QSaltLake Magazine - 143 - Dec. 10, 2009

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World AIDS Day (6*%& 4FOBUF .BLFT 4VOEBODF Equality Utah Post Salt Lake Ordinances Events Across the Valley

Staff Box publisher/editor

Michael Aaron assistant editor

In This Issue

JoSelle Vanderhooft arts & entertainment editor

Tony Hobday

ISSUE 143 • December 10, 2009

graphic designer

A&E Gay & Gray. . . . . . . . . . . 22 Dining Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 News

National . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Local. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Views

From the Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Creep of Week. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Snaps & Slaps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Ruby Ridge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Who’s Your Daddy? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Lambda Lore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 The Straight Line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Gay Geeks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Gay Agenda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 The Dating Diet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Crossword, Cryptogram. . . . . . . . . . 42 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Qdoku. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Anagram. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 QScene. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Petunia Pap-Smear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Puzzle Answers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 The Back Page. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Christian Allred contributors

Chris Azzopardi Miles Broadhead Brad Di Iorio Chef Drew Ellswroth Bob Henline Christopher Katis Petunia Pap-Smear Steven Petrow Ryan Shattuck JoSelle Vanderhooft Troy Williams Rex Wockner

Lynn Beltran Dave Brousseau Mike E. Ellis Greg Fox Tony Hobday Keith Orr Anthony Paull Ruby Ridge A.E. Storm Ben Williams D’Anne Witkowski

contributing photographers

Need Help Buyingor Selling?

David Daniels Laurie Kaufman

Brian Gordon David Newkirk

sales manager

Brad Di Iorio office manager

Tony Hobday distribution

Brad Di Iorio Ryan Benson Gary Horenkamp Nancy Burkhart publisher

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Copyright © 2009, Salt Lick Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted or reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Copies of QSaltLake are distributed free of charge in 200 locations across Utah and in Idaho and Nevada. Free copies are limited to one per person. For additional copies, contact us at 801-649-6663. It is a crime to destroy or dispose of current issues or otherwise interfere with the distribution of this newsmagazine. Publication of the name or photograph of any individual or organization in articles or advertising in QSaltLake is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons.

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Views

From the Editor Make the Yuletide Gay

by Michael Aaron

H

ere we go a caroling…

Well, most of us don’t truly carol anymore. The season is more about whipping out the MasterCard than the hymns and mittens.

We’re more likely to spew a string of swear words at fellow drivers in parking lots than parumpumpumpums at doorsteps.

As we throw our hard-earned dollars hither and yon, it may be a good time to think about to whom we are casting our rewards. Are they worthy? Is that money going to one day come back and slap us right back down?

If Proposition 8 taught us anything, it’s that our neighbors may use what we pay them to fund efforts to thwart our advancement of civil rights. Maybe we need to be more cautious as to where our dollars land.

But how do we know whether the owner of the local music store or restaurant is more likely to support Equality Utah than the Sutherland Institute?

According to research by WiteckCombs Communications and MarketResearch.com, the U.S. gay and lesbian community is estimated to wield $712 billion in buying power. Using that number, I estimate that Utah’s gay community, being that the state’s population is about .8 percent of the nation’s, has about $6.4 billion in buying

power.

That’s a lot of money. Money is power in this political system — right or wrong.

Nationally the Human Rights Campaign has released its 2010 “Buying for Equality” guide, which ranks national brands and companies by a variety of factors, such as whether they offer employees anti-discrimination protections, domestic partner benefits, diversity training, transgender-inclusive benefits and other external practices.

They give each company a Consumer Equality Index of between 0 and 100, which you can compare against the CEI of other companies.

So, while in the grocery store, you can choose between the CEI of General Mills (100) vs. Kellogg’s (65). You can choose Visa, MasterCard and American Express (100) vs. Discover (58); Orbitz (100) vs. Expedia (65); Dell (100) vs.

Acer/Gateway (50); Best Buy (100) vs.

Radio Shack (40); Staples (93) and OfficeMax (90) vs. Office Depot (45); Mattel (95) vs. Hasbro (50); Craftsman (100) vs. Black & Decker (50).

Locally, however, it’s a bit more tough. How do we compare AAA Cheaper Rooter (?) vs. Ace Rooter Service (?).

One could be Buttars’ largest donor and the other Christine Johnson’s.

Well, of course I’m going to say to

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check out our advertisers on these pages, because they have sought out and pay money for our attention. You’re reading this free of charge, whether on paper or online, because they have done so.

I’m also going to suggest using ­T heQPages. Yes, don’t forget about our community’s own yellow pages.

This is a group of businesses and professionals who have signed a contract with us guaranteeing that you will be treated right by each and every one of their employees. They are seeking your business. Is it still possible your dollars will go to funding America Forever?

Yes, still possible, but much, much less likely.

Two other groups are beginning to take shape here in the valley as well — both supported by QSaltLake.

At its inaugural meet and greet, the Utah LGBT Professional Network had a great turnout at A Gallery, sipping wine by sponsor Parallel Wines. You can find them on Facebook.

In a few months, we should also see the Utah LGBT Chamber of Commerce begin meeting. Hopefully soon we will start to see businesses displaying a window sign showing they are members of the network.

Another tool we can use is pulling out the program that we saved from the last Equality Utah dinner and the annual reports of the Utah AIDS Foundation and Utah Pride Center. There are many professionals and businesses listed as their donors, so you’ll know some of your money is returned to the community.

Shopping smart and carefully not only makes our supporters’ yuletide gay, but helps ensure a pleasant future for ourselves as well. Q You can download the full HRC Buying for Equality 2010 at hrc.org/buyersguide2010/

More Equality Index Comparisons: Target (100), Sears (100), Kmart (100) vs. Walmart (40) Walgreens (100), Osco (100), Rite Aid (100) vs. Big Lots (No Response) Home Depot (85) vs. Lowes (No Response) TJ Maxx (100) vs. Ross (No Response) Chili’s (100), TGI Friday’s (100), Olive Garden (85) vs.

Cracker Barrel (15) or Fleming’s (No Response) Chevron (100), Arco (100), Shell (100), Phillips 66 (70) vs.

Exxon (0) Jiffy Lube (100) vs. Auto Zone (25) or Pep Boys (No Response) Bridgestone/Firestone (80) vs.

Cooper Tire (33) Sprint (100), Verizon (70) vs.

T-Mobile (50) UPS (100) vs. FedEx (70) General Mills (100) vs. Kellogg’s (65).

Visa, MasterCard and American Express (100) vs. Discover (58) Orbitz (100) vs. Expedia (65) Dell (100) vs. Acer/Gateway (50) Best Buy (100) vs. Radio Shack (40) Staples (93) and OfficeMax (90) vs.

Office Depot (45) Mattel (95) vs. Hasbro (50) Craftsman (100) vs. Black & Decker (50).

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Patricia Richards, Narrator December 18

Sterling Poulson, Narrator December 19

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News — World Briefs

New York Senate Rejects Same-sex Marriage

by Rex Wockner

The New York State Senate rejected a bill to legalize same-sex marriage Dec. 2 in a 38-24 vote.

The bill had passed the Assembly repeatedly and Gov. David Paterson was chomping at the bit to sign it into law.

Eight Democrats voted against the bill. No Republicans voted for it.

“Promises made were not honored,” said the bill’s author, Sen. Tom Duane, D-Manhattan. “The LGBT community and all fair-minded New Yorkers have been betrayed. I am enraged, deeply disappointed and profoundly saddened by the vote today.”

Alan Van Capelle, head of the LGBT lobby group Empire State Pride Agenda, said that while the group was “disappointed by today’s vote, we are pleased that the issue of marriage equality at last was debated in the New York State Senate.”

“We had long called for a public debate on this matter so we could determine who was truly on our side,” he said. “Now we know where we stand and where we need to concentrate our efforts in the future.”

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg echoed Van Capelle’s take.

“Although I’m deeply disappointed with today’s result, and know that the sense of anguish and frustration is even more pronounced among gay and lesbian New Yorkers, at least we now know where individual legislators stand,” Bloomberg said. “And so now we begin a new effort to secure the additional votes needed to pass this bill. ... Historic change does not come easily, but this vote was a crucial step that I believe will ultimately lead the state to extend full marriage rights to all couples.”

Gov. Paterson said the outcome would have been different had senators voted their consciences.

“I understand the anger, I understand the frustration, I understand the feeling of betrayal and I understand the profound disappointment of those who came to Albany today thinking they could get married tomorrow,” he said.

“I believe in my heart that if people had voted their consciences today, we would be celebrating marriage equality tonight. That did not happen. As disappointed as we are today, let’s get up tomorrow and redouble our efforts. We are going to lay the foundation to make people feel comfortable to vote their conscience and not fear political backlash.

Now we know who we have to talk to.

We are going to quash the intimidation; we are going to alleviate the pressure; we are going to move this issue back to the floor of the Senate and we are going to have marriage equality in New York

state and equal rights for everybody.”

National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director Kate Kendell called the vote “a heartbreaker.”

“To see justice denied yet again is crushing,” she said. “But we cannot be down for long. The lessons of every human rights movement teach us that setbacks and dark days are always the risk in fighting for equality and justice. We applaud the courage of Sen. Tom Duane, sponsor of the bill, and of the 24 senators who stood for equality, fairness and love.

Their names will be remembered and so will their votes. The time is long past for those who reject our basic dignity and value to do so without consequence. The votes of those who affirmed our equality and humanity will be vindicated, of that we can be certain.”

The National Organization for Marriage gloated.

“Praise God!” wrote Executive Director Brian S. Brown. “NOM spent $600,000 reaching out to voters through phone calls and television and radio ads to make sure politicians heard from ordinary voters like you. Gay marriage inevitable? Don’t believe the lie!”

“This great victory will reverberate up and down America, putting the fear of God -- and the American voter -- into

News Briefs

Ten Arrested at World AIDS Day protest in NYC New York City — Ten HIV/AIDS activists were arrested Tuesday morning at a protest during a World AIDS Day reception hosted by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Police spokeswoman Gina Sarubbi said the protesters were arrested when trying to chain themselves to a gate. The group was protesting the Bloomberg administration’s fund cutting for services for people living with HIV and AIDS, including housing.

Housing Works, a homelessness and AIDS services group, organized the protest. The group’s chief executive, Charles King, was among those arrested.

“We will not come here every December 1 and pretend that the mayor cares about the well-being of New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS until he proves it with his budget and his policies,” King said before being arrested.

U.K. Lesbian Partner Wins Landmark Wrongful Death Suit London — After losing her partner to ovarian cancer following a hospital error, a Dorset, England, lesbian won a landmark case for compensation.

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the hearts of weak-kneed and weakwilled politicians everywhere,” Brown said.

A few hours after the vote, 200 to 300 people gathered in Times Square to protest, following a call issued on blogs and social-networking sites.

The next evening, more than 1,000 people attended a protest rally in Union Square, including Paterson and Duane.

“Threats of retribution rained down on the ‘Hate 38,’ the senators that voted against equality,” reported news blogger Joe Jervis at his Joe. My. God. site.

“Particular scorn was heaped upon the eight traitorous Democrats, whose faces adorned many placards and who were named and shamed from the microphone.”

“The crowd was instructed about the coming 2010 elections and the NYC seats now in everyone’s crosshairs,” Jervis wrote. “The evening was definitely not another useless venting of rage, as these things are often characterized.”

Same-sex marriage is legal in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Vermont and, starting in January, New Hampshire. It also is expected to become legal in Washington, D.C., in January.

Same-sex marriage also was legalized in California and Maine, but voters later re-banned it.

Internationally, same-sex couples can marry in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Spain and Sweden.

Liz Austin was awarded undisclosed but “substantial” damages against the Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust for negligence in their care of her civil partner, Tina Lane.

Lane first complained of abdominal pain in 2005, but the cancer was not spotted until nine months later because a scan showing the tumor was mistakenly filed away by a temporary clerical assistant, rather than being given to Lane’s consultant. It is believed she would have had a good chance of recovery had the illness been diagnosed sooner.

She died of ovarian cancer Feb. 7, 2009, at the age of 42.

The case is believed to mark the first time a civil partner in England has been awarded compensation for medical negligence since the passage of a law that provides civil partners similar rights as married couples.

Oklahoma Gays Protest Palin Norman, Okla. — About a dozen gays and lesbians protested a book signing by Sarah Palin, according to NewsOK.com.

Crossing the country touting her book, Going Rogue, Palin has been met with many more fans than protesters, but in Oklahoma was greeted with signs saying, “Sarah Palin Ruined Christmas,” “Palin Hates Equality,” “Gay Pride: Go Home Palin,” and “Ignorance is Bliss.”

Quips & Quotes ❝❝

Together, they’re probably one of the best things that every happened to the Utah Senate.”

—Salt Lake Tribune columnist Peg McEntee, on the impact former State Sen. Scott McCoy and his partner Mark Barr have had on the state’s legislature.

❝❝

[I]f McCoy were a superhero, his special power would be the ability to maintain an equitable tone in the face of craziness.

Yet his courage to stand up for Democratic principles has made him a formidable presence. His replacement will have some big shoes to fill.”

—Brandon Burt of City Weekly’s “Brandon’s Big Gay Blog.”

❝❝

I want to say that the state of Utah is losing one of the most intelligent, articulate and knowledgeable parliamentarian legislators with Senator Scott McCoy’s resignation.”

—Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake City, posting on the Utah Senate Democrats Web site.

❝❝

Scott, thanks for being an incredible state senator.

You couldn’t have a happier constituent than a certain composer living in the Avenues.”

—Composer Kurt Bestor, in one of many comments left by McCoy fans on his Facebook account following his announcement.

❝❝

My concern is for the young gay entrepreneur or great mind who lives in a place where they fear animosity from potential clients or partners. The people that are losing out are not only gay entrepreneurs but also the communities where that entrepreneur could blossom.

People are so blinded by their own distrust and hate and ignorance that they’re passing up great opportunities for growth and development for their communities. It’s silly.”

—Utah philanthropist and WordPerfect co-founder Bruce Bastian, discussing the challenges facing openly gay entrepreneurs in BusinessWeek.

News Briefs D.C. Council Votes in Favor of Gay Marriage Washington — The Council of the District of Columbia voted 11-2 in favor of same-sex marriage Tuesday morning in the first of two votes to be taken on the issue in the nation’s capital.

Sponsored by openly-gay councilman David Catania, the bill was widely thought to easily pass through the city council, as 10 of the 13 members co-introduced it. Council members Marion Barry and Yvette Alexander voted no.

The final vote is expected later this month, and Mayor Adrian Fenty has said he will sign the bill.

Congress has 30 days after any new district law is passed to overturn the measure. Utah Republican Rep. Jason Chaffetz has been a lone vocal dissenter as ranking Republican on the House subcommittee overseeing District of Columbia issues. Chaffetz charges Senate Democrats are “afraid” to put the issue to a vote. Only three pieces of legislation have been blocked by Congress in the last 25 years.

Same-sex marriages would begin in the city as soon as the period of Congressional review ends.

The bill specifically says religious leaders and institutions are not required to perform the marriages. They also are not required to allow the marriages in their buildings unless they normally let the public use or rent them.

Earlier this year, the council set the wheels in motion when it passed a bill recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states. Opponents fought and failed to have that bill put to a vote by the people in 2010.

The Archdiocese of Washington has threatened to withdraw millions in funding for D.C. social services to the poor and homeless if gay marriage is legalized in D.C. Other religious leaders have threatened a citizen initiative to repeal the bill once passed.

Uganda Bill Seeks Death Sentence for Gay Sex Kampala, Republic of Uganda — A bill introduced in Uganda, where homosexual acts are already illegal, would sentence anyone to death who had gay sex while being HIV positive or with a partner who had a disability or was under the age of 18.

The bill also requires citizens to report any homosexual activity they witness to police within 24 hours or face a prison sentence of up to three years.

The Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009, is

heavily supported by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

The Guardian U.K. reported that the push for harsher punishments has come mostly from American evangelists Scott Lively of Defend the Family International, Don Schmierer of Exodus and Caleb Lee Brundidge of the International Healing Foundation. They have pushed stories onto Ugandan officials of European gays “recruiting” men and women from Uganda; and that homosexuality can be cured.

Levi Johnston Comfortable with Gay Icon Label New York City — Levi Johnston, Sarah Palin’s son-in-law and father of her grandchild, said he is comfortable being a gay icon. On a media tour to tout his Playgirl spread, Joy Behar of The Joy Behar Show pointed out that it’s interesting that Johnston seems so comfortable being a gay icon because he’s from Alaska and was brought up in a conservative household.

“I haven’t ever seen a gay guy in Wasilla, I don’t think,” Johnston told Behar. “But once I started doing all of these tours and everything, you know ... they’re people too. It doesn’t matter to me.”

They also discussed a $100,000 offer by porn producer Corbin Fisher, which

Johnston has so far declined.

“I just didn’t want to regret something when I was older,” he said.

Transgender Sues McDonalds

Orlando, Fla. — Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund has filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations against an Orlando McDonald’s restaurant for refusing to hire 17-year-old Zikerria Bellamy because she is transgender.

Zikerria applied online for a position at McDonald’s on July 9. On July 28, after managers at McDonald’s learned that Zikerria is transgender, she received a voicemail message from one of the managers saying, “It doesn’t matter how many times you go down there ...

You will not get hired ... We do not hire faggots. You lied to me.”

In Florida, no law explicitly addresses discrimination based on gender identity, but administrative agencies have ruled that transgender people are protected by the Florida Human Rights Act’s prohibitions on sex and disability discrimination.

The Competitive Workforce Bill, which would add gender identity and sexual orientation to the Florida Civil Rights Act, was introduced in the Florida legislature on Nov. 20.

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News

David Daniels

Scott McCoy Resigns

Q mmunity Affirmation Christmas Devotional

by JoSelle Vanderhooft

After nearly five years in office, Utah’s only gay Senator has resigned in order to devote more time to his law practice.

Scott McCoy, D-Salt Lake City, came to the state’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community in 2004 as the leader of the Don’t Amend Alliance, an effort to oppose an amendment to Utah’s constitution that sought to ban same-sex marriage. Just three months after Utah voters overwhelmingly approved the change, known as Amendment 3, Sen. Paula Julander resigned from her District 2 seat, due to ailing health. While her husband, Rod, was thought to be the most viable candidate for her replacement, the district’s Democratic delegates chose McCoy by a narrow margin of votes. Since then, McCoy has not only served as a voice for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community in the Republican-dominated — and frequently anti-gay — Senate, but as an advocate for environmental protection, liquor law reform and, somewhat controversially, for gun control.

While many in the community were shocked by what seemed to be McCoy’s sudden resignation, the former Senator said that his leaving was several months in the making.

“After the [general legislative] session last year, work got fairly busy. As time went on it got increasingly harder to juggle everything,” McCoy explained. “I missed a few interim [committee meetings] and things like that because of what I had going on at work, whether I was traveling out of town or facing deadlines.”

“I’ve been having this internal debate about what am I going to do because I felt guilty — like I wasn’t giving my full attention to my law practice when I was in the Senate, and when I was giving my attention to my law practice I wasn’t giving the necessary attention to the Senate job,” he said.

While McCoy had decided not to run for office again in 2010, he found that he had to make a decision about the rest of his term when he learned that a case on which he is working will go to trial in February — right in the middle of the general legislative session. Not wanting to “shortchange the folks in my district” by being out for much of the session, McCoy said he decided to resign in December to give District 2’s delegates enough time to pick his successor before the session starts on Jan. 25.

“I’m hopeful they can pick my successor before Christmas,” he said.

Picking a Successor

With Christmas fast approaching, the delegates will indeed have to act soon, particularly because they may have a

Sen. Scott McCoy addressing the Salt Lake City Council during the nondiscrimination ordinance hearing. number of strong options from which to choose. Some potential candidates who have been mentioned in the press or in the community since McCoy’s announcement on Dec. 1 include Ben McAdams, senior aid to Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker; Weston Clark, an openly gay man and the chair of the Salt Lake County Democratic Party; Arlyn Bradshaw, an aide to Salt Lake County Councilman Joe Hatch; and Salt Lake City Democratic Representatives Jackie Biskupski, Rebecca Chavez-Houck and David Litvak. Of these potential candidates, only McAdams had announced his candidacy by press time.

Additionally, all three representatives told QSaltLake that they would not seek McCoy’s Senate job. “[A Representative with my seniority] would only go for a four-year term and the title, because you don’t gain anything influence wise by going over there,” said Biskupski, who is openly lesbian and has served as House District 30’s Representative since 1999. She also noted that she has since moved out of Senate District 2 and would therefore be ineligible to run even if she had wished.

After giving the matter a lot of thought, Chavez-Houck also said she would not run.

“I’ve come to the decision that serving the constituents of House District 24 is something I’m more suited to at this time,” she said. “It was a hard decision because I believe strongly in having diverse voices at the Capitol. I think we need to have our legislature [reflect] the demographics of our changing community and ensuring that all voices have a chance to be heard.”

Rep. Christine Johnson noted, however, that achieving this diversity is often difficult because of employment-related challenges like the one that caused McCoy to resign.

“Scott’s decision to have to choose be-

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tween employment and the legislature is something many legislators face,” said Johnson, who is openly lesbian. “I’ve had to struggle with balancing employment and legislative service myself.

[This situation] unfortunately is creating a dynamic where we have only affluent and retired individuals governing our state, and that’s the opposite of what we need. We need young, charismatic voices representing mainstream Utah. This part-time citizen legislature we have is, I think, a disservice to the citizens of the state.”

Biskupski said that she hopes that a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender person will win the delegates’ votes. “[McCoy’s district] is the only Senate seat we know with certainty that a GLBT person can win. There isn’t another seat out there,” she said. “It’s been so helpful to have someone sitting on the floor of the Senate who is from the community working on our behalf. It’s very different from when you have an ally. Until you walk in someone’s shoes you don’t walk in their perspective.”

For his part, McCoy said he has no public opinion about who his successor should be.

“My position is that this is the delegates’ responsibility,” he said. “When I ran, everybody had lined up and was on board with Sen. Julander’s husband, and I think some of the delegates [were thinking], ‘We’re going to make the decision for ourselves rather than have it be coronation.’”

Tag Teaming on the Hill

Of all McCoy’s colleagues on Capitol Hill, Biskupski may be the saddest to see him go because of their working relationship.

“We talked daily I bet in every session, and he got on [the Senate] Rules [Committee] intentionally so we could tag team on the Rules Committees [where

—Continued on page 33

Affirmation, a support group for current and former gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex Latter-day Saints and their families, friends and allies will hold a Christmas devotional Dec. 13.

Speakers will include co-Director of Family Fellowship Marge Bradshaw and Professor David Knowlton of Utah Valley University, among others. Music will be performed by Mark Packer, Tyler Kofoed, Sayeow Quah, and Mary and Peter Danzig (aka Otter Creek Duo). The hourlong devotional will be followed by refreshments, and attendees are asked to bring an appetizer or seasonal dessert. A live Web cast of the event will also be available on Affirmation.org.

When: Dec. 13, 6:30 p.m.

Where: Holladay United Church of Christ, 2631 Murray Holladay Rd. (4800 S.) Info: Duane Jennings and Brian Benington 801-486-6977, AffirmationSLC@aol.com.

Homeless Youth Breakfast Fundraiser Sacred Light of Christ Metropolitan Community Church will hold a fundraiser for the breakfast service it provides daily (except Sundays) to homeless youth. All proceeds will go toward purchasing high quality breakfast foods for the youth, such as eggs, orange juice, bread and milk. Sotto Voce will provide the evening’s entertainment.

Where: Sacred Light of Christ MCC, 823 S. 600 East.

When: Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m.

Info: Ginger Phillips, gingerspice72@msn.com

LGBT Law Clinic Beginning Nov. 12, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the Utah Pride Center, the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law Pro Bono Initiative and OutLaws, the law college’s pro-gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender group, will sponsor a free law clinic for lowincome members of the community who cannot afford legal help. To participate, bring documents related to the issue for which you are seeking help, such as contracts, pay stubs, court documents and e-mail.

When: Starting Nov. 12 and the second Thursday of each month after, 6–8 p.m.

Where: U of U S.J. Quinney College of Law, 322 Ss 1400 East.

Buttars and Johnson to Run Gay Rights Bill?

Shortly after Salt Lake City passed ordinances making housing and employment discrimination against gay and transgender people illegal, Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, said that he might draft a bill that would mimic the ordinance on a statewide level.

On Dec. 1, the senator, who stirred controversy this year and in years past for making anti-gay remarks, made another surprising announcement to ABC Channel 4 News and KSL Channel 5: He was not only considering a pro-gay bill, but considering working with an openly-lesbian representative to pass it.

The woman in question is Rep. Christine Johnson, D-Salt Lake City, who had brought a bill much like Salt Lake City’s ordinances before the legislature in 2007 and 2008 — and watched the bill fail to make it onto the House floor both times. She said she approached Buttars about co-sponsoring her bill or one like it this autumn.

“For two years I have put heart and soul into the employment and housing bill and I consider myself a consensus builder,” said Johnson in an interview with QSaltLake. “I like to work with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle.

Given the statements Buttars made [in the media], it seemed like a nice opportunity to try and work together on what, at least as he stated, appeared to be a common goal.”

When asked how Buttars responded to her suggestion, Johnson replied: “quite tepidly.”

“But that’s better than a hang up,” she continued. “We’re approaching it from very different sides, but I still think that we have to look for opportunities to create dialogue around some of these issues.”

In previous statements, Buttars has been vague about the kind of bill he would support, saying only that he didn’t want municipal governments to go any further than granting gay and transgender people housing and employment nondiscrimination protections.

“There’s a lot of questions. I’m not jumping to conclusions. I’m going to stand still and let the dust settle,” Buttars told the Deseret News in November. “I haven’t changed my mind about anything, but I do believe people have fundamental human rights. All people do, and that includes the gays.

But you’ve got to do it in a way that doesn’t give all those unintended consequences.”

Reaction to Buttars’ statements among Utah’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community has been similarly tepid. Will Carlson, then-manager of public policy at Equality Utah, said

he didn’t understand what Buttars’ bill would accomplish, given that city and county governments could only grant a few protections to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens, such as insurance benefits for the same-sex partners of government employees or the protections outlined in Salt Lake City’s ordinances.

Likewise, James Humphreys, vice president of Utah Log Cabin Republicans, a gay-friendly GOP caucus, worried that Buttars’ bill would try to preempt the ordinances, scheduled to go into effect April 2, thereby allowing “more extreme members of our party” to pass a statewide law much more limited in scope.

Johnson agreed with Carlson, noting that municipalities lacked the power to do things such as legalizing gay marriage within their borders, as San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom did briefly in 2004 before the California Legislature overruled him.

“I think a lot of people don’t understand that municipalities have limits,” she said. “A lot of the things our community wants need to be granted by the

state or federal government. Very few are in the purview of municipalities.

I would not support anything that restricted a municipality beyond its natural and constitutional restrictions.”

Perplexingly, shortly after reports of his possible partnership with Johnson aired, Buttars released the following statement: “Contrary to recent reports by the media, I am not considering co-sponsoring any of the “common ground” legislation brought forth by Equality Utah or it’s [sic] supporters.

“I will continue to defend traditional marriage. I am totally committed to preserve the fundamental political and moral principles that have made this nation strong. And I would strongly oppose any bills that challenge those principles.”

The “common ground” legislation to which Buttars refers was a set of four bills Equality Utah sponsored during last year’s session, which sought to grant gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Utahns such things as the right to sue in the case of a partner’s death due to medical malpractice and the right to inherit property from a deceased partner. While Johnson’s bill was part of the initiative, she stressed that it predated Common Ground and stands on its own.

“It’s naivete on his part,” she said of Buttars’ statement. “[Common Ground]

Poll: Majority of Utahns Favor Statewide Nondiscrimination Ordinance A new poll by the Deseret News and KSLTV shows that a majority of Utahns — 69 percent — support making employment and housing discrimination based on sexual orientation illegal.

Conducted Nov. 19–23 by Dan Jones & Associates, the poll of 408 Utahns showed that 47 percent of respondents said that the Utah legislature “definitely should” pass a statewide law extending protections to gay, lesbian and bisexual people while 22 percent said that such a law “probably should” pass. Two percent of respondents were undecided.

The poll did not mention gender identity or transgender people.

The announcement of the numbers came just weeks after Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker signed into law two ordinances forbidding housing and employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the state’s capital city. The ordinance, which would exempt small businesses, religious organizations and landlords renting four or fewer units, is set to go into effect April 2, 2010. In a move that surprised many, including gay and transgender rights advocates, the LDS Church announced its support during the Salt Lake City Council’s Nov. 11 hearing on the ordinances.

“I think it would be impossible to say [the church’s support] had nothing

Rep. Christine Johnson

was a one-session campaign, and it doesn’t exist this session.”

Johnson also stressed that while she is talking to Buttars and “love[s] working with my Republican colleagues in places we can agree,” she will not abandon the bill of which she has fought for so long.

“I have a very firm conviction about the integrity and the intent of my bill and that is something I would never compromise,” she said. “Though it’s unlikely I would ever comply with the kind of bill Senator Buttars would like to see, I think it’s important to have influence where one may. It seemed like, and still seems like, an opportunity to have some input that might bring forth better legislation.” Q

the year.

“If we do get statewide [housing and employment] protections, then it’s a good idea for us to decide,” what the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community needs next, she said.

“If we don’t get it statewide, we’re going to continue to move outward and provide the protections that we can,” she said, noting that Equality Utah would continue discussions with other Utah cities and counties about implementing ordinances similar to Salt Lake City’s.

Meanwhile, gay and transgender rights advocates in the state have cheered the new poll, including Rep. Christine Johnson, D-Salt Lake City, who has attempted to pass a bill extending housing and workplace protections to gay and transgender Utahns for two years. Despite support for such a law from Democrats and unlikely allies as gay foe Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, many Republicans have been noncommittal about whether or not they would vote in favor of such a bill.

“For now, it is wise of the Legislature not to rush to any sort of judgement on either repealing or passing statewide expansions,” Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman, told the Deseret News, noting his concerns over whether the bill would protect property owner’s rights.

Nonetheless, Wimmer added: “If we have something that is business-friendly, protects property rights, I think it probably would pass.”

to do with [the poll’s numbers],” said Brandie Balken, executive director of statewide gay and transgender rights group Equality Utah. While Balken doubted that the church’s statement changed any minds, she noted: “I think in many ways it allowed people to speak about their support.”

The current poll bears striking similarities to others conducted during this year’s General Legislative Session.

In January, A Salt Lake Tribune poll conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research revealed that 56 percent of Utahns favored extending legal protections aside from marriage to same-sex Utah couples. A simultaneous poll of 600 registered voters conducted by Information Alliance for Equality Utah revealed that 62 percent of Utahns supported housing nondiscrimination protections inclusive of sexual orientation, and 56.5 percent supported housing nondiscrimination protections.

“It’s a really good indication that attitudes as a whole are evolving in the state of Utah in regards to LGBT people,” said Balken of the newest poll’s findings.

Balken said that Equality Utah, however, would not be conducting a similar poll before the session opens Jan. 25 — although the group has budgeted to conduct “statewide polling” later in D ec e mbe r 1 0 , 20 0 9 | is sue 1 43 | QS a lt L a k e | 9

News

Park City to Vote on a Nondiscrimination Ordinance Park City will likely become the second Utah city to protect gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender residents from housing and employment discrimination later this month.

The move will come exactly one month after Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker signed the capital city’s ordinance, which forbids employers of more than 15 people and landlords who own more than four rental units from discriminating against employees and tenants on the basis of sexual orienta-

tion and gender identity. Smaller businesses and residences, as well as businesses and housing owned by religious organizations, are exempt from the ordinance, which is scheduled to take effect April 2, 2010.

Shortly after Becker signed the ordinance, Park City Mayor Dana Williams forwarded a copy to the city’s legal department and five-member council.

After some informal talks with councilmembers, Williams said the council determined it was ready to approve the

Taylorsville, SL County Consider Nondiscrimination Ordinances In the wake of Salt Lake City’s gay and transgender-inclusive housing and workplace nondiscrimination ordinances and a promise by the Park City Council to pass an identical ordinance on Dec. 17, at least two more Northern Utah municipalities are contemplating passing similar laws.

“I’m interested in it,” said Taylorsville Mayor Russ Wall. “We have looked at [Salt Lake City’s ordinance] and I’ve talked with the [Salt Lake City] mayor’s office.” He also Salt Lake County Council noted that Member Jenny Wilson one councilmember in particular, Jerry Rechtenbach, has also expressed interest in looking at implementing such an ordinance in the city of 60,000.

“But now that there’s some interest in the state in picking it up we don’t want to do anything that would be taken care of by the state,” Wall added.

“But I think we’ll know before the session whether that’s going to be talk or if that’s going to happen, and if there is, there’s no sense in us doing anything as a city.”

Recently, state legislators have discussed a number of options surrounding Salt Lake City’s nondiscrimination ordinances, including a bill that would prevent municipalities from passing such measures to one that would extend housing and employment protections for gay and transgender people statewide.

In fact, Sen. Chris Buttars, a West Jordan Republican known for his anti-gay remarks, has intimated that he might support or even draft such a bill.

The possibility of such a state law has come before the legislator before. In 2009 and 2008, openly lesbian Rep. Christine Johnson, D-Salt Lake City, presented a bill that would have extended employment and housing nondiscrimination protections to Utahns regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Her bill did not make it to the House floor for debate either year.

For several years, Salt Lake County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson championed an ultimately successful ordinance to extend insurance benefits to the same-sex partners of county employees.

“I’m pleased that the city showed some leadership on that. I feel really optimistic,” said Wilson. “I think the little victories are adding up and minds are being changed. There’s an enormous difference in support from the general population and leaders [for issues pertaining to gay and transgender rights] since I was elected just four years ago.”

Currently, Democratic Councilman Joe Hatch has signed on to the push for an ordinance like Salt Lake City’s.

And while the council has currently suspended discussions on matters of policy to concentrate on next year’s budget, Wilson said she expects the bill to move rather quickly and most likely within the month of December” as soon as budget discussions are finished.

While Wilson predicts a successful outcome based on the council’s Democratic majority, she noted, “at this stage in the conversation, a victory is really getting some more Republican support on our council.” In part because of the LDS Church’s support for Salt Lake City’s ordinance, Wilson said she thinks “there’s a large possibility to get some support across the aisle” for Salt Lake County’s.

“I thought that in the past but it didn’t happen, so I’m not going to be overly optimistic, but I have a lot of respect for my Republican colleagues,” she said.

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ordinance at its Dec. 17 meeting.

“We’re not even putting it into a work session” to discuss it, he said. “This was a no-brainer.”

Previously, Williams told QSaltLake that the city has had an “internal” nondiscrimination code for several years, and that instances of housing and employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity within city limits are rare — he noted he had never heard “first hand” of such a case happening.

Like Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County, Park City also offers health benefits to city employees’ domestic partners, and has for the last two years.

“These are good people.”

“What I’ve found in government is that sometimes people aren’t necessarily against something, they just need an advocate to do the work upfront,” she continued. “We sometimes assume … that the barriers people have on this issue is discomfort or not being open minded or whatever, but sometimes you find people just don’t put this at the top of their list.”

Internal employment policies in both Taylorsville and the county prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation (only Salt Lake City’s protects transgender people). In fact, Wilson noted that Salt Lake County’s policy has been in place since the 1990s, years before the county voted to change its government structure from a county commission to a county council.

When asked if a potential nondiscrimination ordinance would include gender identity, Wall said he wasn’t sure.

“If, for example, if I had a building inspector who was a male and decided he wanted to be or was a woman and started wearing women’s clothing I don’t know how we’d handle that,” he said. “Maybe I just need more education on that. I can see there’s a difference but I’m not sure I’d be comfortable with that [adding gender identity] unless I knew a lot more about it, because that could cause all sorts of problems in a department unless you had a clear understanding what that was.”

Additionally, Wilson said that the County Council needs to explore some additional issues the ordinance might bring up, such as how it would apply to county subsidized low income housing in unincorporated areas, like Magna, Kerns and the Millcreek Township. The council’s legal department, she noted, is examining the possibility that the county’s internal nondiscrimination policy may already be in force in these homes.

“If that’s the case we’ll remind people who are recipients of low income housing that they are already protected, and if they feel they have been discriminated against, they need to speak up,” she said. Q

Transgender Awareness Month Closes by Unpacking Gender

The Utah Pride Center observed this year’s Transgender Awareness Month with a variety of workshops, performances and weekly socials for transgender and genderqueer Utahns and their cisgender (non-transgender) allies as well as a candlelight vigil to commemorate people murdered the world over in acts of anti-transgender violence. But on Nov. 28, the month closed with its most ambitious event yet: an eight-hour mini-conference at the Salt Lake City Public Library.

Titled Un(packing) Gender, the gathering drew over 100 people of all gender identities and sexual orientations to panels covering such topics as makeup tips, facial shaving, coming out as transgender to family members, and the depiction of transgender and gender nonconforming people in the media.

The last of the panels was conducted by former Utahn Meredith Williams, a Ph.D. sociology student at Washington State University, currently researching how gender nonconforming people interact with the criminal justice system and how crime affects them. This workshop was of particular interest to Jesse Sluetsch, a transgender man who volunteered at the workshop.

“She based this workshop on a thesis project she’d done — a study where she’d looked at all of the newspaper articles she could find reporting on the murders of transgender people and specifically transgender women,” said Sluetsch. “She talked about the words they used, how trans women are positioned as ‘the perfect victim,’ and how the articles often state they were sex workers even when they weren’t, and how when they were [the writers] would place an emphasis on that.”

Williams also pointed out, Sluetsch continued, how the media frequently depicts trans women who are targets of violence as “men who were deceiving others as to their true nature,” and even goes so far as to explain the killer’s motives as a reaction to this “deception.”

She then had attendees split into groups to analyze an article that featured a transgender person and asked them to talk about what they would say in a letter to the editor of the publication that ran the article.

Sluetsch also said he enjoyed the shaving workshop taught by Jeremy Yamashiro, HIV Prevention Youth Program coordinator at the Utah Pride Center, which discussed the differences between types of razors and some shaving basics.

“It was basic stuff, but also stuff I didn’t know, but I wasn’t ever taught, growing up, to shave my face,” he said.

Sluetsch promised the conference would continue to grow. its going to be even bigger and better next year,” he said.

is giving away a same-sex wedding!

Send us a write-up on why you should be chosen to have your wedding bells rung by QSaltLake. If you are our lucky winners, we will take care of the: • Reception Hall • Caterer • Wedding Officiant • Wedding Photographer • Rehearsal Dinner • Floral Arrangements • Honeymoon Accommodations • Honeymoon “Kit” • Plus More to Be Announced Soon Make your case in up to 500 words and email editor@qsaltlake.com by Dec. 31 to be considered.

Wedding to take place mid-February

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News

IRC Emergency Request

SLC Mayor, Council Observe World AIDS Day Salt Lake City’s highest ranking officials gathered on the steps of the City and County Building for a ceremony commemorating World AIDS Day on Dec. 1.

On the cold and windy night, Becker, the seven-member City Council and members of the Utah AIDS Foundation stood before an audience of over 100 people, some of whom wore flashing red ribbon buttons.

“As a community, we can combat this disease through awareness and fighting prejudice,” Becker said in his opening remarks before asking UAF Executive Director and recently-elected Councilmember Stan Penfold to speak.

“Every 9.5 minutes someone in the United States is infected [with HIV],” Penfold told onlookers, noting that 33 million people worldwide are living with the disease, including a substantial number of children. Of that, 3,200 are Utahns, and their number is increasing at an alarming rate. In 2008, the rate of HIV infections in Utah increased by 16 percent over 2007’s, Penfold noted — and Utah Department of Health officials predict that 2009’s infection rates, when released next year, will indicate a 15–20 percent increase over 2008’s statistics.

Among infected Utahns, Penfold noted that 20- to 29-year-olds had the highest rate of infection.

“We have a whole new generation who doesn’t know the risks,” he said.

“Twenty-eight years into the battle, history seems to be repeating itself,” said Penfold. “We know how to stop HIV infections. We’ve known for 25 years.

But [factors like] social stigma, youth, [lack of] family support, poverty and homophobia” contribute to the disease’s continued spread.

To stem the tide of infections, Penfold urged those present to talk about HIV and AIDS with their friends and family, and to discuss the disease with their children.

“Give them the facts,” he said. “Children who have parents who are open about sex and HIV [actually] postpone sex and decrease risky behavior.”

“Parents, I know it doesn’t seem like it sometimes, but your children really do listen to you.”

Identifying herself as a “mother, daughter, sister, friend, grandmother, neighbor and recovering addict” with AIDS, Janna Dove spoke next. At 54 years old, Dove is the oldest Utahn currently living with the disease, according to her family.

“I tell you what I am so I can tell you what I am not,” said Dove. “I am not a statistic, I am not my diseases, or your fears, or a monster. I am just like you.”

Dove described her diagnosis with HIV in 1985 when she was in jail on a

drug charge. She remembered being put into an isolation unit in the men’s facility because the medical community knew little about the disease at the time, and staff feared that the disease would spread.

“They refused to do my laundry and I went a long time without human touch,” Dove recalled.

Dove was released in 1988 and managed to turn her life around with the help of the Utah AIDS Foundation. Since then she has received a full pardon and has managed to work and control the disease with the help of Utah’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program.

However, Dove said she found herself “scrambling to find medication” after the program ran out of money in September and bumped nearly 90 people from its rolls.

Thanks, however, to the efforts of the foundation and the Access Virology Patient Assistance Program, she said she now has her medication back.

She thanked the foundation and “all who made it possible for me and others like me to live happy, healthy, normal lives.”

Becker then called for a moment of silence as the bell in the building’s tower — and bells throughout the city — tolled 21 times to commemorate the 21 years since World AIDS Day’s founding, and

The International Refugee Committee in Salt Lake City, which serves refugees from all over the world who have resettled in Utah, is looking for donations of household items. They are looking for 50–75 lamps (for use in bedrooms), 40 kitchen tables and chairs, silverware, dishes and glasses for 100 people and 100 new or gently used, clean blankets. The IRC is expecting 38 families and 102 people to arrive in Utah this month alone. To donate, contact Shawn Strong at shawn.strong@theirc.org or 801328-1091.

Info: theIRC.org/SLC

Candy Cane Corner

the millions affected by the disease.

Lights covered with red filters on and around the building were then turned on, giving the building a red cast.

Becker then read the City Council’s resolution recognizing World AIDS Day, which noted the infection statistics Penfold had quoted previously, as well as the fact that people of color and other “ethnic minorities” who make up just 6 percent of Utah’s population comprise 37 percent of its infections. Q

Volunteers of America Utah, a group that runs several homeless outreach, counseling, detoxification and women’s programs, is sponsoring Candy Cane Corner in cooperation with The Road Home and the YWCA this holiday season. Candy Cane Corner is a store stocked with new, donated items where VOA’s clients can shop for holiday gifts at no cost. New, unwrapped items currently needed include toys, sheets, gift wrapping and tape, household items and clothing including coats, socks, shoes, XL-sized bras and men’s boxer shorts. These can be dropped off at 330 E. 400 South. To volunteer at the store contact Carol Shifflett at 801-537-8601 or cshifflett@ywca.com.

eBay it Forward

Ogden’s Only Gay Bar to Close At the Brass Rail’s New Year’s Eve party, revelers will ring in the new year, and say goodbye to Ogden’s only gay bar.

The bar opened 25 years ago and the building was showing its age.

“The building owner was just not wanting to fix things that needed to be fixed,” saig employee Nikki Reeves, deejay at teh bar. “He also doesn’t want the building to be a bar any more.”

Rich Hill and his partner, Mick, have owned the bar since it opened.

“Rich said he and Mick are just ‘old and done,’” said Reeves. “They need the rest.”

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Several people have expressed interest in starting a new gay bar in Ogden, but Reeves said it was nothing more than “drunk talk.”

“Whoever does will be smart. We have no other venue,” she said.

The bar was home to the Imperial Rainbow Court of Northern Utah, which held almost weekly shows there. Leaders are scrambling for locations to replace the Rail.

“They’re doing their next show at the Eagles Lodge in Roy,” Reeves said. “and I know the Ogden Youth Outreach Center is trying to help.”

In association with the Salt Lake City Downtown Alliance, eBay is a co-sponsor of the first EVE, a 3-day, 3-night event held December 29-31.

A highlight of the event will be “eBay it Forward,” a new tradition which highlights the sharing of items and stories that meant the most to the Salt Lake community in 2009, and gives a twist to the idea of “re-gifting.” The project is an interactive display of items donated by the community and listed for sale through eBay’s charitable initiative, eBay Giving Works. Proceeds will benefit Family Promise–Salt Lake, assisting homeless families.

Where: Charitable items may be taken to eBay Pavilion in the Depot Grand Hall at Gateway, 400 S. West Temple.

When: Dec. 29-31, noon–8 p.m.

Info: www.ebayinc.com

Prop. 8 Documentary Headed to Sundance The Sundance Film Festival has just announced that a controversial documentary about the LDS Church’s role in the passage of California’s Proposition 8 will be in its 2010 lineup, and fans and foes alike are preparing for a face-off.

Directed, written and produced by documentary filmmaker Reed Cowan, 8: The Mormon Proposition chronicles the LDS Church’s involvement in 2008’s Yes on 8 campaign, which included running phone banks and producing high-profile advertisements about the proposition, which sought to re-banned same-sex marriage in California. The church also exhorted members — particularly California Mormons — to donate their time and money to the campaign to pass the proposition, which a slim majority of voters did on Nov. Reed Cowan 4, 2008.

Already a hot-button subject, the documentary received even more attention in February when footage of Cowan’s interview with Utah State Sen. Chris Buttars aired on local news stations. In the interview, the West Jordan Republican, who has a history of making antigay remarks, famously said gays and lesbians had no morals and compared them to extremist Muslim terrorists as “the worst threat to America going down I know of.” Buttars’ remarks cost him his seat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, but he was quietly reinstated this summer.

One of the offending clips from Buttars’ interview opens the trailer for the film, which can be viewed at the film’s Web site, MormonProposition.org.

On Dec. 3, at the same time Sundance publicly announced its 2010 selections, Cowan and fellow producer Steven Greenstreet posted brief video messages on the film’s blog. Cowan said that he and the film’s staff were “thrilled.”

“You give up so much and you work so hard to make a film happen, and to get the stamp of approval from a group of people as wonderful as Sundance, you can’t ask for anything better,” he said.

The documentary, he added, would provide “a voice for the voiceless, and it strikes at the heart of one of the highest principles in America — and that is the separation of church and state, and the need for separation of church and state.”

Noting that “the churches and the lobby groups ... had their day in the sun” after Proposition 8 and successful efforts to ban same-sex marriage in

Maine and New York State, Greenstreet said, “At Sundance we’re hoping the sun rises on a new day and [for] those seeking equal rights the sun will shine on them.”

In an interview with the Ogden Standard-Examiner following the announcement, Cowan said that anti-gay activists were already making plans to protest the film. Salt Lake City gay rights activist Jacob Whipple posted one such example on his Facebook account on Dec. 3 — a blog titled “Sundance 2010 Boycott.”

“The liberal Hollywood gay agenda at its absolute worst is coming to Sundance Film Festival in the heart of Utah to show 8: The Mormon Proposition,” read the blog’s front page in allcaps. “Now is your chance to say: no Sundance! No way! Details on where and when and how to protest and picket coming soon.”

The blog has since been removed from its host site, Blogger.

In his video statement, Cowan said that Whipple, who organized a 3,000strong protest at Temple Square days after Proposition 8’s passage, will organize a street team at Sundance that “will match person-for-person anybody who would be hateful toward what our film has to say,” members of which will respond “in a dignified and respectful manner” to protestors.

Whipple sent out details about the street team in a Dec. 4 Facebook message.

“Between Utah’s Sutherland Institute, the Eagle Forum, America Forever and then everyone else outside of Utah, possibly even including the Westboro Baptists, we should have plenty of people there crying out to silence the message of our film and steal the spotlight from its success,” Whipple wrote. “Lets [sic] not be mistaken, the more they’re there, the more media attention we’ll have; however, theirs cannot be the only voice heard outside of the screenings.”

Whipple said that he and Cowan are looking for “as many volunteers as we can get” to accomplish this goal, and are “hoping to have marches going on in Park City or Salt Lake each day the film is screened.”

Queer Lounge Scales Back The organizers of the annual Queer Lounge in Park City during the Sundance and Slamdance film festivals have announced that there will be no venue for the lounge this year.

“Like many other non-profits, we’ve suffered from the tough economy and budget cuts from our sponsors, such as ABSOLUT, our biggest supporter which was unable to fund us this year,” said Ellen Huang, founder and executive director of Queer Lounge. “It is the first time in six years at Sundance we have had to make a decision like this. I was very much looking forward to seeing many of you again.”

The lounge will have a presence at Sundance, however, just no “home away from home” to mix and mingle and enjoy swag-filled parties among the Hollywood stars.

Huang is collaborating with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation to host three panels at the Sundance Filmmaker Lodge. Unlike other Filmmaker Lodge panels, these will be open to the general public.

“We will be in need of a few volunteers on the days of the panels, Jan. 23,

24 and 26 from 3 to 6:30 p.m.,” Huang said. “We will also be doing a big ‘street team’ promotional push on the opening days of Sundance, Thursday, Jan. 21 and Friday Jan. 22, by handing out flyers and programs in Park City.”

Organizers are also hoping to have at least one party during the first week of Sundance, but no details are yet available.

The lounge has been used as a respite from the frantic pace of Park City during the festivals, as well as for locals in hope of catching a glimpse of gay and gay-friendly stars, for years.

Sponsored for many years by Absolut, it was also a great place to get free alcohol.

Queer Films

Huang noted that, as in all previous years, they will still be going through all of the films accepted into both Sundance and Slamdance to note gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender content, filmmakers and actors. This list will be available on their Web site, queerlounge.org.

A few noted films with queer content, at first glimpse of the lineup, include December 10,

“There are a couple of huge parties that are being planned as we speak,” he wrote. “There will be a panel discussion. We are trying to make this event so high profile that you cannot read or hear about Sundance without hearing about 8TMP.” All events, he added, will be “as respectful and classy as possible.”

“The far right will do a great job showing up and making themselves look like nut-jobs. We need to take the higher road,” he said. “We’re putting on a show for the international community to show them that we are good people, we’ve been hurt and treated unfairly, and that we can rise above it.”

Whipple encouraged those interested in being involved in the events surrounding 8: The Mormon Proposition to message him over Facebook or e-mail him at allforoneinitiative@yahoo.com.

Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman’s story about poet Allen Ginsberg, titled Howl; French film, Contracorriente (Undertow), about a married fisherman struggling with his devotion to a male lover; Ira Sach’s Last Address, a short about the homes of gay artists who have died of AIDS; an Argentine film, Raw Love, about two high school boys realizing their relationship will end after graduation; and, of course, 8: The Mormon Proposition.

Queer Brunch

Outfest, Los Angeles’ gay film festival, is moving forward with Queer Brunch, now in its 15th year.

“We are definitely moving forward with the brunch,” said Outfest Director of Development, Kevin Connell.

The brunch is generally attended by queer filmmakers and stars, many of whom walk the iced-over red carpet as photographers snap away on their way into the Grubsteak Restaurant.

While the event is open to press and industry only, schmoozing with people over the weeks of Sundance can often get you an invite.

Watch for more information at queerlounge. org. To volunteer, contact Kirk Gearhart at queerloungevolunteers@gmail.com.

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Views

Letters Stunning Gang of Five Editor, For many years I lived in Utah but have moved out of state. I do like to keep up with the community and my old friends in Utah. When I read in QSaltLake about the LDS Church’s stand on Salt Lake City’s anti-discrimination law, I was shocked and awed.

I am not sure if you have the Utah queer equivalent of Time magazine’s “person of the year,” but if you do, surely it should go to the “Gang of Five.”

Their work will lead to a better life for so many people, not just in Utah but all over the country. It is nothing short of stunning.

Mike Jensen

Portland, Ore.

Bring On the Men Editor, It was my pleasure to attend the Utah AIDS Foundation’s World AIDS Day Life Fund Breakfast held on December 1 at Hotel Monaco which was “free” to attend. The event was held in the Paris Room and I was pleased to see that most of the tables were filled when the event started.

There was short DVD program about Utah AIDS Foundation’s Food Bank program and those who deliver service to there clients. Stan Penfold, the executive director of UAF gave a short speech about why he is passionate and personally involved with UAF. They had a couple of other speakers including Melissa Bird giving a short speech on why she is personally involved with UAF and the work they do in our community.

At the end of Melissa’s speech she challenged the rest of the audience to give what they could to UAF either in a one-time donation or becoming a life fund donor.

Within Melissa Bird’s speech she stated that she, Jane and Tami Marquardt, and Luana Chilelli will double the donation of whatever was raised that morning.

I personally know all these outstanding, beautiful, strong women in our community. In fact, I am very proud to call them my friends. These women have come forth in a time of need for the Utah AIDS Foundation during this depressed economic climate. These great women in our community have given their time and time again to UAF as well to many other organizations in our community. They are truly great leaders giving there time, leadership and commitment to the community they love.

My only question is “Where are the gay men in our community?” Why weren’t any gay men who have influ-

ence and money making the same challenge to the audience, which happened to be the majority of men in the banquet room that morning. Why are gay men in general not supporting, volunteering, or promoting HIV/AIDS programs?

After over 25 years of this disease in our community the lesbians are still taking the leadership roles and the gay men are still taking the backseat for the ride.

HIV/AIDS has been with us as gay men, and we are still having a hard time facing the reality and truth about this disease in our community. As gay men we still discriminate against those who are HIV/AIDS positive men, we don’t like discussing sex or safer sex when we generally hookup online or at the bar, barebacking has become common on online ads, as well PNP, and STDs are on the rise. No one is ever “safe.”

The statistics for this disease are frightening and alarming.

According UAF those who are becoming infected with HIV/AIDS are those men between 18-29 years old. Are you concerned? Are you worried? Then I suggest you donate, volunteer and become more involved in your community. Find out more about the Utah AIDS Foundation as well any other organizations that have HIV/AIDS prevention programs.

I have been out for 17 years now.

Within the past year I have found out and know seven friends that have either HIV or AIDS. When I came out, my first volunteer work was with Utah AIDS Foundation handing out condoms

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at the bars as well doing other activities for them.

As gay men we can no longer take the backseat when it comes to this disease. We need to take the lead in this effort considering that younger gay men are now being infected at an alarming rate.

Personally, I feel handing out condoms at the bars is not a true “prevention program” any more. That was done 25 years ago. However, I feel those condom buckets at the bars still need to be filled to the rim with condoms every day of the week. Sadly though those condom buckets seem to have only a few condoms or are empty. Why are they empty? As gay men we need to come up with new ideas, new educational prevention programs, and ways of making everyone aware of the true reality and cost of HIV/AIDS in our community.

As gay men we need and must take the lead in this prevention. It is also time for gay men to stop discriminating against those men who are “positive” in our community. We need to get over it, move on, face reality and face the truth as gay men. Anytime we sleep with another man we have that possibility of being infected with HIV or getting an STD. It is also time for us to be kinder, gentler, caring and more loving to each in our community. Instead of being bitchy or mean spirited, using, or abusing each other as gay men.

We are heading into 2010. It’s time for us as gay men to get real, face the truth and reality of HIV/AIDS, and take re-

sponsibility and leadership roles in our community.

Mark H. Swonson Salt Lake City

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Mountain Meadow Mascara

Trig the Turkey

by Ruby Ridge

K

ittens, my conscience is heavy

with burden and I feel compelled to share my torment with you, my faithful and understanding readers. Don’t panic, I’m not having a PETA moment about wearing fur, or contraband whalebone corsets (sadly, they’re the only ones big enough for my fuller frame!). It’s something far more mundane, and yes, it involves a mentally handicapped turkey.

Hmm, where to begin?

Well muffins this crisis of guilt started last week when I prepared a stunning Thanksgiving meal that would make Norman Rockwell swollen and erect with pride. Without any assistance or detailed written instructions, I single handedly cooked up a moist, yet crisp 20-pound turkey, with corn bread stuffing, roast winter veggies (including parsnips), cranberry sauce, and a lovely turkey gravy (I keep thinking they need to make weight loss smoothies in gravy flavors ...

I know I’d buy them). Anyway cherubs my finished Thanksgiving dinner was a gastronomic masterpiece that would make Rachael Ray cramp with envy!

Afterwards I pulled off the turkey meat for sandwiches, and put the bones into a stockpot to make stock for a bean and veggie soup. I know, I know, the perfect winter meal for when the weather is cold and crappy outside, right? Well my stock project started well darlings, but things took an ugly turn for the worse when I couldn’t locate the wishbone. Seriously, I could not find the damn thing anywhere. Now keep in mind petals I of all people know how to find a bone.

God knows I dated in Provo long before Craigslist! But I digress.

The lack of a wishbone struck me as a little odd at the time but then it really started nagging at me. Before I knew it, I was in a full-blown, obsessive-compulsive, guilt spiral. I had convinced myself that not only was my turkey deformed, but knowing my luck it was probably retarded as well. All I could imagine was this little Disneyesque ball of feathers quietly clucking to himself, limping around the field wistfully waiting for the poultry Special Olympics. I was a guilt ridden emotional wreck! Of the millions of functional turkeys out

there, why did I have to get the only one that didn’t understand the phrase,“it’s Sarah Palin ... run!”

Well speaking of Sarah Palin, did any of you wait in line at the Costco for Miss Thing to autograph her brochure?

Nope? Me neither. For one thing why was she at a progressive business like Costco? Shouldn’t she be in the gun department at Walmart sitting on a pyramid of minimum wage employees initialing shot gun cartridges? As if being at Costco wasn’t weird enough, I just read a blog about Sarah Palin flying around on her book tour of pivotal 2012 primary states on a private jet owned by the Uber-Christian charity Samaritans Purse. You know the one headed by oh-so-gay-friendly (sarcasm alert!)

Franklin Graham. Umm ... what happened to the “I’m just like you simple God fearing mainstream American folks, and I travel in an RV” schtick?

Apparently, she flies into an airport just outside of town and climbs on the prop tour bus for the quick shuttle to the “book” signing at Big Bob’s Caribou Jerky Emporium and Pageant Supplies and then jets out of town. What a du-

plicitous wench!

I was so pissed off knowing that for many years, I have filled dozens of those little red and green Samaritans Purse Christmas boxes with toys and school supplies for children in Third World countries (and probably West Virginia). Dammit! This is why we need to start taxing the churches. If these gigantic tax exempt evangelical charities are going to start abetting political campaigns, then they need to start paying taxes and be accountable like the rest of us (oh, and can we talk about the U.S. Evangelicals and the anti-gay laws in Uganda ... OMG!). Don’t worry pumpkins, I’m still going to send my usual Christmas gifts to poor children, but I sure as hell don’t need Samaritans Purse pimping them “in the name of Jesus.” Ciao babies!

Not only was my Turkey deformed, but knowing my luck it was probably retarded as well

You can see Ruby Ridge and the Matrons of Mayhem performing live, in all of their politically incorrect polyester glory every third Friday of the month at Third Friday Bingo (First Baptist Church, 777 South 1300 East in SLC at 7 p.m.). On December 18 they are raising funds for the Consociates Program of the Assistance League (who provide clothing and essentials kits for rape and assault victims).

Q on the Street ❝ ❝What Christmas gift

would you give everyone in the state of Utah if you could and why?”

Hope Eksten

Babs De Lay

Edward Bennett

Rebecca Dennett

Rey Martinez

Kirk Parrish

The gift I would most like to give every person in the state of Utah is an instant, painless, lasting fear-ectomy. Is that a word? Less fear = more fun and tolerance and Utah could use a great big, fearless group hug.

I would give them the sperm of Charles Frost and the eggs of Sister Dottie to ensure more generations will be tolerant and funny as hell!

I would give them the gift of understanding.

For one day, every man, woman, and child would see the world through the eyes of someone not like themselves. They would get to see what the other side sees, and, hopefully, learn something real from that brief moment of truth.

Free health care and equal rights. Two things we’ll never have in Utah.

I’d buy everyone a mirror so they can take a good look at themselves before they judge others.

Duh, iPhone for everyone!

Trajen Richmond A free refill of their favorite anti-depressant.

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Creep of the Week Star Parker

by D’Anne Witkowski

I

f gaY marriage is legaliZed in

Washington, D.C., then everyone will get AIDS. Bam! Just like that.

Move along, nothing to see here, everybody’s dead, especially Obama, and it’s all his fault for loving homos so much.

That’s the kind of post-apocalyptic (if by apocalypse we mean gays and lesbians legally marrying) hellscape Star Parker attempts to paint in a Nov. 23 opinion piece on Townhall.com.

After laying out D.C.’s abysmally high HIV/AIDS rates, Parker unveils the following: “Amidst this dismal picture, the D.C. City Council, perhaps on the theory that serving up another glass of wine is the way to help a drunk, is scheduled to vote on Dec. 1 to legalize same sex marriage in America’s capital city.”

In other words, making it legal for two guys to marry each other in D.C. would make HIV/AIDS rates go up. It will also make “our nation’s capital city transform officially into Sodom.”

Hey, you can’t argue with logic like that. Not because it’s sound, but because it would be, to borrow from the ever-so-gay Barney Frank, like trying to argue with a dining room table. Actually, a table is a pretty useful piece of furniture, so how about something less utilitarian like an umbrella stand or a curio cabinet filled with knickknacks that your grandkids will sell for next to nothing in a garage sale once you die.

Of course, one could argue that that’s not what Parker is saying at all. After all, she begins her piece by pointing out that the “poverty rate of Washington, D.C., almost 20 percent, is one of

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the highest in the nation. Its child poverty rate is the nation’s highest.”

There’s no question that our nation’s capital is in sad shape. But instead of offering solutions to the problem, Parker blames the gays. She even writes about the Catholic Church’s threat to stop feeding the homeless if gay people are allowed to marry, as if the church is the victim.

“The Catholic Archdiocese of D.C. announced that legalization of samesex marriage would make it impossible to continue its relationship with the D.C. government and require termination of the social services it provides to some 68,000 of the city’s poor — including about one-third of its homeless,” Parker writes.

Parker blames D.C.’s council for all

‘our nation’s capital city [will]transform officially into Sodom’ of this. In fact, the headline of Parker’s piece as it appears on WashingtonExaminer.com is “D.C. sells out poor for gay marriage.”

Uh, not quite. When the Catholic Church stomped their feet in order to bully the D.C. Council into abiding by the church’s anti-gay will, the council essentially told them to piss off. And rightfully so. For all Parker’s moaning about the plight of the poor, she seems to have no problem with these very families being used as pawns in the church’s fight against equality for gays and lesbians.

But for Parker, the council’s refusal to roll over means that gay marriage “is more important to them than feeding the poor” and that the council is “out of touch with the needs of D.C.’s poor.”

You know who’s out of touch? People who claim to follow the teachings of Jesus and then say that if two dudes exchange rings they won’t be able to give starving kids any bread. Even more out of touch is someone who calls such a thing the moral high ground. Q D’Anne Witkowski has been gay for pay since 2003. She’s a freelance writer and poet (believe it!). When she’s not taking on the creeps of the world she reviews rock and roll shows in Detroit with her twin sister and teaches writing at the University of Michigan.

Snaps & Slaps SNAP: Scott McCoy The cascade of praise for former State Senator Scott McCoy’s work on a number of issues — including environmental quality, liberalized liquor laws, legislative ethics reform and, of course, gay and transgender rights — has been overwhelming in these last two weeks, and probably tedious to read. But we’re going to add to it, anyway. McCoy came into the Senate at a pivotal time for gay and transgender rights in Utah — shortly after the passage of our constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, a charge against which he had lead just months before his election to Paula Julander’s vacated seat. And without his tireless work on and off the Senate floor, Utah would not be at the pivotal place in gay and transgender rights in which it finds itself today. For dealing patiently with the likes of Sen. Chris Buttars and former Representative LaVar Christensen for nearly half a decade, he deserves some kind of medal for valor. For insisting on being treated as any other Senator with a family and a personal life, he deserves our thanks.

SLAP: SUU Oh, you might think we’d be congratulating Southern Utah University for extending nondiscrimination protections to gay, lesbian and bisexual students. But we think they, like a lot of Utah’s schools, are forgetting a letter in LGBT. Nationally and locally, policy and lawmakers often seem reticent to add “gender identity” to nondiscrimination laws, policies and ordinances, to the detriment of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and the community at large. Transgender people have to fight even harder for equal and fair treatment than their non-transgender counterparts. It’s wrong. We urge all fair-minded faculty, staff and student at the school to remind the board of trustees of that.

SNAP: 8 at Sundance In a move that probably surprised no one, even the anti-gay groups now grinding their teeth, 8: The Mormon Proposition, Reed Cowan’s documentary about the LDS Church’s involvement in California’s most shameful referendum in recent history, has been accepted into the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. We look forward to the premiere.

Who’s Your Daddy?

Links in a Chain

by Christopher Katis

R

ecently ,

I was interviewed

by Seth Bracken, a promising young reporter with Utah State University’s student newspaper, for a story he was doing on gay male parents. I found his enthusiasm and desire to write a positive gay story refreshing.

As we talked, it became clear to me how different our lives were as gay men. No, not because I have kids and he doesn’t. Not because he and his boyfriend probably go dancing on Friday nights while I’m sitting on the couch watching a Disney flick with the boys.

No, our lives are different because at literally half my age, Seth’s experiences are shaped by four decades of gay and lesbian rights.

The way I see it, I owe being a gay dad to a bunch of drag queens, who in 1969 stood tall in their heels and said, “enough is enough,” and fought back against police harassment.

Now, I can’t imagine that the ladies at the Stonewall Inn on that evening 40 years ago dreamed that what they did would lead to Harvey Milk becoming the first openly gay man elected to political office. Or that queer couples would be raising kids. Or that same-sex marriage would be a viable issue.

But it all started there. And as I explained to Seth, each subsequent gay generation has had it easier than the one before. And, hopefully, we’ve made it easier for the generations coming after us. We’re all links in a chain of history.

That’s why in spite of recent setbacks to gay marriage — like the recent vote in Maine and Proposition 8 in California — I firmly believe that samesex marriage will be a reality in all 50 states. It’s no longer a matter of if, but when.

And that’s where my sons come in.

They’re a link in the chain, too.

My number one goal in life is to make sure that the boys grow up to be happy, well-adjusted men. I think that’s a challenge for any parent, but it’s especially difficult when you consider that Kelly and I are slightly whacky gay guys.

Unlike straight parents, however, we have an added pressure to raising “successful” kids. We owe it to those who fought for us. Those drag queens took it on the chin — literally — so I could live openly as a gay man. The bullet that shattered Harvey Milk’s skull also shattered laws banning gay adoptions.

My kids walk in the world every day

as the sons of gay men. There’s no escaping that fact. Whether they like it or not, whether they understand it yet or not, they’re seen as representatives of gay society.

It’s a mighty weight on these kids, but the reality is that children of gay men and lesbian women are an extension of queers everywhere.

I figure it’s similar to the reminders my parents gave my siblings and me every time we walked out the door. Not only were we representing ourselves, we were representing our family, and thus every Greek person.

Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t become a father to advance any cause. And I’m not training my kids to be little gay rights activists. But I’m also not naive.

I know that the kids of gay people, and our kids’ friends, will be powerful allies in the fight for causes like full marriage rights.

That’s why I’m confident we’ll see universal marriage sooner rather than later. The tide is on our side. And it’s growing.

You know, it seems that the tide is always on the side of gay people. Think about it. Within my lifetime we went from being arrested in bar raids to raising children. That’s pretty freakin’ amazing.

I shared this sentiment with the son of some friends recently. He came out during his senior year at a private Catholic high school. In a brilliantlywritten “manifesto,” which he nailed to the school doors ala Martin Luther, he announced that he is gay, and exposed the rampant homophobia he witnessed in his classmates and the administration alike.

He never could have done that, I explained to him, had it not been for the links in the gay chain that came before him.

Kelly and I owe our parenthood to those links. We owe it those who lost their lives, or broke a nail, to be the most fabulous gay dads we can.

But we also owe it to Seth, the young college reporter. We need to be a link in the chain for him, so he can marry his boyfriend if he so desires. So they can adopt kids if they want.

Hmmm, maybe they can practice by babysitting mine! Q Want more Who’s Your Daddy? Check out the blog: Christopher-whosyourdaddy.blogspot. com

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Lambda Lore The Day AIDS Reached Utah

I

by Ben Williams

n my lifetime ,

I have had the privilege of knowing giants; ordinary people who, when faced with a crisis, stepped forward when others often were too afraid, too callous or simply too bigoted.

In 1983, AIDS was just beginning to encroach on our community. People returning from California were bringing tales of a deadly sexually transmitted disease panicking the West Coast. However, many in Utah’s gay community were complacent, even thinking somehow that

living behind the Zion Curtain, we would be immune from the onslaught.

Actually, AIDS had been in Utah since 1981, when the first AIDS patient entered the old Holy Cross Hospital.

The first death from AIDS in Utah, however, occurred in 1983 — and the public was unaware that the epidemic had claimed its first victim. Only the health department and some of the man’s close friends were aware that he had died from gay-related immune deficiency, informally called the gay plague.

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The Utah Health Department, which had worked with the gay community in the 1970s to curb the spread of hepatitis and other STDs, was not involved with the community for much of the 1980s.

Sometimes was downright hostile to it.

In all reality, Utah’s gay community was whistling in the dark that decade and was left to its own resources as AIDS began to touch more and more people’s lives.

By 1984 the only public AIDS information in the entire state was found within Salt Lake City’s gay community. Becky Moss, producer of the weekly KRCL program Concerning Gays and Lesbians, regularly disseminated the latest knowledge on how the disease was being spread. Also, Laura L. Ferreira, publisher of the Salt City Source, published the only resource for AIDS information in the entire state by listing a national 800number for the AIDS Hot Line, which only operated 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Utah’s first conference on the epidemic was held by the University of Utah’s Lesbian and Gay Student Union in March of 1985. Here Dr. Kristen Ries, a physician who was treating nearly all AIDS cases in Utah at that time, was the key speaker at a safe sex workshop. A specialist in infectious diseases, Dr. Ries had come to Utah in 1981 and became an AIDS specialist when other doctors refused to take patients who had the disease. No one else would, so she filled the void.

In 1985 Sheldon Speares became Utah’s first AIDS activist as the first Utahn to come out as a person with AIDS. When he became a vocal advocate for AIDS awareness there were 15 confirmed cases of AIDS in the state, nine of who had died.

Serendipitously in October 1985, three individuals, distressed over the increase in AIDS cases from 15 in July to 22, created separate AIDS organizations not knowing about each other, and without any state or federal help.

Fr. Don Bramble, a chaplain for the gay Catholic organization Dignity, formed a support group for AIDS patients with the purpose of enhancing “the present process of living.” Registered nurse Duane Dawson and Lynn Koshimi incorporated the Utah AIDS Project to provide services to people with AIDS. Dawson, while retaining his fulltime job at LDS Hospital, became the project’s first director. All financing came from the gay community’s donations and the pockets of the people running the project.

Meanwhile, Dr. Patty Reagan, associate professor of Health Education at the University of Utah, single-handedly created the Salt Lake AIDS Foundation as a non-profit health resource organi-

zation devoted to promoting the prevention of AIDS. She also created a phone line initially funded by the Wasatch Women’s Clinic, but later mostly by her own money, money borrowed from her mother and from meager donations.

Also in October, the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire held its first AIDS Awareness Week to help the public understand the health crisis. The Court‘s fundraising was the only effort in Utah at that time that raised money for awareness about the disease. Emperor Scott Stites managed to unite nearly every portion of the gay community for the first time and collected nearly $5,000.

By the end of 1985, there were 23 cases of AIDS in Utah. Twelve of them were fatal, a number that included two children.

Yet, in the public’s perception AIDS was a gay man’s disease. During this year, Utah State Sen. Jack Bangerter, R–Bountiful, introduced a bill which would have made it a third degree felony to knowingly transmit a communicable disease — a bill which was aimed at the gay community. He also suggested that people with AIDS be painted green and quarantined on Antelope Island.

Finally, in May 1986, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave Utah’s State Health Department a $117,000 grant to develop programs aimed as preventing the spread of AIDS. However, state epidemiologist Craig Nichols refused to print the safe sex guidelines, saying, “We will probably cover every area except the Safer Sex area [because] most of the material that have [sic] been produced are too graphic for a state health department publication.” Nichols felt that explicit discussion of the risks of gay sex must come from the gay community itself. He said, “I don’t feel like we bear the total responsibility. And so we’ll do things we know we can do and are acceptable. And other groups will have to fill in where they think there’s a deficit.”

When Dr. Patty Reagan argued with the State Health Department about “how badly we needed the help because the gay community was working so hard to help itself,” Nichols told her, “If the gay community can help itself, I don’t see why the state health department should be doing anything else.”

It would be years before the state would cut loose money designated to warn the gay community about what constituted risky behavior. But by then we had built our own clinics, developed our own health resources, and taken care of our sick and dying friends and relatives.

I often wondered how many people needlessly died from AIDS because of Dr. Nichols’ refusal to help the gay community. I wonder if he ever wonders, too. Q 1 8 | QS a lt L a k e | is sue 1 43 | D ec e mbe r 1 0 , 20 0 9

State epidemiologist Craig Nichols refused to print the safe sex guidelines

The Straight Line Obama’s Legacy: “At The Right Time”

by Bob Henline

B

Obama was elected to the presidency in part because of number of promises he made to the American people. Not the least of those promises were commitments to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer community about expanding legal protections for them, ending the military’s infamous Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, and repealing the Defense of Marriage Act. But here we are, almost a year into President Obama’s term, and he has taken no real action on any of these fronts. In a speech delivered back in October, Obama committed to working with Congress and the Pentagon to end Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell “at the right time.” Those four words are now formarack

ing the legacy of his administration.

Unfortunately for him, the “right time” has passed. The president had a very small window in which he could have used the mandate of his election and the popularity he enjoyed. As his presidency continues and his approval ratings continue to slide, his ability to force Congress and the Pentagon’s hands keeps diminishing. It is no secret that health care reform is this administration’s priority; when push comes to shove, other initiatives will become bargaining chips to be bartered in order to get the support to pass the health care bill. And the initiatives that support America’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer community will be the first to be traded away.

It is imperative, now more than ever, for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer activists and for the community as a whole to push the president to honor the promises he made to secure his election. Equality isn’t a convenience, it’s a necessity. The Defense of Marriage Act and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell are blights on the face of American civil liberties and need to be repealed immediately.

Politically speaking, the GOP is currently weaker than it has ever been, with fewer seats in both houses of Congress. That will undoubtedly change in 2010 — whether for the better or the worse remains to be seen. That uncer-

tainty demands that these initiatives be pushed now, before the situation has a chance to deteriorate.

I voted for President Obama, and still believe that he was a better choice than Senator McCain. I must admit, however, that the “Change You Can Believe In” hasn’t been realized. This president is continuing with politics as usual, choosing a slow route instead of delivering on the great changes he promised and that are much needed in America today. Q

Bob Henline’s blog, The Nonpartisan, can be read at nonpart.org.

This president is continuing with politics as usual

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Gay Geeks The Gayest Christmas Shows Ever!

by JoSelle Vanderhooft

F

ollowing last issue’s outing of

Snow Miser and Heat Miser as Christmas’ gayest icons, I thought that creating a gay — and geeky — holiday viewing guide was probably in order, given the number of movies and Christmas specials (and the rare non-Christmas holiday special) showing in movie theaters and on TV between Thanksgiving weekend and New Year’s Day. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: So this kind of got passed over during last issue’s column, but this is just such a fabulous example, I have to elaborate.

Folks, America’s most famous Christ-

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mas special is a paean to queerness. Oh, yes it is. Rudolph’s father, ashamed at his son’s “very shiny nose” covers it up with a prosthesis and tells the youngster that “self-respect” is more important than comfort before sending him out to play with the other (male) calves.

Note, of course, that the reindeer games are basically every recess touch football match ever — complete with a macho asshole coach and posturing for the girls. When the calves discover that Rudolph is as queer as a three-dollar b ... I mean, that his nose glows — they run him off like good little heterosexuals. Meanwhile, elf Hermie, who has a metrosexual haircut and Mary Kay Red Salsa lipstick, tells his boss that he doesn’t like making toys; he’d rather be a dentist. In the North Pole, of course, “dentist” is code for “junior member of the Matrons of Mayhem.” The rest of the elves are scandalized.

Eventually, Hermie and Rudolph meet up and decide to search for some place where they’ll fit in. (Do you hear YMCA playing in the background yet?

Seriously, this is just getting too easy.)

On the way, they meet a prospector who could beat Heat Miser in the Mr. Utah Bear competition, and find an island of misfit toys which include such wonders as a very sissified jack-in-thebox and a pistol that shoots, wait for it, strawberry jelly — a kind that I hear you can buy at Cahoots. It’s like they’re not even trying at this point.

Eventually, everyone apologizes to Hermie and Rudolph for their homophobia, and Santa finally figures out that the reindeer’s fabulous fairy

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light nose is the only thing that can penetrate the foggy Christmas Eve. In other words, the queers save Christmas for everybody!

Well, maybe I camped it up a bit. But you get the idea.

Stuart Saves His Family: Even though it was based on an Al Franken Saturday Night Live sketch — you know, “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!” — this is actually a really touching little film about sexually ambiguous Stuart Smalley’s attempts to rescue his family from their cycles of alcoholism and emotional abuse. In the end, he learns, as we all do, that such things are not our responsibility, and that our true family is chosen, not biological. A lot of people hate this movie, and I just don’t understand why. It’s rare that one finds a film that is so simultaneously sweet, charming and realistic about family and Family.

“Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo,” “Mr. Hankey’s Christmas Classics” and “A Very Crappy Christmas:” It’s South Park. Need I say more? Since I have this column to fill, of course I must. In the first installment of this turd trifecta, Kyle Broflowski, the only Jewish kid in South Park, Colo., feels left out during the holiday season as his (mostly secular but culturally) Christian friends put up their trees and wrap their gifts. Given that queer people of all faiths and cultures tend to be left out during this time of year due to social heterosexism and hostile families, I think we can all relate to Kyle’s plight a little. And that’s not even getting into the actual gay stuff, like Satan (who is even bigger and gayer than Big Gay Al) singing a perky Broadway number with Hitler and other damned souls in “Mr. Hankey’s Christmas Classics.”

Overall, these Christmas specials are about being a little bit of an outsider, not taking the holidays too seriously, and most of all, being creative, imaginative and all-around fabulous, as the South Park boys are, always.

March of the Wooden Soldiers: What?

Laurel and Hardy are acting like a gay couple? Amid frolicking Mother Goose characters and handsome, six-foot tall wood (teehee! wood!) soldiers? No, that’s not where it gets vaguely fruity.

That happens when the boys outwit villain Silas Barnaby’s (unwanted) attempt to marry Little Bo Peep by dressing up Stanley as the unlucky bride. This exchange makes the entire movie: Hardy: Goodbye, Stannie.

Laurel: Well, aren’t I going with you?

Hardy: Why, no. You’ve got to stay here with Barnaby. You’re married to him.

Laurel: [tearing up] I don’t want to stay here with him!

Hardy: Why not?

Laurel: [sobbing] I don’t love him!

Anyway, this is one of those rare holiday specimens that doesn’t suck and is entirely family-friendly.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation: OK, so this has no gay content whatsoever. But how can you not love a movie that has this quote: “Hey. If any of you are looking for any lastminute gift ideas for me, I have one.

I’d like Frank Shirley, my boss, right here tonight. I want him brought from his happy holiday slumber over there on Melody Lane with all the other rich people and I want him brought right here, with a big ribbon on his head, and I want to look him straight in the eye and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, fore-fleshing, lowlife, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, dickless, hopeless, heartless, fat-ass, bug-eyed, stifflegged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey shit he is! Hallelujah!

Holy shit! Where’s the Tylenol?”

Since there is absolutely no way to follow that up, I think I’ll just sign off here by wishing you all a very happy holiday. After all, Christmas is the gayest season of the year. Q

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Gay Pioneers

Gay and Gray

by Ed Kosmicki

F

ifty-four years ago,

Dell Larsen married for the first time. His bride was a beautiful young Mormon girl who, like him, had grown up in Utah. It seemed like a perfect marriage: two devout Mormons marrying at the Mormon Temple in downtown Salt Lake City, the white fortress that towers over the center of the city and Utah’s religious life.

It was doomed to fail, though. Dell would soon realize he was gay and he could no longer hide it from himself, his wife or his church, which forbade homosexual behavior. Despite years of Mormon-based psychotherapy and church pressure, he couldn’t become straight.

Neither the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints nor the state of Utah will recognize his second wedding, on this beautiful fall Utah afternoon. In front of 150 friends and relatives, Dell, 74, and his partner Chad Smith, 69, who, like him, was raised a devout Mormon, are formalizing their 16-year committed relationship.

Outside the Inner Light Center, an alternative spiritual center near Salt Lake City, guests sit on white plastic lawn chairs and fill the manicured grounds, squinting in the afternoon sun beneath hats and hands and looking into a gazebo set up for the ceremony.

Chad’s 89-year-old mother has come to the wedding. Dell’s great-granddaugh-

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ters are flower girls. Dressed in matching flowered vests, the two men, both with gray hair and beards, their faces weathered from the effects of HIV, look like twins, like the matching grooms on top of their wedding cake, as they say vows and exchange rings.

In the aftermath of the Mormon Church’s all-out campaign for California’s Proposition 8, which legally defined marriage as being between a man and a woman, their wedding speaks volumes about gay marriage in the heart of Mormon Country.

“We were tired of being told we can’t,” Dell says.

Chad agrees: “Since Prop. 8 we wanted to make a statement. And we have

done it in this state.”

They’re not alone. In the last decade, a thriving gay community has grown in Salt Lake City, despite the church’s harsh stance against homosexuality.

Their lifestyle and challenges to traditional marriage have catapulted gays into confrontation with Utah’s mainstream. Not unlike the 19th century Mormon pioneers who practiced polygamy and migrated across the continent fleeing the persecution, discrimination and violence that had shadowed them.

But those once persecuted are now the persecutors. The powerful LDS Church urges its members to pour thousands of volunteer hours and millions of dollars into barring gay marriage. Conservative Mormon political power is partnered in this same-sex marriage battle with former religious rivals like the Catholic Church, which bitterly opposed Mormons’ polygamy.

In Salt Lake City, the heart of Mormon Country, gay pioneers have managed to thrive, including some like Dell and Chad, who have spent decades struggling to continue their way of life under the radar of a church that actively opposed them.

“Mormon gays need deprogramming from their Mormon ways,” says Jeff Key, 44, a gay activist and former U.S. Marine who recently moved to Salt Lake City with the man he married in pre-Proposition 8 California.

“Anyone who gets to adulthood as a gay deserves a fucking medal.”

These days, some 14,000 people who are openly gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender live in Salt Lake City — about 8 percent of the city’s population, according to a University of California Los Angeles survey.

The close-knit, young, vibrant gay population is largely unaware of the smaller numbers of aging gays, like Chad and Dell, who live quietly in their midst, says David Turner, of Salt Lake County’s Aging Services.

Salt Lake City was a natural destination for young rural people, gay and straight, seeking relief from desolate locales in Wyoming, Idaho and other places in Utah, Turner says. “Gay immigration [to Salt Lake City] has been going on since the 19th century,” he adds. “It keeps the city in balance.”

Both Dell and Chad spent their early days on farms in rural South-central Utah near Glenwood, a town Mormon pioneers established in 1863 near the fresh spring waters that bubbled from the hills to the east. Their journey as gay pioneers from Utah’s historical farmlands to this day’s ceremony could not be any more divergent, though.

Born in Redmond, Chad’s family moved to Salt Lake City when he was 11. He came out at 24 and fled 1960s ultra-conservative Utah for northern

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California just as it was metamorphosing into the heart of America’s counterculture. Chad immersed himself in a newly-flourishing gay lifestyle. He took LSD at all-night parties amid California’s art scene, where he was just one of a multitude of openly gay men.

Back in Utah, Dell Larsen was living the Mormon ideal. “Growing up I lived in a very sheltered community, a community of about 250 people, a total Mormon community,� Dell says. “I lived on a farm.

I never heard of anything except Mormonism, Republicanism and work.�

As a boy, one of nine children on the family farm, Dell didn’t even know what gay meant, but he knew one thing — he was never that interested in girls.

His father seemed to sense it. Instead of giving him a boy’s farm chores, his father sent Dell into the farmhouse to help his mother. He and his mother developed a close relationship. Dell and his father did not.

Dell married in 1956, at the age of 21, conforming to the Mormon tradition of early marriage. The next year, his son Richard was born. He became a successful traveling salesman, roaming Utah, Wyoming and Idaho selling gift store items. A devout Mormon, he never drank. He had to repress a longing to visit male bathhouses while on the road. The year after that, in 1958 he sat down and told his wife what he had slowly come to grips with. “I had a problem. I liked men,� Dell says. “Mormon psychiatrists said I could change, and all it did was make me hate myself that much worse. I finally tried to commit suicide and then I decided I needed to be who I was.�

After 28 years of marriage, personal turmoil and decades of Mormon counseling, Dell embraced his homosexuality. He and his wife divorced, and he fell into a relationship with Larry, another Mormon, 16 years his junior.

Like him, Larry had been married, with three children, and had risen rapidly through the ranks of the LDS Church’s hierarchy.

When the relationship was exposed, Dell’s partner was fired from his influential church job and both men were excommunicated. Family members were told to keep their distance. Dell’s close relationship with his mother came to an end. He and Larry remained together for a decade, until Larry died of AIDS. Dell still fights back tears when he remembers him.

Chad returned to Salt Lake City in 1969, earned a master’s in fine arts from the University of Utah and taught art there. Chad’s clients say he is one of the best art restorers in the area.

He and Dell met in 1993 at a support group for people with AIDS. Chad retired from teaching at the university in 1996. Unlike Dell, Chad had always enjoyed support from his family, even after he came out.

Just one week after their wedding, Chad’s mother Ruby died. Chad and Dell attended her funeral at the Mormon ward as a married couple, like they live their life now, whether walking in the park or going for their daily lunch at their senior center. “One of the ladies over at our senior center said, ‘I don’t care if they can get legally married in Utah or not. It was the most beautiful wedding I’ve been to. It was legal in their hearts and that’s all that matters,’� Dell says. “I finally decided I could be open.

I got up in front of a whole audience over at the senior center and told ’em, ‘I’m a gay man and this is my partner.’ All the people just clapped and clapped.

For once I feel good about myself.�  Q For information on services available to older gays and lesbians, call Jennifer Nuttal about the Utah Pride Center’s Sage Utah service at 801-539-8800, extension 13

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QSa ltL a k e ’s 6th A nnua l

Dining Guide

by Chef Drew Ellsworth

Even in these more challenging economic times, in fact maybe even because of them, gays and lesbians flock to Salt Lake’s finest restaurants for a bit of pampering. Chef Drew has some restaurants, some recipes and some wines for you to try.

Two Culinary Surprises: Wild Grape and Acme Burger

by Drew Ellsworth

E

arly in November I was delightfully surprised

by visits to two very different restaurants, The Wild Grape and Acme Burger Company.

Being a part of the wine industry, I was invited by the owners of Parallel Wines to attend a very special tasting and dinner at The Wild Grape. Parallel Winery is owned by four couples, three of whom live in Park City — Steve and Val Chin, Mac and Ann MacQuoid and Joe and Paula Sargetakis were joined by the Doilneys who live on the property in the California Napa Valley region.

The Wild Grape

I had been to The Wild Grape a couple of times, but was only marginally pleased. (Utah wants to have “wine bars,” but so far no one has come up with a convincing idea!) My dining partners were my sister Lottie Ann, my niece Megan and Brad Di Iorio of QSaltLake.

(Megan is 11 and didn’t drink.)

Although I am not a chardonnay drinker by habit, I was so pleased by Parallel’s delicious, floral, ’07 vintage. I had been told by many customers and restauranteurs that the wine was good but hadn’t come up with

culent on the inside. It was drizzled with an “au jus” made totally of the deglazed pan juices, and the flavor was like our Dad’s Sunday pot roast, which cooked for hours while we were at church. Lottie and I were amazed at how a chef could so recreate this flavor for us. Again, the plate was beautiful and surrounded by gremolata, which tasted like potato puree but was acthe $30 or so to try it. I loved it, and my sister, who is a tually made of cream of wheat. The dish was made chardonnay aficionada, was equally impressed. With colorful by a dollop of bright green pesto which acthis wine we were served an absolutely gorgeous cented all the other flavors. This was a perfect pairing oyster stew called “Oyster Brie Bisque.” The dish for the wines. was so nicely plated, for a moment I thought I was Our dessert was just as awesome as the other at Franck’s. A jewel-like oyster shell sat dishes: a simple, moist brownie-like terhigh on a mound of mashed potatoes garWild Grape rine of dark chocolate served in a pool nished with chorizo lardoons and ladled Parallel Wines of crème Anglaise topped with a broken with a creamy sauce not unlike fondue.

Event chip of homemade peanut brittle. (I just The gently cooked oysters were succulent 481 E South Temple love chefs who stick to classical recipes and still tasted of the sea, and the subtle and put their own twists to them.) Every 801-746-5565 flavors paired great with the chardonnay. course was based on time-honored Euwildgrapebistro.com I must say that, usually, chardonnay is ropean classics, but made new again by not a good choice with seafood but in this DREW’S RATING FOR THE Chef Phelix Gardener.

PARALLEL WINE EVENT: case, with the creamy sauce, it was a hit.

The dessert was accompanied by the 95/100 Next came three recent vintages of the Parallel 2006 Estate Blend. I thought Parallel Cabernet Sauvignon: ’05, ’06 and this wine was too young and too tightly ’07. (The ’07, for me, was the best!) Tasting these wines wound to be served at this time — especially with deswas a real treat; to know that people in Utah are this sert. It was not disappointing, but it was certainly not into the art of wine is so refreshing. the highlight of the evening. My view of Joe Sargetakis was our host and he the Wild Grape was enormously uplifted spent a lot of time at our table telling the by this experience, and I can only hope Parallel story. He was charming and rethat this trend toward true excellence ally understands current wine-speak: tercontinues. I give this Parallel Wines roir, hillside planting, 14 months in oak, event 95 points. etc. Parallel, besides owning its own vineThe Wild Grape is located at 481 E. yard, also purchases grapes from other South Temple, and my sister’s tasting places (this is now a common practice with the wines cost $93. The Parallel almost everywhere). The three Cab vinChard is around $30, the Cab is $50 and tages were served with a stunning lamb the specialty wines are higher in price. shank, “oso bucco,” which was crisp and Check out more info on Parallel at paralchewy on the outside and tender and suclelwines.com.

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Acme Burger Company Just a few days later I was treated to lunch by the staff at Acme Burger Company. I generally don’t go to “fancy� burger places but, again, I was happily surprised by the ingenuity of the menu.

I was treated first to the Acme sampler platter which comes in a large blue, ceramic boat — I love blue so immediately this got my attention. What I saw first were little duck lollipops — beautifully cooked and full of flavor — and skewered duck breast with a sweet tomato relish and orange plum sauce — very nice! The boat also contained spring rolls which were not as memorable as the duck, and a generous helping of the house-made chips with “Bac’n & Blue-cheese.� These chips were so rich that I could only take one bite. They were nicely made, but perhaps not fried in the cleanest of oil and they were overly salted with commercial season salt. The tasty Maytag blue By far the best thing I was served cheese was kind of wasted on the chips was the spinach salad with Austrain my view — however, I can see how a lian seared sea bass. The chef pointed chili cheese fries-loving football player out that Chilean sea bass is on the would find them awesome. But it was endangered list so they are using the just not my kind of food.

Australian, which is not. The salad The things I found interesting was dressed with a beautiful and tasty about the menu at Acme Burger was champagne vinaigrette — which is like their use of local, unusual meats from something I would make myself — and Tremonton elk to Morgan lamb. The sprinkled with red onion, Craisins and elk chopped steak consisted of a large toasted pumpkin seeds. This salad is patty, and the meat was as good as anything on the dense, stringy and sweet menu at the New Yorker and very rich. The poror at Bambara.

Acme Burger tion size was large. I liked The Acme folks were 275 S. Second West it but didn’t love it, and I kind enough to pack up all 801-257-5700 felt they could give this my leftovers into takeout acmeburgercompany. very unusual meat better containers and I took it all com treatment. The staff also back to work at the wine served me the crispy duck DREW’S RATING: store where it was greatly burger and the spinach/ 86/100 appreciated by the other artichoke dip, the latter of employees. which was gratineed with The salad runs at $12.50 cheeses in a Salamander and the burgers and other dishes go up oven. I scarfed down the cheese but to $17.50, but most dishes are in the $13 found the rest of the dish quite ordi- range. Acme Burger is located at 275 S. nary.

200 West. and I rate it at 86 points.  Q

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Contemporary Japanese Dining

Feature — Dining Guide

Persnickity Pinot

by Ron Shelby

P

noir, the roYal grape of Burgundy, Oregon’s finest, is now grown in almost every region of the world where there is viticulture, or a wine industry. There are some great Pinots out there and some good Pinots, but there are plenty of mediocre (or worse) ones as well.

Pinot Noir is a grape that requires a lot of attention in the vineyard, and more once harvested. Pinot Noir prefers the cooler climate of the latitudes of Burgundy, France and as chance, fate or dumb luck has it, Oregon, and more specifically, the Willamette Valley which sits at the same latitude. Thus making Oregon Pinot Noirs, in many people’s eyes, second only to Burguninot

dy’s — and a few would argue, better than Burgundy’s.

California produces some great Pinots as well. Of course, they usually tend to come from areas with a warmer climate than Oregon or Burgundy.

California’s Russian River Valley Pinots are will known and sought after.

These tend to be darker in color, a little “fruitier,” and some say, easier on the palate.

Those who enjoy Pinot Noir are very vocal about the attributes they seek in their wine; cherry, cola, barnyard, forest floor, minerality, on and on and on.

Regardless, Pinot drinkers are a finicky bunch, just like the grape they enjoy... just ask them.

A DIVISION OF DREW ELLSWORTH CULINARY CONCEPTS

Ecole DijonCooking School

COOKING CLASSES SUNDAY NIGHT FOOD & WINE PAIRINGS

Learn about great wines and great food Wine taught by Wasatch Academy of Wine’s Sheral Schowe, and staff Food taught by Chef Drew Ellsworth, Certified Executive Chef Sunday, December 13, 6pm

CHAMPAGNE AND SPARKLING WINES WITH TAPAS & SWEETS

Petite Potato Poppers, Puff Tart Pizzas, Porcini Bruschettas Greek Flaming Cheese — Home-made Breads — Baked Alaska Sunday, January 10, 6pm

Treat yourself or a loved one to cooking classes with Chef Drew Ellsworth, 34-year chef, wine manager of the Third West Wine Store, QSaltLake’s Restaurant reviewer.

Learn about and taste Torrontes, Viognier, Carignane, Carmenere and more… — French Potato Leek Soup, Yankee Pot Roast with Popovers, Cucumber Salad — Bananas Flambé

With small groups of no more than 8 students, Ecole Dijon gives you the opportunity to watch and interact with a professional chef preparing foods in an exciting and expeditious way.

Learn about and taste Fiano, Greco do Tufo, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, and Primitivo and more… — Garlicky/Cheesy Foccacia and anti-pasti Salad — Italian Beef with Pasta — Gelato with Italian Cookies

The atmosphere is very casual and warm and students can freely move around to see what the chef is doing. “Hands on” training is available when possible.

Classes are only $45 or 3 for $115.

Wine classes have a $15 wine fee.

Chef Drew will even hold classes at your home for as little as $40 per person.

See the Web site for details.

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Monday, January 18

MARTIN LUTHER KING PARTY WITH AMERICAN SOUL FOOD

Macaroni & Cheese with a French Twist — Real Southern Biscuits — Drew’s Ribs and BBQ Sauce and Simple White Beans, Collard Greens — Pecan Pie Monday February 15

PRESIDENT’S DAY PARTY WITH EARLY AMERICAN FOODS

Poached Whole Chicken with New Potatoes and Peas in Cream Sauce — Carrot Slaw — White Milk Bread Apple Pie with Home-made Ice Cream

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CLASSES CATERING AND CULINARY PARTIES: www.EcoleDijonCookingSchool.com chefdrewe@aol.com 801-278-1039

Recently, the Qvinum Wine Club held a tasting of select Pinot Noirs. The only requirement was the wine should be priced above $30; the general consensus prior to the tasting was that to get a good Pinot, you had to spend over this amount. The wines were chosen by members of the club at random, and individually. We did not know what would show up at the tasting until everyone arrived.

The lineup was impressive; some of the big names in California and Oregon Pinots were represented. One ringer, a $17 bottle, was thrown in, just to see how it would hold up.

Wines were all tasted blind — that is, with no person knowing what was being poured. Each taster was allowed three votes for their favorites. The results surprised on many levels.

The lineup, in no particular order was: Bethel Heights – Eola Amity Hills – Willamette, Oregon 2006, $30 Domaine Drouhin – Willamette Valley, Oregon 2006, $45 Cardwell Hill Cellars – Willamette Valley, Oregon 2007, $17 Expression 44 – Willamette Valley, Oregon 2006, $35 Artesa - Carneros, California 2006, $35 Fess Parker – Santa Rita Hills, California 2006, $35 Selby – Russian River, California 2006, $30 Argyle Nuthouse Reserve – Willamette, Oregon 2005, $55 Pessagno – Santa Lucia Highlands, California 2007, $40 The wines were open about half an hour prior to tasting. Some that were expected to really rise above the pack did not, at least on the initial tasting and voting. More on these wines later.

Tied for first place were the Selby and the Fess Parker, bringing up the second place (or third, depending on how you look at it), and a surprise to most, was the Cardwell Hill Cellars, the $17 bottle.

The other bottles fell into the following ranking after the Cardwell Hill Cellars: Agyle, Domaine Drouhin, Artesa, Pes-

sagno. The Bethel Heights and Expression 44 rounded out the bottom with zero votes each. However, don’t take the results of the two bottom wines too seriously.

My personal ranking of the top wines were the Fess Parker, Cardwell Hill, and the Domaine Drouhin.

Fess Parker – Santa Rita Hills, California 2006, $35. Dark rich color, with a rich plush nose of smoke, cherry, red fruit and Chinese five-spice powder that follows through on the palate. A sweet lingering fruit finish.

Cardwell Hill Cellars – Willamette Valley, Oregon 2007, $17. Light garnet color with a sweet/sour cherry nose with gamy luncheon meat that follows on the palate. Nice acidity to back up the fruit, but not overly fruity or tannic. An easy drinking Pinot.

Domaine Drouhin – Willamette Valley, Oregon 2006, $45. Medium garnet color, nose a little closed but features nice cherry, cola and earth. Palate has a nice bit of minerality and smooth.

Very reminiscent of a Burgundy from Marsannay or Givry. Very good food Pinot.

The two bottom wines, Bethel Heights and Expression 44, were very disappointing, however, both being open about an hour, and opened up after the conclusion of voting. Even though these wines ranked last with no votes, they should in no way be overlooked. If they had showed during voting, as they did later, these could have very well been the top wines of the night. These two wines should be sought out, but make sure you let them breathe. Several months back, I had the Expression 44 side by side with a 2002 Louis Latour Volnay, and it held its own in that company. Definitely a wine to look for.

Go out, be finicky, find a Pinot Noir at any price level, and enjoy. And don’t give up until you find the Pinot of your dreams.

The remainder of the tasting notes can be found on my blog, the Salt Lake Food and Wine Project at saltlakefoodandwineproject. blogspot.com.

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Bambara Restaurant New American Bistro menu w/ a “World of Flavors�

202 S Main St Salt Lake City 801-363-5454 Elevation Caffe Taking coffee and weenies to new heights 1337 S Main St Franck’s American food with a French twist 6263 S Holladay Blvd 801-274-6264 J. Wong’s Asian Bistro Authentic Chinese & Thai cuisine 163 W 200 S, SLC 801-350-0888

Market Street Oyster Bar Salt Lake’s showcase for dining, conversation, fresh oysters 2985 E 6850 S, SLC 801-942-8870 54 W Market St, SLC 801-322-4668 10702 S River Front Pkwy, South Jordan 801-302-2262 Meditrina Small Plates & Wine Bar Encouraging gastronimic exploring in tapas tradition 1394 S West Temple Salt Lake City 801-485-2055 Mestizo Coffeehouse Coffee, art, jam sessions, free gallery West Side 631 W North Temple Suite 700, SLC 801-596-0500

The New Yorker The ‘grand patriarch Market Street Grill of Downtown SLC Salt Lake’s finest restaurants’ - Zagat seafood restaurant 60 Market St, SLC 801-363-0166 with a great brunch.

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Off Trax Internet CafÊ Coffee, Wifi and Pool 259 W 900 S 801-364-4307 Omar’s Rawtopia Restaurant Organic Live Food 2148 Highland Dr 801-486-0332 Red Iguana Best home-made moles and chile verdes in town 736 W North Temple, SLC 801-322-1489



Dining Guide

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Rice Fusion Cuisine and Sushi Bar 1158 S State St Salt Lake City 801-328-3888 Sapa Sushi Bar & Asian Grill A gateway to Asia’s dining crossroads 722 S State St Salt Lake City 801-363-7272 Squatter’s Pub Brewery Utah’s favorite microbrewery, great pub menu 147 W 300 S Salt Lake City 801-363-2739 Takashi Contemporary Japanese dining 18 W Market St Salt Lake City 801-519-9595

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A casual atmosphere and authentic architecture provides a cultural backdrop that transports customers to a place unlike any other.

—Continued on page 32

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Feature — Dining Guide

Recipe

Turkey Rolls with Sausage and Wild Rice Stuffing

by Chef Drew Ellsworth

Ingredients 1 whole frozen turkey breast (defrosted, boned, filleted)

Using a sharp boning knife filet of each large breast half. When each half had be removed from the breast bone—butterfly open each breast piece to make a large, flat surface about 1 inch thick.

Stuffing: • 1 lb. ground country sausage—I like to season my own—many brands of breakfast sausage are too salty for me but you can use it to save time.

• 1 small box wild rice cooked per directions until tender and popped open, drained • 1-2 slices bread—any kind—cubed • Sauteed veggies—in 2 T butter sauté 2 t. minced garlic, ½ C minced onion and ¼ cup minced red bell pepper—You can also add celery • 1 egg--Mix all the stuffing ingredients together and season with salt and pepper—you can also add a little sage or your favorite herbs.

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Divide the stuffing into two equal parts and spread it on the butterfly filleted breasts— then roll it up like a cake roll with the skin, intact, on top. Tie with kitchen string and baste the top with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper and I used freshly chopped rosemary as well. Roast at 325 degrees until the rolls reach an inner temp of 155. Remove from the oven and cover with foil and let rest for 15-20 minutes before cutting. Cut into slices and top with your favorite gravy and serve with your favorite holiday side dishes.

Bon Appetit! Chef Drew Ellsworth

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Recipe and photos from Ecole Dijon on 11/15/09)

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The Wild Grape Bistro Eat where the locals eat 481 E South Temple 801-746-5565

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Scott McCoy Resigns Continued from page 8

bills are either held back or assigned into different committees for discussion],� said Biskupski. “Our ability to work together really had significant impact on what was happening up there. I am really going to miss that.� “It was really helpful to have somebody in the same place,� McCoy agreed. “We could move the things we wanted to move and stall things we didn’t want to go.�

The duo was so successful, in fact, that both say the Victory Fund, a political action campaign that works to get gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender politicians elected around the country, began considering trying to replicate teams like Biskupski and McCoy in other states. “There aren’t very many states where there’s [a gay or transgender legislator] in both the House and Senate,� said McCoy. “It’s that synergy that ups the influence. When [the Victory Fund] saw what was going on here, it made them start thinking about the possibility of trying to recreate the dynamic in other states.� “I don’t know specifically today if they are pursuing the Utah model or not, but they definitely turned their heads and called us to say, ‘Hey, wow, there is something happening there that we haven’t seen so far in our efforts,’� Biskupski added.

A Legacy All of McCoy’s colleagues have had only kind things to say about his departure, including Senate and House Republicans with whom he was often at odds. But the most heartfelt well-wishes have definitely come from Biskupski and Johnson, and the straight allies in the House and Senate with whom McCoy worked. “He was a fabulous mentor on legislative strategy on a myriad of issues,� agreed Rep. Jennifer Seelig, D-Salt Lake City. “We served together on the Criminal Justice Appropriations Committee. He was a great help to me when I was a nascent legislator and an effective voice for a wide breadth of issues.�

While Utahns in McCoy’s district and elsewhere will likely remember their former Senator for championing a number of issues, including efforts to promote renewable energy, the environmentally-safe recycling of electronics and, of course, for his bill that sought to allow same-sex partners to join their loved one’s parents and children in wrongful death suits, McCoy thinks his legacy lies elsewhere. “I think the most important thing I’ve gotten done is that I confronted people’s preconceived notions and

stereotypes about the gay community and helped educate them about who gay and transgender people are, and who our families are and what issues are important to us,� he said. “That, in some respects, is an intangible accomplishment because it’s a change in attitude. ... But I think by far that’s the most important thing. As important as getting any single piece of legislation passed.�

As for the state of gay and transgender rights in Utah, McCoy thinks he is leaving at a very good time. “There’s a [very real] possibility that we could get a statewide ordinance passed,� that prohibits housing and employment discrimination against gay and transgender people, he said. “But I wouldn’t have been the lynchpin in getting that passed. I think we have good people [in the legislature], and I’m optimistic that we can eventually get it done.�

While McCoy has no plans presently to remain involved in Utah politics, he said he will “always be open for possibilities.� “Who knows in the long term,� he said. “I’ve been saying this is the end of a chapter, but not the end of the book. I’m stepping out of politics for now, but not forever.� Q

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Arts & Entertainment Gregory Alan Isakov See Dec. 13

Gay Agenda Sexy Booty, Brunch with Babes and a Ball

by Tony Hobday

11

There are two television shows I can’t get enough of this season.

First and foremost, Glee. It gives me butterflies each week — it’s like sitting in your birthday suit under a ray of sunshine surrounded by a field of poppies while gently savoring a fudgesicle. The other is Desperate Housewives. This being one of the better seasons, it’s definitely my guilty pleasure — I guess cat fights among a cul-de-sac of fabulously kooky women, and the smoldering Mike Delfino are my aphrodisiac.

friday — This spectacular holiday concert by the Salt Lake Men’s Choir, What Sweeter Music, will have an unusual twist — as only the gay choir can create — on traditional carols.

Also, prepare for a few original songs composed by one choir member, sing-alongs, and a magnificent piece accompanied by both the piano and organ. In my opinion though, there will be nothing sweeter than the view of Dennis McCracken’s sexy booty as he conducts the show.

7:30pm, through Saturday, First Baptist Church, 777 S. 1300 East.

Tickets $10 at the door or at saltlakemenschoir.org.

10

QQ The Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire’s Snow Ball 2009 opens with a Meet & Greet & Showette. Oh lord! What “ette” are these gals going to show you. Of course, I’ve heard for a buck they’ll show you just about anything ... ooolala!

10pm, The Trapp, 102 S. 600 West. Donations to the RCGSE PWA Fund, rcgse.org.

thursday — Join the Grand Theatre for their annual holiday concert, Messiah: A Community Celebration, that starts with a little dash of Baroque music, adds a pinch of dynamic jazz and mixes in some gospel for a kick of energy, and then topped off with over 100 voices. It’s Handel like you’ve never heard before!

7:30pm, through Dec. 14, Grand Theatre, 1575 S. State St. Tickets $9–24, 801-9573322 or the-grand.org.

12

saturday — In conjuction with their annual Snow Ball, the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire presents Noir: A Black & White Ball. This fund raising event for people in Utah living with HIV/AIDS will be a glorious night of glamour, glitter and glue. Includes a light buffet, silent auction and prizes.

6pm, Black Box Theatre, Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. Broadway. Tickets $20, 801-355ARTS or arttix.org.

QQ The Salt Lake Film Society proudly presents two holiday Sing with Maria screenings of The Sound of Music, with prizes for creative costumes, gift bags, complimentary tea and cookies, and a pre-show with local talent. Ticket proceeds benefit SLFS family programs including Big Pictures Little People, which brings summer films to disadvantaged youth.

2pm and 6pm, Tower Theatre, 876 E. 900 South. Tickets $15 and advance ticket sales

available now at the theatre, saltlakefilmsociety.org.

13

sunday — RCGSE concludes their Snow Ball events with Live for the Holidays, another grand event featuring gorgeous and graceful drag queens, and which benefits this gracious group’s PWA Fund. Gee willikers these girls got it goin’ on!

6pm, Keys on Main, 242 S. Main St. For more information, visit rcgse.org.

QQ Born in South Africa and currently living in the scenic town of Boulder, Colo., indie pop musician Gregory Alan Isakov returns to Salt Lake City after last summer’s opening stint for the Indigo Girls at Red Butte Garden. His humble presence and overwhelming voice and guitar style have been treasured by an evergrowing fan base. Also, his honeydipped voice sounds a bit like Bruce Springsteen.

8pm, The State Room, 638 S. State St. Tickets $10/adv–12/day of show, 800-501-2885 or thestateroomslc.com.

1

5tuesday — Still behind on you gift shopping like I am? Well, consider hitting 10,000 Villages’ Community Shopping Night. Not only is it a non-profit, free-trade boutique, it’s also donating 20 percent of sales to the University of Utah’s LGBT Resource Center. Unique and handmade

items range from clothing and jewelry to home decor and toys. Fabulous!

5–8pm, 10,000 Villages, 1941 S. 1100 East.

For more information call 801-485-8827 or visit tenthousandvillages.com.

16

wednesday — Sage Utah, a program of the Utah Pride Center that seeks to build community, provide social avenues and to shift the aging paradigm within the 50+ LGBT population invites all to a Dinner Social and Service Event. Dinner, wine and other beverages will be served as participants put together holiday baskets for the Utah AIDS Foundation. Basket items for donation are encouraged to be brought in: fruits, vegetables, canned items, mixes, etc.

6:30pm, Utah Pride Center, 351 N. 300 West.

Free, rsvp (including number of donated items) to volunteer@utahpridecenter.org or call Jennifer Nuttall at 801-539-8800 ext. 13.

17

thursday — RirieWoodbury Dance Company presents Gravity — the push and pull of the Earth’s gravity is that force essential to the flow of movement, both physical and musical. This performance is dedicated entirely to the uniquely dynamic and theatrical style of Artistic Director Charlotte Boye-Christensen, including the premiere of her latest collab-

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orative work with Copenhagen-based music ensemble Figura.

7:30pm, through Saturday, Black Box Theatre, Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. Broadway.

Tickets $30, 801-355-ARTS or arttix.org.

18

friday — Join the Utah Symphony for a holiday concert guaranteed to make the season merry. Holiday Pops with Jerry will be a seasonal stroll of your favorite holiday melodies, conducted

by Jerry Steichen.

8pm, through Saturday, Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple. Tickets $27–85, 801-355ARTS or arttix.org.

DVD Reviews

By Tony Hobday

Rusty’s supportive straight business partner to the inebriated bride-to-be to the smart-ass store clerk, everyone (no matter how small the part) in the film is believable, relatable and memorable.

Lewis has created yet another great film noir that makes for an interesting conversation piece in any movie lover’s film collection.

19

saturday — The Utah Symphony returns to Abravanel Hall with another holiday concert, Here Comes Santa Claus. Whether you’ve been naughty or down-right nasty, sing along with Old Saint Nick to the classics. He’ll also be on-hand in the lobby for lastminute wishes ... ooooo! I want salad tongs for Christmas.

11am and 12:30pm, Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple. Tickets $11, 801-355-ARTS or arttix.org.

QQ sWerve Utah has invited the cast of Twilight to a delicious brunch of donated blood. Got ya! Anyhoo, join the group for an afternoon of giving at their Blood Drive, Brunch & Babes event. This will be a Triple-B bra size event ... is that an actual size?

10am–2pm, South Valley Unitarian Church, 6876 S. Highland Dr. Free, sign up by Dec. 14 at thekaris@yahoo.com or call 801-330-6077.

UPCOMING Events DEC. 31 JAN. 12 Mar. 31

Rufus Wainwright, Park City Howie Day, The State Room Michael Bublé, E Center

Save the Date

February 12–14 QUAC Ski-N-Swim ­ quacquac.org

December 31 New Year’s Eve w/ Rufus Wainwright ­ ecclescenter.org

April 16 Day of Silence ­ dayofsilence.org

January 6–10 Utah Gay & Lesbian Ski Week, gayskiing.org January 17 Her HRC, Celebrating the Female ­ utah.hrc.org January 21–31 Sundance Film Festival, Park City ­ sundance.org

May 8 HRC Utah Gala ­ utah.hrc.org June 4–6 Utah Pride ­ utahpride.org August 7–8 Park City Arts Festival ­ kimballartcenter.org September 28 Equality Utah Allies Dinner ­ equalityutah.org arts@­qsaltlake.com

back to a typical California party: One full of cute guys smoking pot, shooting raspberry kamikazis, playing strip Jenga and naked hot-tubbing. Shut up ... really?!?

The question is whether or not his husband turns out to be Riley. It could be Chris, another partygoer who takes an immediate liking to Mason; plus unbecoming rumors about Riley and his ex-girlfriend start permeating the party.

On top of the fact that there’s nothing new or cutting edge to this film, the writing is contradictory, and any humor found in the film comes not from the writing but from the physical slapstick, which feels like a crutch thrown in by Padilla.

Lucky Bastard Breaking Glass Pictures is a newly formed North American distribution company focusing on a wide range of “provocative and challenging films from all genres.” Debuting from the company’s Queer Culture Cinema are two finely tuned dramas, Lucky Bastard and End of Love — both of which transcend the modern day nuances of what it takes to love someone.

Lucky Bastard is an edgy and deeply unforgiving film from Everett Lewis, the acclaimed writer-director of Luster and FAQs. Lewis’ characterizations of his leads, Rusty and Denny, are profound and shiveringly human. Patrick Tatten and Dale Dymkoski, who portray Rusty and Denny, respectively, do so with moving sensibility.

Rusty, a respected restorational architect, lives out of a motel room, drives an older model Alfa Romeo convertible and caters to the California elite — like Mr. and Mrs. Howell (aaah ... the subtle humor). Denny, a drifter of sorts, gets by in life with his athletic, farm-boy good looks, and he carries the burden of living outside of his body.

Their chance encounter quickly develops into a passionate, yet nefarious affair: Denny’s need of crystal meth “for the pain,” manipulates Rusty’s need to fix things, to make them better. What ensue are countless flares of temper and child-like pleadings, and uninhibited sexual tirades; all of which lead to a visceral scene of emotional defeat amidst the darkened, pungent motel room — the television’s heavy snow the source of empty reason.

In terms of storyline, Lucky Bastard is not necessarily original, but what makes it noteworthy — beyond the aforementioned exceptional lead performances — are it’s stark-motion cinematography that beautifully compliments the story, and Lewis’ well-developed supporting characters: From

Be Mine Has the Gay Comedy genre hit an impasse? What’s up with the on-going synopsis of ‘shy, geeky boy meets masculine, toned out-of-his-leaguer with a smile that whirls heads like a cyclone?’

And why is there always the gay protagonist’s Prozac-happy gal pal that has more insight into his gay pysche than he does; that nauseating pillar of gay strength for him to lean on? And speaking of nauseating, what in the hell is so appealing about vomiting on screen? And flatulence?

With that being said, it might seem like Be Mine has garnered a negative review. Your thought would be correct. I’m being awfully tough because I’m a little embittered by the number of humorless gay comedies I’ve been subjected to lately.

Be Mine is about a shy, cynical college student who’s waiting for the perfect first kiss ... really?!? He’s cute, but his obsession with chocolate-chip scones is like a mouse searching for cheese. Lucky for him though, this obsession allows him to have a brief conversation with straight-acting Riley, who also happens to love chocolate-chip scones ... really?!? Oh, and they both drink iced caramel lattes ... seriously?!?

The film opens awkwardly with Mason and his cartoon-flamboyant friend (there’s a character stretch) Eric, tossing around a discarded yellow volleyball on the beach. The whole scene was so messy it was like watching Cast Away while on Ecstasy. It’s Mason’s wedding day, so in order for us to know how this day came to be — like we’d really care by this point — we are forced to experience the day he met his husband.

So director Dave Padilla takes us

End of Love

A Cantonese-language foreign film by writer-director Simon Chung, End of Love is another sharp, engrossing piece of filmmaking being released (Jan. 5) by Breaking Glass Pictures.

Chung’s tale of wrong choices is an eye-opening experience.

Ming (Chi-Kin Lee) is an impressionable 22-year-old man who spirals into the alluring and damaging world of drugs and prostitution. Ming’s gentle and forgiving boyfriend Yan stands by him until eventually their relationship becomes tainted by Ming’s improprieties, and then Ming finds himself arrested on drug charges and shipped off to a Christian reformatory camp.

After his release, Ming seeks out Keung (Guthrie Yip), his former bunkmate at the camp. Keung invites Ming to stay with Keung and his girlfriend Jackie and also who finds him a job at his place of work. The arrangement, at first, seems to work. Manipulation and deception, however, win over.

Chung’s meaningful script touches far deeper than the performances — Ming’s longing for Keung is futile and Yan’s actions lack the desired intensity from which they build. The script’s underlying question is “How deeply do the choices we make shape our lives as well as others?” Yes, it has been a universal question, but Chung addresses it with a smart, subtle, unpreachy tone.

In my opinion End of Love could have been much different, possibly less tragic, if only Yan had answered ‘yes’ to Ming’s invitation?

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Arts & Entertainment

‘Utah’s Other Choir’ Sings Some Sweet Holiday Music The Salt Lake Men’s Choir’s Holiday Concert has been a beloved tradition in Utah’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community for 26 years, and its 27th incarnation, “What Sweeter Music,” promises to be the same perfect mixture of uplifting, touching, silly and fun.

Also, there will be kazoos.

These will be part of a selection from the works of P.D.Q. Bach, the fictional baroque composer created by musicologist, composer and humorist Peter Schickele, whose music anarchically lampoons opera, madrigals and music history in general, and includes a fair number of mangled carols. For those who prefer their Christmas carols to be somewhat more intact, Artistic Director Dennis McCracken has also promised a Christmas carol sing-along and “a surprise arrangement of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” — though he won’t say anything else on the subject.

“There’s something for everyone in this concert,” said McCracken. “Holiday favorites, classic Christmas carols and three new pieces by Keith Rowley,” a choir member who is also an accomplished composer.

“He arranged a few pieces for us a couple concerts ago, and he wrote these beautiful pieces and said, ‘Here, I think the choir should do these.’ We jumped on the chance to do something original,” said McCracken. The concert, he added, will also include the English wassailing song “Landlord Fill the Flowing Bowl,” 1950’s doo wop, an arrangement of Franz Biebl’s “Ave Maria,” considered a highlight of 20th century music, for two soloists and two choirs.

“It’s probably the most stunning piece,” said McCracken.

The concert takes its name from a choral piece by 20th century composer John Rutter that will close the show, which McCracken describes as the choir’s biggest each year and one of its longest, clocking in at two hours.

“It’s just a fun night,” he said.

For those eager for a sneak peek at the Salt Lake Men’s Choir’s 2010 season, their March 13 concert will be called “Brothers and Sister,” and features a very special guest: American Fork Mormon mother and all-around iconoclastic gay ally Sister Dottie S. Dixon, the star of a KRCL radio show and play that bear her name.

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PRE-CHRISTMAS PRIVATE

WINE PARTY SPONSORED BY QSALTLAKE December 13, 7:30–10:30pm

KARAMBA PACHANGA NIGHT 1051 East 2100 South Sugar House

This is a private party.

Contact Manuel Arano or QSaltLake through Facebook: facebook.com/manuel.arano facebook.com/qsaltlake Free cover during the party.

Stay and dance all night.

A E “We were going to call it “Family Homo Evening,” but I had to tone it down a bit,” McCracken joked.

In June, the choir will perform “Americana: A Look at American Music.” “It’s going to be a little Broadway, a little show tunes, traditional American music, folk songs and some new stuff,” he said.

For Utah men who want to show off their singing chops, the choir will begin its member drive in January, with rehearsals beginning Jan. 7 at All Saints Episcopal Church, 1710 S. Foothill Dr., at 7 p.m. and continuing every Thursday at the same location and time throughout the season. Members may join at any time during the season and are asked to show up a few minutes early so they can get sheet music and take care of paperwork. Men of all sex-

ual orientations, gender identities andJ o ability levels are welcome.

“What Sweeter Music” will be per-u formed Dec. 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. at theA First Baptist Church, 777 S. 1300 East.n Tickets are $10 and may be purchasedh at the door or through Brown Paperf Tickets at 800-838-3006 or at brownpa-t pertickets.com. The concert is wheel-h chair accessible and translation for theo deaf and hearing impaired will be pro-u vided. Attendees are also asked to bringt a food or toiletry donation for the Utaht t AIDS Foundation’s food bank.

“We’ve always had great successi [with this food drive],” said McCrack-i en. “We’ve taken pick-up loads of foodm every year to the food bank. It’s one ofP s our charities that we support.” “ For more information about the choir visitm saltlakemenschoir.org. v t a a a West, with w J e r r y l Steichen G and the performance’s guest artists such as: Chanel W o o d , Melissa Treinkman, Aaron Blake and Brent Turner. A Conductor Jerry Steichen $10 charge at the door covers all-you-can-drink specials, and the proceeds benefit the M aforementioned organizations.

Tickets are $27–58. To receive thec 20 percent promotional discount ben-m efitting PWACU and LDS Apology,y go to arttix.org and enter promo codei d ‘qnight.’

PHOTO: Mark Bradley Miller

Holiday Pops with Jerry and JAM The Utah Symphony, in collaboration with Club JAM and QSaltLake, is offering a fabulous, discounted evening with their new Principal Pops Conductor Jerry Steichen.

On Friday, Dec 18, tickets for Holiday Pops with Jerry will be discounted 20 percent to the loyal readers and friends of QSaltLake. The discount will be funded to the People with AIDS Coalition of Utah and LDS Apology courtesy of the Utah Symphony.

The performance, being held at Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple, will feature some of Jerry’s seasonal favorites such as “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” “O Holy Night” and many more. Friday’s performance will also feature the Director of the Utah Symphony’s board, Patricia Richards, who will narrate “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

Following the performance, a party will be held at Club JAM, 751 N. 300

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L

Hear Me Out

Adam Lambert, Lady Gaga, Rihanna

By Chris Azzopardi

Adam Lambert, For Your Entertainment Judging the guylinered gay based solely on his sexually superfluous shot at being, uh, “spontaneously artistic� during the American Music Awards wouldn’t be fair. He needed none of the pseudo fellatio, because he can sing — and the Idol runner-up thankfully applies his rocketing range to these 14 tracks better than he does a man’s face to his clothed junk. He’s still making whoopee on “For Your Entertainment,� the hyper-sexual good-gay-gone-bad bit, and turning up the heat on Lady Gaga’s co-written contribution “Fever,� turning a falsetto-laced chorus that’s so Scissor Sisters in its sound and in its unapologetic homoliciousness. His debut is easily the edgiest of all Idol firsts (and maybe it knows that just a little too well).

Perhaps that’s because of Lambert’s versatility — retro glam-rock (like the crippled “Strut�), anthemic rock (“Time for Miracles�), musical-lit lifters (disc best “Pick U Up�) and vulnerable slowies are all here for our entertainment. Too much? Yeah. Sometimes the album’s like an 18-year-old running lose in a porn store. But, then again, you’re talking about a guy who boasts about being born with glitter on his face. This should be the least of our worries.

Grade: B

Lady Gaga, The Fame Monster Monsters kill, and few have done more chart-slaying than the towering, twisted musical mastermind behind some of this year’s weirdest WTF-was-that? moments. So it was more obvious than anything Gaga’s done that we’d get a part two (you know

how these monsters are). The eight songs — some ferociously fly (“Bad Romanceâ€?), a couple big blunders (she tries honky-tonk on “Teeth,â€? and it bites) and some old, recycled gimmicks on new cuts — are part of a generous re-issue of 2008’s The Fame. In step with the world-dominating disco ball she dropped on us pre-Monster, head-hijacker “Bad Romanceâ€? wields a colossal new-wave synth sound like Michael Myers does a machete. Her weapon is unleashed a lot, cutting through the BeyoncĂŠ-teamed “Telephoneâ€? and the way gay retro shimmer of “Dance in the Darkâ€? (name-dropping like Madonna via “Vogueâ€?). Songs about self-obsession, like “I’m So Happy I Could Die,â€? don’t exactly jell with “Speechless,â€? a heartfelt orchestral ballad with a ’70s rock feel. But, hey, at least it makes this fame monster seem more human.

Grade: B-

Also Out Susan Boyle, I Dreamed a Dream We love a good frump-gone-famous story, and the Scottish Britain’s Got Talent sensation’s story is bigger than her voice, a behemoth in itself and more technically flawless than David Beckham’s body. On her covers debut, she’s music’s Lifetime TV, predictably succumbing to ballads (the best being “Proud� and “Wild Horses�) bound to make the girls and gays weep. An extra jolt, and a few risks, could make Boyle all she’s cracked up to be.

Shakira, She Wolf If hips don’t lie, then a lot of them will be moving to the Columbian chanteuse’s third English-language album. Going for Americanized dance over Latin-hugged grooves, She Wolf is a strange beast, mingling disco, Arabian strings and weird quirks like howling as if they all made sense together. They usually don’t, but She Wolf — with one heckuva a campy title track — is a smartly written, hook-heavy piece of pop. It’ll devour you.

John Mayer, Battle Studies There are few highs on the gay-club-loving guitarist’s fifth album — except for the literal one on the catchy lead single, on which he asks, “Who says I can’t get stoned?� The answer is no one, unless pot was the cause of this lazily produced, underwhelming leap from bluesy-rock into processed folk-pop,

where even a Taylor Swift duet on “Half of My Heart� feels like an after-thought.

Leona Lewis, Echo Talk about bleeding love — this too-slick sophomore album from the big-voiced balladeer gushes it. Finding solace (the danggood dramatics of “Happy�), the we-belongtogether bit (the corny “My Hand�) and the kiss-off (“Outta My Head,� a refreshing slip into electro pop) — all delivered with gusto but, regrettably, little diva ’tude. And on an album that almost echoes her debut, you’ll be craving more Mariah-isms.

Chris Azzopardi can be reached at chris@ pridesource.com.

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Rihanna, Rated R That umbrella Rihanna gave us almost three years ago could’ve come in handy during her very public Chris Brown beating. She was mum for a while, but clearly that’s because she wanted the music doing the talking. And so it does on Rated R — a dark, sometimeshorrific portrait of the 21-year-old Barbadian vixen, who’s recorded a brave pop opus that’s nothing like 2007’s chart glutton Good Girl Gone Bad. She’s badder, but in the raw, de-sexualized sense that goth-rock “Russian Roulette� evokes with its violent analogies and radical anti-contempo sound. “Cold Case Love,� about a derailed relationship (and ex-boyfriend Brown, presumably), is meticulously swelled into a blistering masterpiece, ending calmly with a string lilt. You can almost see Rihanna walking out of the fire. She doesn’t start many, as it’s almost all more heavy than hooky — though self-boasting “Rude Boy,� “Hard� and “Fire Bomb� have insta-hit potential. But this is Rihanna the Woman, not the Girl — and her fourth offering is a mature reflection of someone who, at the time she recorded this, wasn’t living under the disco ball anymore.

She was seeing herself in it.

Grade: A-

D ec e mbe r 1 0 , 20 0 9  |  is sue 1 43  |  QS a lt L a k e  |  3 7

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The Dating Diet Oh, The Places You’ll Ho

by Anthony Paull

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Rearrange the letters below to answer: This gay operatic pop musician is performing New Year’s Eve in Park City.

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diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration.

Not particularly sexy, I know. Well ... except he’s at the hospital, and I have been searching for a fun, new venue for us to have sex.

Gross, I know, but I’m human, horny and impulsive, and I’m not about to deny my urges because it won’t go over well with the masses. You see, I’ve grown tired of the same bedroom, bathroom and kitchen table routine, and recently, I’m hot on the idea of taking my temptations to the public. Is that so odd? Really, haven’t we all wanted to get pumped somewhere we might but probably won’t get caught? ;WY^ IkZeak fkppb[ ^Wi W kd_gk[ iebkj_ed m^_Y^ YWd X[ h[WY^[Z Isn’t that the modEach Sudoku puzzle has a unique solution which can be reached be]_YWbbo m_j^ekj ]k[ii_d]$ ;dj[h Z_]_ji ' j^hek]^ / _dje j^[ logically without guessing. Enter digits 1 through 9 into the blank ern-day equivalent XbWda ifWY[i$ ;l[ho hem ckij YedjW_d ed[ e\ [WY^ Z_]_j" Wi ckij spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit, as must each of having a virtual [WY^ Yebkcd WdZ [WY^ )n) igkWh[$ GZeak _i WYjkWbbo \_l[ column and each 3x3 square. Qdoku is actually five seperate, finger shoved up your butt? Doesn’t i[fWhWj[" Xkj Yedd[Yj[Z" IkZeak fkppb[i$ but connected, Sudoku puzzles. danger lead to a more dynamic climax? Or am I merely really, really, really reaching?

Oh, who cares? I’m not responsible for my crazy state of mind anyway. I’m blaming these sick, sadistic and sultry thoughts on my friend, Ana, whose erotic adventures seem so much more interesting than mine.

Of course, I’m completely jealous.

With Ana, nothing is sacred; she gets to knock knickers with her boyfriend anywhere and everywhere. The public parking garage, the beach, the back seat of her BMW, the Zone Bar aisle at the health food store — baby, it’s all good when the thought of being brazen enters her mind. And if her boyfriend utters no? Well, she simply ties him up. It’s easy; scarves are in this season. “But seriously, it’s not like any sane man ever technically refuses anyway,� she confesses. “Well, what if he just got done puking into a bucket at the hospital?� I ask, over a cup of coffee in the heart of downtown, near the public park. “Do you think it would be wrong for me to ask him to pleasure me a few hours later? Be honest? Is that sexy?�

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I love my boyfriend; he makes the best death threats.

And no, not the kind you think, but rather the kind where each time he’s sick, no matter how acute, he’s ready to set up house at the nearest hospital, where he can be waited on hand and foot. “Baby, can you come over and let out the dog. I gots sick,� he moans on my voicemail early this morning. “I’m headin’ to the emergency room. Uuuuuuh.�

Alarmed, I quickly ring his cell, where his English mother answers, stating he’s doubled over in pain with food poisoning. It appears the spinach on his pizza at lunch had been riddled with E. coli, prompting him to suffer a massive attack of crippling cramps,

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Bewildered, she blinks three times and smiles, blind-sided by the question. “Outdoor sex is always sexy,� she responds, with trepidation. “But I suppose there are exceptions. Maybe you should consider somewhere else.�

Too late, I already have this ridiculous thought in my mind, and I want to try and make this hospital bit work, even though my friend Steve calls to tell me I am acting crazy. “Ugh, you’re not going to have sex with him at the hospital. Stop acting stupid.� “What’s wrong with it?� I ask, readying myself with a new designer pair of underwear, hand-stitched in France. “I used to do this kind of stuff all the time in college.� “Whatever. It’s not cool,� he replies. “Why? Because you didn’t think of it? Well, I’m sorry if I’m ahead of the curve.� “Yeah, you’re just so cutting edge,� he quips. “Why don’t you screw him in a PortaPotty while you’re at it?� “You’re not funny.� “I’m telling you, your boyfriend is not going to find sex at the hospital cute or sexy. And neither are you.�

This is what I’m thinking about as I drive into the hospital parking garage, where I place the car in park and solemnly stare into the rearview mirror. Sitting alone, I realize Steve is right. This isn’t sexy.

Rather, it‘s a pathetic attempt to find that very same rush I had in college, where public sex in a car or a study carrel at the library was a prerequisite. Since turning 30, I find myself longing for that very same fix, having grown tired of being quarantined to a boring bedroom because I’m supposed to act like a grown-up.

The truth, I don’t feel grown-up. I’m just as ready, willing and able to have a public sexual encounter, except I can’t find time to plan it due to working 50 hours a week, along with taking care of other adult responsibilities. “That’s why it’s not sexy,� Steve tells me, when I call him to say I chickened out. “You’re not supposed to plan it out. It should be spontaneous. That’s what makes it thrilling.� “So what? Am I just supposed to screw him whenever the mood strikes me, wherever we may be? What if we’re not prepared and someone catches us?� “That’s the one good part of being an adult,� he astutely replies. “You can afford bail.�  Q

Gross, I know, but I’m human, horny and impulsive

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SLAC Reaches Out to Kids

by Tony Hobday

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Salt Lake Acting Company has taken on the toughest critics — children. In their stage production of Go, Dog. Go!, a classic children’s ‘beginner’ book by P.D. Eastman, the company attempts to entrance the very young with a musical “treat” featuring a handful of playful dogs, while also extracting a suitable amount of entertainment for the adult audience.

For the very young it works like a charm. Eyes wide, attention and rear ends glued to their respective goals.

For the parents of the young, it’s burdenless, an hour to feel proud of their well-behaved child(ren) and have a little fun, too. And for the childless adult who just loves theatre, Salt Lake Acting Company, director Jerry Rapier and Jay Perry, it’s a charming show that invokes, depending on maturity, different levels of giddiness.

MC Dog (Colleen Baum) is the alpha of the unruly pack. Yellow Dog (Jay Perry) is the sort of the runt, but is hell on roller skates. Hattie (Shannon Mushe

Thom Gourley

Review

grave), the pretty poodle has an obsessive love for all types of hats, many to the dislike of MC Dog. With the accompaniment of Blue Dog (Deena Marie Manzanares), Red Dog (Dustin Bolt) and Green Dog (Nathan Shaw), the pack exuberantly delivers simple, intrinsic life lessons with the use of space, color, humor and repetition.

Musician Dog (David Evanoff) provides the youthful sound effects to toy instruments and tools as the dogs become construction workers, baseball players, gymnasts and banjo-playing seafarers.

Adapted for the stage by Steven Dietz and Allison Gregory, Go, Dog. Go! is a small book brought to big life. Jerry

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Rapier, a consummate professional director, uses the entire theatre, allowing the dogs to run rampant on foot scooters and in invisible cars. And with the assistance of Keven Myhre’s inspired set design, SLAC’s journey to a simpler age is an illustration as colorful and

animated as in the original pages of the book. Q

Go, Dog Go! is on the move through Dec. 27, Salt Lake Acting Company, 168 W. 500 North.

Tickets $12–33, 801-363-7522 or saltlakeactingcompany.org.

Q Nightlife W E E K LY B A R E V E N T S

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Cocktail Chatter

Homo for the Holidays

By Keith Orr

My puritan forebears would be aghast at the amount of drinking that goes on around the holidays. They’d also be aghast I’m gay, so we know how much I care about their opinion.

Thanksgiving eve is one of the biggest bar nights of the year. But the real drinking starts the next morning for me. Several years ago Martin and I took over the preparation of the Family Thanksgiving Dinner. The Turkey Coup came after one-too-many overcooked (or worse, undercooked) turkeys. So the gay boys get up early and start the turkey prep.

This ritual begins at about 8 a.m. and is accompanied by mimosas.

After the bird is in the oven we start on brunch. This is when we get the rest of the family drinking mimosas, as well. The key to great mimosas is in the orange juice. Use fresh squeezed. Much as I love Taittinger’s champagne, there is no reason to use it when you are mixing it with OJ. I use Cook’s Brut: inexpensive and palatable. My ratio is two parts champagne to one part OJ. If you want to kick it up a notch spike it with a splash of Grand Marnier. And don’t forget the garnish, half an orange wheel on the rim.

As the afternoon progresses, while the more butch members of the gathering become entranced by watching football, and the rest of us engage in a Judy Garland retrospective marathon, I start mixing what I affectionately call Grandfather Drinks, like Old Fashions or Manhattans. Since we spend the holidays in Wisconsin, I usually mix Brandy Manhattans. It was only after I moved away from Wisconsin that I found out that brandy is not what everyone drinks after being weaned off milk. If you want a Whiskey Manhattan I recommend Crown Royal. We got hooked on Crown Royal Manhattans on a Vegas trip years ago. Whether brandy or whiskey, the proportion is three parts liquor, one part sweet vermouth and a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters over ice. Garnish with a cherry.

My favorite Grandfather Drink is an obscure drink my father picked up about 60 years ago in Lexington, Mass., The Flintlock: 1½ oz. brandy, ½ oz. Apple Brandy, 1 tsp. lemon juice, 3 drops grenadine, a couple dashes white Creme de Menthe.

I could spend an entire column on what wine to serve with dinner. There are a lot of flavors on the traditional holiday table, and no one wine is perfect. Champagne pairs well with many foods, and the acidity clears the palate for the next dish. Now is the time to break out the Taittinger’s. Pinot Noir works great with poultry. White wines that are fruit forward and have a little residual sugar, like a Riesling, are often popular.

After a huge holiday dinner we engage in the traditional run to the nearest gay bar.

Even if you love your family, after a full day of football and embarrassing childhood stories I’m ready for cocktails with a lot of gay people. Stick with the holiday theme and try a Pumpkin Pie Shot, made of equal parts Kahlua, Bailey’s Irish Cream, and Goldschlager or other cinnamon schnapps.

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Q Puzzle

The Pleasure of His Company

Across 1 Circuit party, for some 6 Lesbian Nation author Johnston 10 Split in the skin 14 Colette’s love 15 Diva’s performance 16 Actress Merrill 17 Unexpected help 18 Hunter film of 1981 20 Small particles 21 Paid to play 22 Spring month for Debussy 23 Many millennia 25 Dykes on Bikes, e.g.

27 Ed Wood role 30 Some eat it semifirm 32 J. Spahr and others 33 Christmas poem opener 35 Overhand stroke, for Mauresmo 39 From the top 40 Whale finder 42 Trojans’ org.

43 What the Scarecrow had instead of a heart 45 Drag role for John Travolta 46 Cheerleader’s routine 47 Tibetan capital

49 Between lovers 51 Field goal specialist 54 Romeo or Juliet 55 Gardner of Show Boat 56 Poetry muse 59 The Seven Samurai director Kurosawa 63 Hunter film of 1955 65 Like a queen 66 Ready to go in 67 Foe of Peter Pan 68 Take care of 69 Streisand, for short 70 Began like Sheehan, with “off” 71 First name in makeup Down 1 Bankhead’s home, for short 2 “___ my wit’s end!”

3 Denial for Nanette 4 Hunter film of 1958 5 Used rubbers 6 Asian archipelago 7 Muscle Marys pump it 8 Light tune 9 Cake parts 10 Audiophile’s stack 11 “Another card” in S/M-speak?

12 Lend ___ (listen) 13 City Porter loved in song 19 Prepares for press 24 Mouthful for a stallion

26 Hunter film of 1958 27 End of a favorite holiday 28 Fasting time 29 “If ___ I Would Leave You” 30 Bear-like mammal 31 Straight ___ arrow 34 Trials and tribulations 36 They’re good for tricks 37 It’ll spice up your meat 38 In the pink 41 Go lickety-split 44 Roulette spinner 48 Cop’s collar 50 Six Feet Under auto 51 Meat that gets stuck 52 An ex of the Donald 53 Provide food for 54 Played (with) 57 Top 58 Shoe holder 60 Response to a joke, with “it” 61 Assign stars to 62 It’s for skin 64 The Pleasure of His Company star Hunter answers on p. 43

Cryptogram

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: X = C Theme: Quote by America’s Best Christian, Betty Bowers, on marriage equality.

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_____ ________ _____ ____ ___________ _ ___________ ________ __ _ ______ __ _ ___ ____ _____ _______ ___ _________ __ _ _____ _____.

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Jerry Steichen and guest artists.

Proceeds benefit: LDS Apology and the People with AIDS Coalition of Utah.

DJ Mike Babbitt spinning from 9pm–2am

D ec e mbe r 1 0 , 20 0 9 | is sue 1 43 | QS a lt L a k e | 4 3

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Open Tuesday – Saturday at 5pm No Cover – No Membership — 21+ 751 North 300 West - In The Gayborhood www.JAMslc.com

Q

Q Scene

Hot Winter Nights

by Mike E. Ellis

A

s many of us probably hate to admit, winter has arrived, and

while the warm feeling of Christmas is drawing near, so is the blistering cold and fluffy snow. The busy holiday season can get the best of us, with attending so many parties, fighting the crowds to purchase that last-minute gift and sneaking one more piece of that delectable holiday candy. Some of us decide that being naughty is the way to go, and others choose the nice route.

And luckily, during the entire holiday craze, our nightlife defrosts the winter ice and remains hotter than ever.

Remember last issue when I suddenly couldn’t reveal where the highly-anticipated Püre was going to be because of sudden “issues?”

Well, I still get to be the one who scoops this piece of info.

Püre has set its opening date for Jan. 1, 2010 — yes, the night after New Year’s Eve. Bonus! Two ultra-hot nights in two days! Püre will be every Friday night at the Rail Event Center at 235 N. 500 West.

The owners of the rail have sunk millions — yes, millions — of dollars into the building, and the venue hosts a lot of amenities you will only find there. Only one .. well, I guess two ... of which are enough restroom stalls to handle the Salt Lake City International Airport.

This is going to be one hell of a party, and as I mentioned in my last column, you won’t want to miss it. Eric and Nova are doing nothing but spectacular things for the grand opening event, and it will undoubtedly be a night that will not soon be forgotten.

4 4 | QS a lt L a k e | is sue 1 43 | D ec e mbe r 1 0 , 20 0 9

While the temperatures outside drop lower and lower, the weekend scene will just keep getting hotter and hotter. Try-Angles with be featuring DJ David Knapp with the Dance Across America tour on Saturday, Dec. 19. And to make things even sexier, it’s going to be an underwear party. Try-Angles always delivers with their underwear parties, and throw in a top notch DJ into the mix and you have the perfect recipe for a night to remember. The boys will be hot (and half naked), the music will be pumping, and the dance floor will be steamy and sinfully delicious. Oh, and don’t forget, after you’re done showing off your best undies, stop into Off Trax. This is the perfect after bar hangout — the location is excellent, and the food is tasty. One wonders, will they require you to put your clothes back on? Guess you’ll have to come and see for yourself.

After a long weekend of drinking, dancing and playing with our best girlfriends, some of us want to take our Sabbath Sunday and enjoy the few hours we have left, before hitting the grind again. Others prefer a different approach, and lucky for us the Sunday nightlife is nothing but a veritable treasure chest of fun. Every Sunday the Tavernacle hosts karaoke and offers dollar drafts. So you can enjoy some beer, and watch some of Salt Lake’s own American Idols duel it out on the microphone.

Karaoke isn’t your cup of tea? Well, you’re in luck! Karamba brings the heat each and every Sunday. In fact, QSaltLake will be sponsoring a wine party on Sunday, Dec. 13. Swing by and enjoy some nice wine and some hot salsa dancing.

Tuesday nights are about to get a zap of excitement, with the QLounge opening on Dec. 15. This exciting new hangout will be held at club Bliss, and should provide us with an excellent spot to get our post-work cocktail. A mastermind team that will do nothing but please is producing this new gem. And just like the ad states, this place will definitely offer “a night that starts out sophisticated and ends sexy.”

Be sure to come check it out, chill with some great people, and warm up with a cocktail or two.

Stay tuned for the lowdown and places to be for New Year’s! I wish you all a happy and safe holiday season and can’t wait to see you out on the dance floor. Q

Michael Aaron made it to Club Try-Angles for the Manhunt Underwear Night and Food Drive after having giggled his buttocks off at Kathy Griffin. These were the only printable photos he took.

Q Fitness

Tips for a Successful Chest Workout

by Laimis

I

someone spotting you, especially where name their favorite exercise, those chest exercises are concerned. Having involving the chest would come in a spotter will allow you to work out betfirst, no contest. ter during those times when you want Chest exercises are absolutely the to do a low number of reps with heavier most popular kind around. When a guy weights. hits the gym, they’re the first things he Now let’s begin with a few chest exwants to do. Men love them, trust me. Af- ercises. ter all, a muscular, well-developed chest Barbell Flat Bench Chest Press is one of the distinguishing characterisLie on — what else? — a bench press tics of the ideal Western male image. with the barbell above your chest. Grasp But part of the problem in building the barbell with a medium grip (hands a well-rounded chest is that most guys about shoulder-width apart) or slightly don’t know what constitutes the chest wider. Your palms should be facing your as far as muscles are concerned. When legs, and your feet should be resting flat I say chest, I’m talking about the area on the ground. Your back is straight and between your collarbone and the soft against the bench. center of your rib cage, and the area exLower the barbell to your chest, at tending from armpit to armpit. In this nipple level. Your elbows should be zone, the biggest, most obvious muscles pointed out while the rest of your body are the pectoralis, the breast muscles remains in position. Don’t arch your that lay across the upper half of the rib back or bounce the bar off your chest. cage. You probably know them as pecs. Raise the barbell to the starting position Connected to your shoulders, these mus- and repeat. cles help out with any lifting or pushing Dumbbell Flies activities you do.

Lie on your back on the bench with Less visible, but of equal importance your legs parted and your feet firmly on to the chest, are the subclavius and ser- the floor. Hold two dumbbells above you ratus muscles, which are located under with your palms facing each other. The and to the side of the pecs. These help dumbbells should be nearly touching to give your shoulders and arms greater each other above your chest. Your back maneuverability. The serratus in partic- should be straight and firm against the ular helps you to push and punch. These bench, and your elbows unlocked. muscles also anchor and support the Slowly lower the dumbbells out and pecs in whatever activity they’re doing. away from each other in a semicircular Working these unsung heroes can give motion. Keep your wrists locked. Lower your chest a fuller, more muscled look the dumbbells until they are at chest levthen doing pec exercise alone. Working el. Your elbows should be bent at roughthem out will also improve your overall ly a 45-degree angle while your back upper-body strength. should be straight. Raise the dumbbells The muscles under the pecs give to the starting position and repeat. power to arm movements, and are the Note: Be sure to watch out for your real workhorse in the chest. But because shoulder; it’s going to try to sneak in your arm and chest strength are closely and do the work in this exercise, so linked, fully working the chest muscles you should really focus on doing this can be challenge. You work your chest lift with your chest muscles. Also, the muscles through your arms which have more your shoulder gets into the lift, the to do lifting. This means it’s easy to let greater your chance of injuring it. your arms do the work and cheat your You should also include these exercischest out of exercise. So as you approach es in your chest workout: narrow-grip the bench, pay attention to proper form bench press; wide-grip bench press; inwhen you do these exercises. clined bench press; alternating dumbHere are some steps to giving your bell press; dips; push ups; dumbbell chest a good workout. chest press on ball; and many more.

Take it slow. In particular, move slowMost physical training experts agree ly when lowering the weight, especially that using free weights is the best way to while doing presses. This way, you’re really make progress in improving your not as likely to injure your shoulder chest muscles. Not a lot of machines do joints. as good a job working chest muscles as Alternate wide and tight angles. Vary- a good old barbell and a pair of dumbing your grip on the weights will work bells. the chest muscles from different angles, If you have a press machine at your and make sure your arms aren’t doing gym, it’s OK to use it, however; you all the work. won’t harm yourself using some of the Stay in control. The real trick to ef- machines that mimic exercise like the fective chest-building is not quantity bench press. But don’t use them to the but quality. Lifting heavy weights all point of avoiding free weight work. The the time can cause you to cheat. So use free weights cause you to use more musa moderate weight and do more repeti- cles to balance and steady the weight tions instead. You’ll still get good resis- you’re holding than a machine would, tance from the weight, but the weight and that’s going to give you an extra will be light enough that you can control workout. it and do a slow rep. This is the key to But some machines are great to use, building up muscle. like the “pec-deck” machine. Basically, Put someone on the spot. As a safety you sit in it, placing your arms behind measure it’s always a good idea to have two padded, rotating arms. Slowly, D ec e mbe r 1 0 , 20 0 9 | is sue 1 43 | QS a lt L a k e | 4 5 f you ask male weight lifters to

you lift the weight and bring your arms together. This is an excellent exercise because it works the upper and inner pecs at the same time — kind of like dumbbell flies, only better.

If you need more help on chest exercises or any help with any of your fitness goals, you can find me, Laimis Your “Tough Love” Personal Trainer, at King Studio, 1400 Foot-

hill Dr. (above Stein Mart), call me at 801-815-7725 or e-mail me at laimis914@ gmail.com. My Web site is laimisenergy. com. Q

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Q Tales

The Perils of Petunia Pap-Smear

These businesses brought you this issue of QSaltLake.

Make sure to thank them with your patronage.

by Petunia Pap-Smear

T

he road to the hot tub is

fraught with danger and excitement.

This year, as I was stuffing my Thanksgiving turkey with my eyes closed and my nose pinched, I revoltingly thrust my arms inside the fowl’s backside up to my elbows and felt my way around in the cold, moist darkness for the gizzard.

I could not help but be reminded that this experience was not all that dissimilar to many a sexual encounter I may or many not have had. Only my hairdresser knows for sure. But just between us girls, I’ve stuck my hands — and tongue for that matter — into many a place that could be considered even more socially delicate.

Thus, I should have been able to take this most recent “cavity search” in stride. Perhaps the near-freezing temperature of the turkey’s hole made the difference between it being a pleasant adventure, like fisting a Muppet, and being a tragic and revolting slaughterhouse incident. It’s at times like this that I need to recite the Drag Queen Oath: “On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty to Christian Dior and to my jeweler, to never appear in public without makeup, to faithfully record Project Runway and compassionately fill any hole that needs stuffing.” Mind you, impeccable manners are a top priority whenever any hole is to be filled.

This brings to mind the time when my friend Tim and I visited Steam Works, a bathhouse in Berkley, Calif.

— a place rumored to be a fabulous des-

Puzzle Solutions

tination event of its own accord. Upon arriving at the entrance, to my astonishment, we had to stand in line, in the rain for 45 minutes to be able to enter.

It was just like waiting in the rope line for entrance to Studio 54, except our fellow queue members were all fellows of the hunky variety, and the rain water was transforming the line into a wet Tshirt contest. I felt assured that the guy right behind me should have won said contest, as he had a six-pack you could grate cheese on. On an infinitely more tragic note, I realized that the name Aqua Net is misleading. You would think that with “aqua” in the title, it would be waterproof, but alas, my hair was beginning to resemble a wet, ungroomed Pekingese.

After providing the handsome uniformed attendant with proper identification and cash of course, I passed through the vault-like front door. And just like when Dorothy and Toto moved from drab Kansas to Technicolor Oz, I had to click my heels together and say “There’s no place like homo” as my eyes beheld an endless parade of tanned and toned torsos, gift wrapped in blazingly white towels, and I exclaimed with great exuberance to Tim, “I don’t think we’re in Utah anymore!” I was like Alice in Wonderland as I quickly abandoned Tim and ran off to explore all the dark mazes, glory holes, steam rooms and party-sized showers that had hitherto been only wanton images in my dreams. By God, there was even a fountain that dispensed mouthwash!

As I was being carried away with

Cryptogram: Being lectured about what constitutes a traditional marriage by a Mormon is a bit like being scolded for loitering by a crack whore.

Anagram: Rufus Wainwright

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A Tale of Bathhouse Blues

2 5 4 8 9 3 6 1 7

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all the magic of the night, I couldn’t believe my luck as I was literally carried away by a most beautiful, tall, dark and mysterious Adonis who apparently had a penchant for “pudgy” (watch it) queens. Thank God, there is someone for everyone. To my amazement, I had discovered the ever-elusive “chubby chaser,” who is even rarer than the mythical unicorn. He tenderly led me back to his room, and I reveled in breathless ecstasy as he began to explore my entire body with his tongue. To my surprise, he was drawn to my “back door” and was proceeding to give it a first class examination as I writhed in pleasure. After several minutes of this intense delight, I was just about to begin singing, “I Could Have Danced All Night” when suddenly I experienced a sharp pain as his teeth clenched upon my “back door.”

“What the Hell?” I thought, as I looked around to investigate. He did not have obvious beaver teeth, so I let the moment pass and I returned to blissful enjoyment. But then a minute later, even more extreme pain as what felt like a walrus tusk tried to make a piercing.

The thrill was gone! Miss Manners had not trained me how to handle this exact type of situation in a ladylike way. So acting just like an angry Miss Piggy, it was time for this queen to take charge again. I firmly reached around, while trying not to snap his spine, grabbed his hair and said, “No!” I quickly excused myself and went to find Tim. When I did, I exclaimed, “He bit my sphincter! He bit my sphincter!!!” Tim, always a voice of reason during a crisis situation, calmed me down. Enough so, that I was able to find tender loving consolation in the arms of a cute Japanese boy in the hot tub.

Isn’t rebound sex just the best? Hereto and henceforth, in the annals of recorded history, this guy shall forever be referred to as “Sphincter Biter Man.” Like always these events leave us with many eternal questions: 1. Did the Adonis require a severe beaver-toothed overbite to make that reach?

2. Is there a fetish for biting sphincters?

3. How does one, in good manners, remove teeth from your sphincter?

4. Is there such a thing as waterproof hair spray?

5 Would Miss Piggy have let him bite her?

6. Will I ever find another chubby chaser?

7. What type of jewelry does one wear in a pierced sphincter?

These and other important questions to be answered in future chapters of “The Perils of Petunia Pap-Smear.” Q

D ec e mbe r 1 0 , 20 0 9 | is sue 1 43 | QS a lt L a k e | 4 7

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