. Cast: Jake Hoffman, Devon Aoki, John Ventimiglia, Jeremy Sisto, Ralph Macchio.

The Slammin’ Salmon /USA

WORLD PREMIERE

The owner of a Miami restaurant indebted to the mob institutes a contest to see what waiter can earn the most money in one night. Cast: Cobie Smulders, Michael Clarke Duncan, April Bowlby, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Paul Soter, Steve Lemme, Erik Stolhanske.

Predisposed A conservative son is pulled into the messy mission of helping his manipulative drug addicted mother score.

In working together they realize they’re not so different, and that some personal qualities are deeply embedded in our genes.

Sister Wife DOCUMENTARY

DoriAnn, a Mormon Fundamentalist, shares a husband with her younger biological sister. During a private bathing ritual, DoriAnn explores the surprisingly universal challenges of her marriage.

Weather Girl / USA WORLD PREMIERE

A Seattle weather girl freaks out on-air over her cheating boyfriend, the morning show anchor, and moves in with her little brother. Cast: Tricia O’Kelley, Mark Harmon, Jane Lynch, Kaitlin Olson, Jon Cryer, Patrick J. Adams, Ryan Devlin.

See sundance.org and slamdance.com

Dece mber 18 , 20 08 | issue 118 | QSa lt L a k e | 29

O T N I W O D N I AW E C N A D N U S T A A M E N I C

• NETWORKING

The HUB for QUEER and QUEER-FRIENDLY FESTIVAL-GOERS during SUNDANCE and other PARK CITY FILM FESTIVALS

• PARTIES • QUEER FILM INFO • FREE WI-FI • PANELS

queerlounge.org EVENT DESIGNER

MEDIA SPONSOR

OFFICIAL AIRLINE

UTAH SGAY &LESBIAN NEW S &EN TERTAINMENT M AGAZINE

QUEER LOUNGE IS A PROGRAM OF THE GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST DEFAMATION (GLAAD), WHICH IS DEDICATED TO PROMOTING AND ENSURING FAIR, ACCURATE AND INCLUSIVE REPRESENTATION OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS IN THE MEDIA AS A MEANS OF ELIMINATING HOMOPHOBIA AND DISCRIMINATION BASED ON GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION. FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO WWW.GLAAD.ORG. QUEER LOUNGE IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH SUNDANCE OR ANY FILM FESTIVAL. PHOTO BY GABRIEL GOLDBERG. DESIGN BY BEVERLY LORENC.

30 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 118 | Dece mber 18 , 20 0 8

Local Short Accepted into Slamdance Q doku

By Tony Hobday

For most independent filmmakers, being accepted into a film festival is a difficult task. However, Salt Lake City film director Frank Feldman recently heard that his short film, Vapid Lovelies (reviewed and featured in QSaltLake’s Fall Arts Preview, Aug. 28 issue) had been accepted into this year’s Slamdance Film Festival.

“As an independent filmmaker, I couldn’t be happier to be a part of the Slamdance Film Festival,” said Feldman in a press release.

“I feel like the independent spirit of this festival is a perfect fit for our film. Our cast and crew absolutely flipped out at the news.”

Slamdance, which runs concurrent to the Sundance Festival, has gained great notoriety over its 13-year history. Known for it’s edginess and strong commitment to independent film, Slamdance, which is based in Los Angeles, has developed a loyal following among film fans and industry professionals alike.

The film features local actors Chris Lemon, David Luna, Dan Beecher and Cameron Jones, each of who participated in writing the sensational, hilarious script: Skylar and PJ are a

Homoscopes

Sometimes we just need a jolly little “push” to get things done. Well maybe not Christmas shopping, but other things. No sooner said than done when Sun enters Capricorn and conjuncts Mars. A less-thanattractive opportunity suddenly becomes a must have. Get a frog under the mistletoe and watch as they turn into royalty. Or maybe not?

e

aRies (Mar 21 - Apr 20)

Gay Rams feel like they are on the short end of a professional stick but this week turns sticks into golden divining rods or maybe golden parachutes. Try your best. Step up to the corporate plate and hit a home run. You have much more resources at your disposal than you think. Santa says that you have been nice. Maybe its time to be naughty ... or underhanded.

r

tauRus (Apr 21 - May 21)

You have probably been travelling more but enjoying it less. Take heart queer Bull, there is a good lesson to be learned from all your travels and travails; everything falls into place this week. Who knows; You may learn a thing or two that will prove to be extremely rewarding on many levels through the new year. Vodka in eggnog may be one of those lessons.

couple of “despicable gay boys” who steal a fur coat, compete over a sexy new neighbor in their apartment complex, cock block Alexis Baigue (also a popular local actor) and call upon a pyschic drag queen when their “in” to the Sundance Film Festival who’s-who is threatened.

The film will appear as part of

Shorts Block 2, which will screen twice during the festival — Friday, Jan. 16 at 1:00 p.m. and Monday, Jan. 19 at 11:00 a.m. The Slamdance box office and film screenings will be located at the Treasure Mountain Inn, 255 Main Street, Park City, UT. For more information about tickets and other films in the festival, visit the Slamdance website at www.slamdance.com.

t

GeMini (May 22 - Jum 21)

Heat up your sexuality this week but allow lovers and potential lovers a long long rope. (maybe for lassoing - ho ho ho.) You might be surprised at the range of desirable matches available to you this week. The secret is to take your time and choose carefully. There are so many beautifully wrapped packages under the tree but what does each box contain?

y

canceR (JUN 22 - JUL 23)

Just when you are tempted to toss it all away in a particular relationship, you are pushed to rearrange your priorities this week. During this season of goodwill, try to forgive those wet towels on the floor or dirty underwear on the pillow. There is much to recommend your current relationship. Gay Crabs should not take any firm stands now. Try reclining or prone. Ahem.

u

leo (Jul 24 - Aug 23)

Even if you feel like a mangy old rat on a treadmill, this week is a bit more festive at work. Even the most onerous job becomes a little more interesting and lucrative. Try to learn as much as you can from every little boring task. Proud Lions soon begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel at work. (Let us hope that it is not the light of an oncoming train...)

i

viRGo (Aug 24 - Sep 23)

If too much is piled on your goodie plate this week, don’t panic.You may be feeling a holiday fatigue but you

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.

Easy

3 5 8 8 6 4 3 9 5 7

7 2

7 4 8 1 3 1 6 1 6 4 9 2 8 8 4 6 1 4 3 4 1 2 5 3 3 5 2 5 2 6 7 7 4 6 2 5 6 4 1 5 8 6 7 4 4 1 8 7 5 8 3 are certainly no slouch when the party train pulls into the station. But all play and no work make proud Virgins susceptible to a lay off. Use this opportunity to hone your more artistic and creative skills and apply it to the job. Err so what’s your motivation?

o

liBRa (Sep 24 - Oct 23)

Queer Libras may find their home life a center of activity during this holiday week. Take the bitter with the better in any family situation; who knows what breakthroughs are possible now? The secret is the strive for mutual respect, if you possibly can.

Of course they may have their inane opinions but as long as you remain proudly true to yourself (and spike the nog) you prevail.

p

scoRpio (Oct 24 - Nov 22)

Gay Scorps may inherit a rare case of foot in mouth this week. But alls well that ends well as the frank opinion that you blurt out may be just the bit of fresh air needed to get things on track again. Say what you mean after careful consideration. Perhaps it’s time to write your new years manifesto.

Then use it to manifest your destiny. Whoo hoo! No names please.

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saGittaRius (Nov 23 - Dec 22)

Money lessons hit fast and furious this week. All that glitters may not be gold so get your values in sync with your personal finances. A holiday shopping spree puts you in the hole but could prove to be a valuable lesson. Hmm. Perhaps gay Archers should Scrooge it up, tamp it down and save

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their pennies for the after Christmas sales.

How boring!

]

capRicoRn (Dec 23 - Jan 20)

There is more than enough jolly activity going on in your life this week. Pink Caps should take their pride to the streets while this festive energy propels you into the limelight and makes you a star.

Be kind and magnanimous to all; you never know who will figure prominently in your life’s goals and it would be a shame to snub ‘em before you get a chance to rubadub them.

q

aqueeRius (Jan 21 - Feb 19)

A spark of intuition leads to new rewards this week. Aqueerians are best served by volunteering for the less fortunate this holiday season. The problem is that you may not see this work as a glamourous role.

But grab it while you can and make it a social connector. Once you finish the tough work, you will be poised and ready to rub elbows with the tinseled deep pocketed set. Ho ho ho.

w

pisces (Feb 20 - Mar 20)

Who knows what pals are capable of during this holiday week? Try not to be too suspicious of all the friendly goings on; you may jump to the wrong conclusions and upset the applecart of true comradeship. Go with the flow Guppie and dance to their tune. The group may in fact direct you to your life’s mission (or a great gift) so stop kvetching and listen!

Dece mber 18 , 20 0 8 | issue 118 | QSa lt L a k e | 3 1

Q Guide to Christmas and New Year’s Eve Even Utah’s snow and ice can’t stop the celebrating as 2008 winds down. Here’s what Salt Lake City’s gay and gay-friendly clubs are doing to send another weird year behind the Zion Curtain out in style.

Club Bliss: 404 S W Temple Dance club and bar Bliss will put the X in Xmas with its Bad Santa Party on Christmas Eve. Hosted by Masood and Orbet Entertainment, the naughty celebration will have tunes spun by DJ Juggy and DJ Latu and photos with the club’s own bad Santa taken

by ThatGuyGil.com. To reserve VIP tables and bottles or to make party reservations, contact Riley at (801) 860-7180.

On New Year’s Eve, the club will turn up the heat with its all-male review.

Area 51: 348 W 500 S

Salt Lake City goth/punk/industrial hot spot Area 51 will celebrate the season with three parties. The first is an ’80s Xmas Ball held on Christmas Day. DJ Radar will spin for this “80s flashback party,” which includes $4.50 Vodka energy drinks, and, in the truest sense of the ‘Me decade,’ presents for everyone.

Although the party kicks off at 9:00 p.m. the club will be open before that time. Cover charge is $3 before 10:00 p.m. and a mere $5 after. Ladies get in free before 10 as well.

The club will host Fetish Ball: Dominance & Submission on Dec. 27.

Doors open early at 8:00 p.m. and partiers, of course, are asked to dress to their fetishes.

The club’s “legendary” New Year’s Eve Party will kick off Dec. 31 at 8:00 p.m. with six DJs spinning on both the club’s floors.

Upstairs DJ Jeremiah, DJ Darren Weight, DJ Radar and DJ Himself will tag-team the night away with alternative, electronica, dance, ’80s and request music. People who like their music to be a little darker should head down-

stairs where DJ Evil K and DJ Viking will play industrial, gothic and Darkwave music. Along with music to satisfy all tastes, the club will also offer drink specials and passes to come to the club for free on the following Friday.

There will also be $1000 in cash and prize giveaways and, of course, a cash cannon.

Because the New Year’s Eve party has sold out in previous years, club owners advise patrons to arrive early (doors open at 8pm).

Club Try-Angles: 251 W 900 S Club Try-Angles’ food drive will run up through Dec. 20, and bar-goers are asked to bring cans of nonperishable food and toiletry items to be given to the Utah AIDS Foundation Food Bank. On the final day of the food drive, club owner Gene Geiber will donate all the cash in the till to the organization along with a $500 donation from the club and QSaltLake. To celebrate the generosity of everyone involved, the now-infamous Underwear Party will ensue the night of Dec. 20.

On Dec. 24 the popular bar and club will hold its annual Christmas Eve party.

Unfortunately, said Gieber, Santa Claus, the night’s guest of honor, will probably not be able to make it this year.

“He’s taking the year off,” he explained.

The club will be open Christmas Day and will offer revelers a selection of light foods such as deep fried poppers and hors d’oeuvres.

The club will also hold a New Year’s Eve party featuring a buffet dinner and Gieber’s take on a honey-baked ham in what he calls “the classiest New Year’s Eve party in town.” Along with classy, the party is also so popular that it is reservation-only.

“If they don’t have their reservations, they better hurry!” Gieber said, laughing.

Club Gossip: 579 W 200 S Home to diva extraordinaire Nova Starr and her troupe of lovely girls, Club Gossip will hold its Xmas Wish party on Dec. 19 complete with a hunky Santa Claus, sexy Go-Go elves and a birthday bash for DJ Naomi, who has been spinning tunes for 15 years. Nova promised there would be some surprises for Naomi, but in true diva fashion would not

32 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 118 | Dece mber 18 , 20 08

reveal what those would be. The party, she said, is also an opportunity to give back to the community: partiers who bring a new toy for the club’s Toys for Tots Drive will get a discount on their cover charge.

On the day after Christmas, Gossip will hold Holiday Wish, featuring tunes by DJ Naomi and Tony Marino, the club’s unusually hot bartenders, and Nova’s special “Last Dance of 2008” at midnight.

Holiday Wish won’t technically be the last dance the club will see this year, though. On New Year’s Eve Gossip will host the Black and Blue Leather Masquerade featuring performances by Nova and her girls and the appearance of “two huge porn stars.” When asked who the hot men will be, Nova said that she couldn’t give details just yet.

She did promise, however, that the party would be “huge and fun,” and the club’s cover charge would be lower due to the economic downturn.

“We’re trying to throw an amazing New Year’s Eve party for people to help them forget that we’re not where we want to be now [economically speaking],” she said.

As the name of the party may indicate, attendees are invited to dress in black and blue.

Paper Moon: 3737 S State St Salt Lake City’s only lesbian club, the Paper Moon will be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for “people who don’t have a place to go” to celebrate the holiday, said employee Rachel Gibbons.

Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve (which falls on a Wednesday this year) for an all-request night featuring dollar drafts and $2 well shots, which cover such drinks as tequila, vodka and rum.

“We drink a lot of tequila on Wednesdays,” joked Gibbons.

The club will open again on Christmas Day at 6:00 p.m. for a karaoke day complete with dollar drafts. There is no cover charge before 8:00 p.m. After 8:00 p.m. the cover charge is $2.

On New Year’s Eve, the club will also open at 6:00 p.m. The festivities will include

a live DJ and door prizes and giveaways, such as t-shirts, hats and a trip for two offered by club owner Toni Fitzgerald.

“It could be anywhere from Italy to Florida, it’s basically winner’s choice where they go,” said Gibbons.

The cover charge for New Year’s Eve is $8 for members and $10 for nonmembers.

Jam: 751 N 300 W Salt Lake’s newest gay club in the Marmalade District will hold four parties this holiday season. The first is the Winter Avalanche Party on Dec. 19. Sponsored by SkiOUT Utah and featuring JAM Master Mike Babbitt, this party will have no cover charge.

Club doors will open at 9:00 p.m.

On the following day Jam will hold its Sexy Santa Party where patrons can get their photos taken with Santa. Sponsored by Mischievous Pleasures, this party will feature DJ:K. No cover charge before 10:00 p.m.

Portland’s songwriter of the year Tyler Stenson will perform at 9:00 p.m. on Dec. 23 ($5 cover charge), and the club will hold its New Year’s Eve Bash on Dec. 31.

The club will be closed on Christmas Eve.

Trapp Door: 615 W 100 S

The Trapp Door will be one of the hardest partying clubs this holiday season. On Dec. 20 DJ/DC and JSJ will break out the pop music and requests on the club’s main floor and indie and electroclash in the back lounge for “Dancing in a Winter Wonderland.”

Legendary drag queens Systeen and Raven will give special holiday performances.

Goodtimes Karaoke will hold its final monthly karaoke championship on Monday, Dec. 22 with cash prizes and the Trapp Door will be open on Christmas Eve for its “Xmas Eve Speakeasy.”

On Christmas Day, the club will also be open for its “Dance Evolution Christmas Explosion,” which the club calls “Salt Lake’s craziest dance party.” For re-gifters in the city, the evening will include a white elephant gift exchange.

For die-hard partiers who aren’t tired after all of that, there is also “Last Call ’08” on Dec. 31. The final party of 2008 will feature all of the Trapp Door’s resident DJs spinning tunes into next year. Doors open early at 8:00 p.m. and the $10 cover charge kicks in at 9:00 p.m. (VIP passes for the evening are $25). Lovely ladies Systeen, Raven, Coco and Shenka will perform and the new year will start off with a literal bang at midnight, when the club’s cash cannon explodes with $500 in cash. Revelers are encouraged to come early to this party, as the floors will fill up fast.

W Lounge: 358 S West Temple Hip indie music club W Lounge will hold its Christmas bash on Dec. 27 to celebrate regular DJ K Pharaoh’s birthday. The night will feature 10 years of house music hits from the U.S. and the U.K. spun by K Pharaoh, DJ Purple and Dan Dixon. The club will be open from 9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. and there is no cover charge before 11:00 p.m.

On New Year’s Eve the club will hold the dance party “The Get Down meets Indie Disco” featuring Roksteady, Flash & Fire and indie DJs Jace & Zack. There is no cover charge before 11:00 p.m. and a $5 charge after. There will be a champagne toast at midnight and partiers are invited to dress up ... or not. Q

32 | December 18, 2008

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Dece mber 18 , 20 08 | issue 118 | QSa lt L a k e | 33

Homos & Mormons Kick It OUT

By Brad Di Iorio

For Kickball Jesus, it is all about love. Performance artist, KJ, says it all started in Tempe, Ariz., when he decided to save hipsters from their misguided, banal lives.

“A girl broke my heart — she was a hipster — so I sublimated my loss into prostelyzing and baptizing them into non-hipsters,” KJ said. “It was an alternative to the bar scene and it caught on.”

Donning his holy garments, a sheet, headband, blue and white scarf, and a pair of Saucony shoes, which hasn’t changed from its original creation, except maybe a headband replacement because the sweat and stretching created a droopy halo, KJ now makes his home in Salt Lake City. Jesus says that at one point, a female disciple sewed a rip in the shroud and signed it in tears

after a particularly rough encounter.

“Kickball is a good medium because you never know what you’re going to get when you bring two sides together,” said KJ. A product of ‘arts in the streets,’ a take on ‘Them vs. Us’ themed situational art, KJ went to Providence, R.I., to put a kickball game together for local artists. It was PIPS against DPZ, an urban planning architectural firm recognized for redesigning existing communities, that was causing artists to be kicked out of lofts on the city’s now trendy waterfront area. From there, he visited Marfa, Texas, arranging a kickball game between local artists and “outside forces,” who were taking over the Chinati Arts Festival.

He has gone to Manchester, England — in which he intends to return — “pitting the various international factions

Straight Boys Kissing

Straight boys at the Tavernacle get into our new feature.

3 4 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 118 | Dece mber 18 , 20 08

Brad Di Iorio

Q Sports

of ‘Psychogeographers’ against one another in a tournament of American kickball.”

“I wanted the locals to think about how it was affecting the town,” KJ said in reference to Marfa’s annual art fest, where the festival had blossomed to the point where rock band, Sonic Youth, performed and art conglomerates arrived with huge tents, dwarfing the local and regional artists. “Is this what the town wants,” Jesus yelled to the locals, hoping to inspire the rejection of consumerism and endless gawking.

This past Saturday, Kickball Jesus organized the first Homo vs. Mormon game, held at Herman Park in Salt Lake City, during the first major snowfall of the season.

“If I am doing anything artistic, it’s important to me to address the dominant culture, as more people move here, it’s going to become a question of the status quo,” KJ said. “Salt Lake City has its own identity and in Utah, the Mormon culture has inserted its reign as the predominant cultural standard, yet the gay and lesbian folks are questioning the motives of an egalitarian society.”

Though no ‘official’ followers of the faith showed, KJ said he had responses from Mormons, that were intending to attend and play, on his blog, PIMPSworks.blogspot.com.

But because of the snowy weather and slick roads, several ex-Mormons represented Team Mormon. Sara M., a former Mormon who sent a letter asking to be taken off the records, was team captain for the Mormon team.

“My philosophy is just don’t take anything too seriously,” Sara said, who now identifies as Buddhist. “People who are gay tend to believe that Mormons have some agenda against them, but it’s just their beliefs.”

Choosing teams, each captain choosing last-kid-picked style from the various folks representing the homo perspective, Kickball Jesus’s team battled Sara M’s team in the snow flurries and freezing temperatures, stopping at halftime for hot Jasmine tea and lively dialogue about political beliefs, morality and culture.

KJ’s team included Zed, representing U-bomb, a critical mass group of U of U cyclists that usually arrive on kiddie bikes at kamikaze, hillside races, present freestyle expositions, and arrange monthly, midnight rides around the city.

Out lesbian family, Erika Skougard, Jenna Helf and youngest daughter, Erinn Summers, who is attending Highland High School, were separated on opposing teams, but had fun encouraging each other to catch the ball, run bases or clobber the other team with the ball to get them out. Helf recently was assigned to write the Domestic Partner Bill with Will Carlson and others lawyers from the Utah chapter of OUTlaws — a national organization which provides professional, social

and academic support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender law students — to be presented by Equality Utah to the state legislators. Skougard and Helf held a ceremony in Salt Lake City and were planning to travel to California to get a marriage license until the Mormon-member call-toaction helped pass Prop. 8 and cause a firestorm of rallies, rants and attitude by both sides of the controversial cultural debate.

The kickball game was intended to be a healthy, fun meeting of both sides, to help foster understanding and funnel the aggression into dialogue and camaraderie. Those who attended had fun for a couple of hours and enjoyed the foot of new snow on the field, rolling around as they slid into first base, or kicking the heck out of the orange rubber ball.

Look for more kickball games to be arranged by Kickball Jesus in coming months or hipster baptisms taking place on the patio of Two Creeks Coffee House in Salt Lake City. “I’m not technically a gay activist, but my [current] girlfriend’s best friend is a lesbian and my best friend from Boston is gay. He was a flamenco dancer.” KJ said.

Final: Homos, 9, Mormons, 7

Ski Out Utah Brings an Avalanche to Jam Utah’s winter sports league, Ski Out Utah, will host a meet-and-greet for all members and interested winter fanatics who want to learn more about the club and upcoming activites at Jam at the Marmalade, Friday, Dec. 19 starting at 8:00 p.m.

In its second year, Ski Out Utah brings together gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual people and their straight friends who want to enjoy all that Utah offers for skiing, snowshoeing and cross country skiing; as well as socializing in local restaurants, bars and ski lodges.

The party at Jam will bring together last year’s participants who will invite new participants and present schedules for all events during the next five months. New skiiers, snowboarders and cross country skiiers are welcome.

Discount ticket passes will be posted for each event on Ski Out’s Web site, along with detailed event locations, event leader information, and lunch and after-party meeting locations. They will also have information on equipment rentals, nordic centers, gay and lesbian ski events around the world, and snowshoe trails and maps on the site.

The Jam social begins with a brief welcoming given by Dana Clark and an announcement of the first ski and snowboard event to be held Sunday, Jan. 4, in Park City.

For more information and all planned events, visit www.skiouttuah.com.

3 6 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 118 | Dece mber 18 , 20 08

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

Dece mber 18 , 20 08 | issue 118 | QSa lt L a k e | 3 7

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

Q Puzzle

Psych!

About newly out actor/ comedian Wanda Sykes

Across 1 Pansy supporter 5 Prevents from scoring, with “out” 10 Steven Greenberg, for one 15 Byron poem 16 “God loves everybody,” to Mychal Judge 17 Beat Generation poet Ginsberg 18 Actor Mapa 19 Lucci’s Kane in All My Children 20 Blonde Ambition, and others 21 RN’s offering 22 The New Adventures of ___ (Sykes TV program) 24 Scrabble piece that often goes with the Q 26 Like a straight line, for short 27 Pose for Diana Davies 28 Leisha’s character on The L Word 29 Early man’s opening 30 Has a seven-year problem with Marilyn Monroe?

33 International ___ 34 Big load 35 Give the slip to 36 Sykes won an Emmy writing for this program 42 Gomer’s “anti”

43 Access ending 44 Benefit 45 Tries to seduce 48 Sophie B. Hawkins’ “___ Lay Me Down” 49 Paul Lynde, on Bewitched 50 Cat ___ Hot Tin Roof 51 In the pink 53 Port in the land of samurai 54 Sykes sitcom 58 British TV doctor 60 Response to an online personal 61 Type of probe 62 Unresponsive to a come-on 63 O’Connor of Xena 64 Bill T. Jones’ partner Zane 65 Humorist Bombeck 66 Log Cabin list, e.g.

67 Open positions?

68 Rubber-stamp Down 1 Strip under the futon 2 Lifeboat actress Bankhead 3 Type of dysfunction 4 Britten’s raincoat 5 Ancient erection 6 Crowd at the gay rodeo?

7 They’re horny and hung like horses 8 Music style at some circuit parties 9 Rubberneck 10 “Nuts!”

11 What little things mean, in a Cher song 12 Like a Stonewall Democrats state

13 Collaborator with Elton 14 Blow-ups for 52Down 22 Cheer for Lorca 23 Queer behavior 25 Where to find polar bears 28 6 in., e.g.

29 Susan B. Anthony dollar, e.g.

31 Fab Five syllable for many a straight guy 32 Name in aviation 34 Claire of the Moon actor Todd 35 Petty of A League of Their Own 37 Elev.

38 Sitcom with Sara Gilbert 39 Circumsion, e.g.?

40 “I Cain’t Say No” musical 41 Pee-___ Herman 45 Eiffel’s erection, and others 46 Hard stuff in your mouth 47 Tomorrow, to Frida 48 Shelfmate of Elle and Cosmo 49 Milk, so to speak 52 Charles, who could make you a man 53 Shrek and others 55 Advice from Richard Simmons 56 Protected, to seamen 57 Police incursion at Stonewall 59 Word on a drag queen’s bottle 62 David Geffen’s former position at DreamWorks Answers on p. 40

3 8 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 118 | Dece mber 18 , 20 08

Cryptogram

ALL “FAMILY” WELCOME

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: V = U Theme:

Voted #1 Lesbian Club for 3 Years! Thanks!

Part of a quote by out U.S. Rep. Barney Frank.

3737 South State Street

CQMROZ VD RD ROBQXASHRKCJ GRHP MQHROZ IQE HPQDJ GPQ PSHJ VD.

______ __ __ ____________ ____ ______ ___ _____ ___ ____ __.

Anagram 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:

He is the current president of the LDS Church.

HOMMOS TAN SON ______ ______ PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ARE ON PAGE 40

’s

omen W re emie Years r P s ake’ Over 14 L t l Sa lub for C

WEEKLY LINEUP ❀SASSY SUNDAYS❀ Free Pool, $1 Drafts

❀MONDAYS❀

Closed for Employee Sanity

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

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

❀THIRSTY THURSDAYS❀ QSaltLake is a proud member of

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

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

Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! Open at 6pm Christmas Day $1 drafts.

Huge Christmas Night Potluck

Contact Cindy or Brandy at the bar if you want to bring something to share

Party all night

❀FREAKIN’ FRIDAYS❀

New Year’s Eve

❀SEXY SATURDAYS❀

Doors open at 6PM Prizes and raffles all night

Top 40 Dance Music All Night with Sexy Female DJs Women, Women, Women & hot DJs making You Sweat

at the Moon!

BOOK ALL YOUR TRAVEL www.papermoonvacations.com

Dece mber 18 , 20 08 | issue 118 | QSa lt L a k e | 39

Q Classifieds

HOMES FOR SALE

Help Wanted

Capitol hill/Marmalade

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Real Estate QSaltLake Seeking Fun Office Neighbors

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Dennis, 359-6686 Puzzle Solutions Cryptogram: Loving us is incompatible with voting for those who hate us.

Anagram: Thomas Monson

Crossword

QDoku 1 4 9 3 6 8 5 2 7

6 5 8 7 2 4 1 3 9

9 7 3 8 2 4 5 1 6

4 6 2 1 3 5 9 7 8

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

2 6 1 4 3 9 7 5 8

9 3 4 8 7 5 6 1 2

7 1 9 5 6 3 2 8 4

6 5 8 4 1 2 7 3 9

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

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

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

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

9 6 8 2 4 7 3 5 1

1 3 4 9 5 6 2 7 8

7 2 5 1 3 8 9 6 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4 0 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 118 | Dece mber 18 , 20 08

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

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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.

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FOR SALE

1988 honda Accord. Two-door hatchback. Would be adequate for first-time buyer or someone who renovates older cars. Has had money recently put into it, but still needs minimal repairs. Good gas mileage. $800/obo. Call Steven at 801-604-2852.

1996 Isuzu Trooper 4x4 Limited Edition. 3.2 liter engine, automatic drive. Includes sunroof, power windows and seats, side-mirror defrost, 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 801-759-9305.

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QHealth ’Tis the Season for Flu Vaccinations

by Lynn Beltran

C

Christmas Season or the holiday season, it is indeed the season when the dreaded influenza virus plagues our schools, workplaces and communities. And it is certainly not too late to get your flu shot. In fact, now may even be the perfect time as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting that elevated flu activity has not yet been identified for the 2008-2009 influenza season.

Although the flu season technically begins in October and runs through April, it tends to hit the hardest in January.

You may have wondered why health departments across the state spend so much time, money and energy talking about the flu, encouraging people to get their flu shots and even instilling fear about this dreaded disease.

We do all of this because influenza continues to be the most widespread infectious disease in the United States year after year. Public Health officials estimate anywhere between 5–20 percent of U.S. residents get the flu annually. Although many people who get it will suffer through five to seven days of severe body aches and high temperatures before recovering, a significant proportion of people end up hospitalized with the flu. Some even die from it. Current estimates indicate that about 200,000 people are hospitalized each year, resulting in significant financial costs, and about 36,000 people die as a result of influenza. Those who are most at risk for suffering these more serious flu-related complications are the very young, the very old or those who are already immune-compromised, such as people with HIV or AIDS. But still, how does this affect you, especially if you don’t fall into any of these groups and your health is good overall? Well, even if you are willing to take your chances and endure a bout of the flu should you become infected, when you’re infected you become a “Typhoid Mary,” for the flu, able to spread this disease to anyall it the

one you meet, often before you even exhibit any symptoms. And the flu is easy to spread, especially through casual contact. So, if you have anyone in your life who is very young, elderly or already immune-compromised, you can unknowingly expose them to the virus. And while you may get over it quickly, it could have serious, even fatal consequences for them.

Every year, local and state health departments throughout the country engage in influenza surveillance activities that include collecting specimens in diagnosed patients so that we may track the antigenic characteristics of the type of flu virus that is currently circulating. In other words, we try to see what kind of antibodies their bodies create to fight off the flu. This allows us to best determine what should go in the coming year’s vaccine in order to offer the best protection. The vaccine that was created for this year appears to provide adequate protection for the type of flu that is currently circulating.

Now, if you do get the flu vaccine, it is possible that you may still get the flu if you’re exposed to it. But if you’re vaccinated, it should be a much shorter and less severe illness.

If you are immune-compromised, you should always get the flu shot rather than the nasal spray.

I don’t intend to threaten or strong arm you into getting the flu shot, but to gently inform you of the reasons why we recommend getting one so that you can make an informed decision. I do believe that if we can all do our part to lessen the burden of influenza on our communities, then we can use our already limited resources for other important issues. Surely in this economy, we can all benefit from reducing our risk of incurring medical bills due to influenza.

And with that being said, I will now run downstairs and get mine.

Have a happy and flu-free holiday! Q You can get your flu vaccine through your private medical provider or you may call the Salt Lake Valley Health Dept. at 534-4568.

Dece mber 18 , 20 08 | issue 118 | QSa lt L a k e | 4 1

Support the Businesses that Support You

Q Tales

These businesses brought you this issue of QSaltLake.

Make sure to thank them with your patronage.

Jacin Tales Episode 10

Last Dance Part 1

cess — it was so damn professional — making sure they were neither Josh and Matthew drunk nor high. She quizzed them had broken up shortly with intensity, feeling them out — after last summer’s Pride weekend, and Matthew had Eddie thought to himself, there’s nothing worse than permanently sped off to Bremerton, Washington altering a tourist’s body, especially without so much as proper notifione from Utah, and then having cation, he and Josh had stayed in contact. Josh understood Matthew’s him forever regret it. Once she reasons for moving away and, in his was satisfied that each of them was completely committed and that each heart, he could not stay angry. And though he desperately needed to talk had chosen a personal and creative canvas — not a gecko or a heart with to his friends about it, he promised ‘MOM’ written across it – she went Matthew to keep it between them. to work.

Josh, Jacin, Eddie and Owen had Just over three hours later Jacin flown into Seattle the Monday before stepped out of the shop with a pair New Year’s Eve 1999, the eve of the of dancing flamingoes in top hats on new millennium — at least in the eyes of technology. That day the sun his lower back, followed by Jacin stamped with a quill and inkwell was uncharacteristically shining bright and had returned throughout on his right shoulder. Behind them much of the week, which was also an Owen limped from pouty red lips needled into his right butt cheek. anomaly. However, a coat and hat They headed back to Pine Street were still necessary to deflect the icy to meet Josh and Matthew at the chill in the air.

Manray, an intimate oval-shaped The group of friends enjoyed the bar that, on the inside, looked like radiant sun by touring the Bremera submarine, with porthole video ton Naval yard, visiting Mt. Rainier National Park and, on the day before screens and a periscope bar centered New Year’s Eve, taking a ferry across in the room. Josh and Matthew were Puget Sound to Seattle. They strolled sitting at a small white table in the back getting smashed on martinis through Pike Place Market where muscular fishmongers in bulky chest served in bathtub-sized glasses.

The next morning, New Year’s waders tossed large fish to each Eve day (and Eddie’s thirtieth other. And after perusing the quaint birthday), was once again ablaze shops and the handmade crafts of with sunshine. Owen was the first local artists they moved on to the to rise, as was typical, since he Capitol Hill area. Rainbow flags on found Matthew’s sofa bed extremely storefronts waved to them as they uncomfortable. He went into the window-shopped through Pike and kitchen, the hardwood floors of the Pine Streets to Broadway Avenue. weathered old rental house creaking On a whim as they passed a tattoo under his feet. He whipped up some parlor/gift shop, Owen suggested breakfast: scrambled eggs with pepthey each get a tattoo. After some pers and onions, bacon and what he prodding, Jacin agreed and offered to pay for Eddie’s as a birthday pres- calls flapjacks.

By mid afternoon the blue sky ent. Josh and Matthew adamantly had turned grey and lumpy. Sitting refused, but the other three stepped around the laminate kitchen table — inside the small shop called Pink an array of fowl feathers and beads Zone. The heavily tattooed artist greeted the trio with caution. She and glitter scattered across it — the took them through a screening proquintet worked silently in concen42 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 118 | Dece mber 18 , 20 08

By A.E. Storm

T

hough

tration, less the occasional “Anyone need another beer while I’m up?”

They had decided earlier in the week to make Mardi Gras masks to wear for the evening’s festivities.

By seven o’clock they had had manicotti (Eddie’s favorite) for dinner and each were dressed warmly in gray and black. Owen and Matthew opted to wear black patent leather pants while Jacin, Josh and Eddie went more formal with dress slacks. Under their masks, just like in the movies, they were unrecognizable. They had a laugh about it.

Initially, they had hoped to attend the New Year’s Eve party at the Space Needle, but an unconfirmed terrorist threat forced the city to cancel it. So of course plan B was barhopping; hitting R Place first — an upscale, three-floor bar catering to thirtysomething professionals. Then they’d wander over to Neighbours, a gay disco, and dance there until midnight, then finish off the night at The Cuff, a a cement wall grunge bar frequented by leather daddies.

Only a couple dozen other partygoers were mingling about, the group noticed, when they entered R Place and ordered drinks from the unharried bartender. Their masks prompted a few smirks by the preppy crowd. Realizing this was not really the scene they were after, they shoved off.

Neighbours was busy when they entered it a little after nine o’clock.

A flock of shirtless young guys swept across the large dance floor to Donna Summers’ “Last Dance,” which Jacin commented seemed a bit premature. Owen scanned the floor and immediately picked out his prey, a short shirtless black boy with a sinewy body so tight Owen could make out his obliques trailing off under the waistband of his pants.

Without a word Owen disappeared into the fog.

To be continued …

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