QSaltLake April 14, 2011

Utah’s News & Entertainment Magazine for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community | FREE

salt lake Issue 178 April 14, 2011

LDS and GAY

Transgender License Brouhaha

Queer Prom and Youth Summit

Lily Tomlin risks onstage

Sweet Sugarland

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A pril 1 4 , 2011 | issue 17 8 | QSa lt L a k e | 3

First Person

Q staff

first person I was a religious minority

publisher Michael Aaron editor Seth Bracken arts & entertainment editor Tony Hobday

graphic designer Christian Allred contributors Chris Azzopardi, Lynn

by Michael Aaron

I

grew up in the thriving metropolis of Sunset, Utah.

It is two miles long and a half-mile wide and, at the time, had a population of about 8,000 people. Yes, it is in Davis County and, yes, it is made up mostly of Mormons, but my immediate neighborhood was a bit of a microcosm inside a micro-city. You see, Sunset is a stone’s throw from the West Gate of Hill Air Force Base. The population was slightly more diverse than, say, a Sandy or Orem neighborhood. We actually had two black kids in my class. My next door neighbors (and many in the neighborhood) were Mexican. Most of my friends were Japanese. And most people within a block of me were transplants from other states.

That also means that most people within a block of our house were of faiths other than LDS. The Mexicans were typically Catholic. The Japanese were all Buddhist. My neighbors on the east side seemed to have a religion of loading up their 24-foot boat on a Sunday and heading for the lake.

Me? We called ourselves Easter-Christmas Catholics. My grandmother was a faithful Catholic from upstate New York.

She met my grandfather on his mission there and moved out here to be with him.

He immediately took up golf, poker and whiskey as Sunday rituals. I guess my grandmother made a big sacrifice to come out here, so he made a big sacrifice as well.

On my father’s side of the family, my grandfather slammed the door on whoever’s job it was to go door-to-door and collect late tithing. He’d been laid off from the railroad and the so-and-so (my grandfather used a more colorful word) had the nerve (again ... more colorful) to ask if he was getting a severance or unemployment. He never darkened the door of a ward house ever again.

My parents offered, when I was 11 or so, to drive me to any church I might want to go, should I ever decide to.

I’m sure they breathed a sigh of relief that I didn’t bother their Sunday morning sleep-ins with such a request.

But, as many Utah natives know, the Mormon Church still has ways to make themselves known in your life.

When I was 8 or so, I began going to Cub Scouts. I was so proud, I wore my uniform to school each Wednesday since I went right to the local ward house to be taught to whittle and start fires by clanging two rocks together.

Well, that and the Articles of Faith. Yes, I got the vinyl wall sash which I attached the little glass buttons to as I memorized each article.

I excitedly ran home after receiving my eighth button and told my mother I had as many Cub Scout “badges” as I was in years. I blurted out what I’d successfully memorized.

“We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.” My mother’s face first drained, then went flush.

“This is what they are teaching you in Cub Scouts?”

4 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 17 8 | A pril 1 4 , 2011

“Yup!” I exclaimed.

She immediately ran to the phone and called the scoutmaster, rushing me outside.

I’m not sure what she said, but apparently a compromise was made. We would learn basket-weaving and boondoggling on alternate Wednesdays and Articles of Faith and the like on the others.

As I grew older, I continued on to Webelos, where I had a very granola female scoutmaster who never uttered anything remotely religious, and then to Boy Scouts. It was there, in my teens, that I found out the level of control the Church had over my fellow scouts’ lives. I, however, was simply a bystander to the “moral lessons” they gave. While I could bring a six-pack of Coca-Cola to camp, I saw more than one Dr. Pepper poured out onto the pavement. I think my mother’s rant those many years before scared them away from trying to force their beliefs on me.

But my scoutmaster wasn’t the one who was giving these “moral lessons.”

He was the one who joked about how we probably spelled “masturbation” with an “e.” He was sensible. And moral. I probably learned some of my greatest moral lessons from him, though they were likely not what was being talked about at the pulpit of his church on a Sunday.

He taught me about drugs — how to recognize them by sight and smell — and what I could say if someone offered them to me. Yes, he brought something to the church and burned it so we could smell it. He claimed it was an herb that smelled just like marijuana, but I’m guessing it was the real McCoy. He also taught me the value of every human being.

We were driving out West to ride horses (yes, he taught me how to ride a horse), and one of the other scouts in the car said something snide about the migrant workers pulling onions. He slammed on the brakes so hard I thought something had darted out into the road. His face was red and his mouth taut.

“Those people out there work harder every day than you ever will,” he said. “They do the kind of work you would never in a hundred years do yourself. They value their families more than themselves. They deserve your respect and they deserve dignity.”

He then had us march out onto the onion field and shake the workers’ hands. None could speak to the other, but everyone knew what was going on.

I will never forget that day.

So, yes, though I was not a member of their Church, I was still the beneficiary of at least one Mormon man’s moral teachings.

I feel lucky that I missed out on some of the “teachings” that others in my community had to suffer through.

But I would never want to change my days in the ­Sunset First Ward meeting rooms. Q

We called ourselves EasterChristmas Catholics

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A pril 1 4 , 2011 | issue 17 8 | QSa lt L a k e | 5

national news

Quips & Quotes

by Rex Wockner

Prop 8: Back to the ballot in 2012?

Equality California on April 4 launched a campaign to gauge community support for heading back to the ballot in 2012 to try to undo Proposition 8.

Approved by voters in November 2008, Prop 8 amended the state constitution to reban same-sex marriage, which had been legal for 4½ months.

EQCA said the ongoing federal lawsuit against Prop 8 “could take years to resolve” and so it wants to know what the “community” wants to do.

In a case brought by the American Foundation for Equal Rights, represented by famous attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies, a federal district court struck down Prop 8 last summer and issued an injunction barring its further enforcement.

However, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals suspended the injunction, and the people who had put Prop 8 on the ballot appealed District Judge Vaughn Walker’s decision.

Then a new question emerged: whether ballot-measure sponsors have legal “standing” to appeal a federal court’s strikedown of a state ballot measure. None of the people who were sued in the case -- including California’s previous and current governors and attorneys general -- had or has any interest in defending Prop 8. They consider it to be unconstitutional.

The 9th Circuit eventually decided it was unwilling to answer the “standing” question on its own and, in February, officially queried the California Supreme Court on whether ballot-measure proponents have any right under state law to defend their measures when they are struck down.

That’s where the case stands now. The California Supreme Court has said it will not hear oral arguments on the question sent to it by the 9th Circuit until September at the soonest.

“Because legal experts are advising that the Proposition 8 federal challenge could take years to resolve, Equality California is launching a community engagement initiative to start a discussion on whether to return to the ballot in 2012 to repeal the marriage ban or whether to wait for a final decision by the courts,” the group said. “Before making any recommendation, Equality California will survey its membership, hold 10 town halls across the state and an online town hall, conduct a poll of likely 2012 voters, consult with political experts, coalition partners and engage with its members and the LGBT community. Equality California will announce results of polling and analysis

by Labor Day.” EQCA Interim Executive Director Jim Carroll said: “We were truly optimistic that the court case to overturn Prop 8 would restore marriage equality by the end of 2010 or early this year, making a ballot measure unnecessary. Despite the amazing work of the

❝❝

Anti-gay activist Louis J. Marinelli, who recently stepped down as the National Organization For Marriage’s tour organizer and social media expert, had “spent the last five years putting all of [his] political will, interest and energy into fighting against the spread of same-sex marriage as if it were a contagious disease.” But now Marinelli recants those words on his website with the following: “Whether it is an issue of disbelief, shame or embarrassment, the one thing that is for sure is that I have come to this point after several months of an internal conflict with myself. That conflict gradually tore away at me until recently when I was able to for the first time simply admit to myself that I do in fact support civil marriage equality.” dedicated lawyers leading this effort, there is no guarantee how or when the courts will ultimately rule. As a community, we will figure out together whether we wait until the courts rule or whether we repeal Prop 8 at the ballot box.”

“The courts ... are passing the case back and forth to different courts and refusing to allow same-sex couples to marry as they delay acting on our rights,” he said.

Town hall meetings are scheduled for May 19 in San Francisco, May 25 in West Hollywood and June 2 in San Diego.

Equality California was harshly criticized over its leadership role in the costly 2008 campaign that failed to stop Prop 8 at the ballot box. The new effort to consult with the community about a possible 2012 campaign was launched just four days after then-EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors stepped down from the job he had held since 2002.

Although numerous organizations and activists were involved in running the failed No on 8 campaign, EQCA and Kors, in particular, bore the brunt of LGBT community anger over the loss. In an interview April 4, Kors said the timing of his departure from EQCA was a matter of his partner’s decision to retire from his job at this time. He also said he wanted the new EQCA executive director, who has yet to be selected, “to have enough time in the position prior to the 2012 election cycle, as redistricting and potential ballot measures will impact LGBT rights.”

Critics of the 2008 campaign said it failed to engage key voting blocs, including people of color, didn’t have enough door-to-door contact with voters, turned over too much power to outside consultants and big donors, and produced TV ads that were disastrously awful.

Notably, however, a year later when Maine activists mounted a major campaign to prevent voter revocation of same-sex mar-

6 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 17 8 | A pril 1 4 , 2011

riage rights there, the Maine activists corrected for many of the California activists’ perceived errors — and lost nonetheless, by a slightly larger margin.

At a January 2009 meeting in Los Angeles, Kors acknowledged some of the No on 8 campaign’s mistakes.

He said: “When I look at what was the biggest mistake, when I lie awake at night prepping my e-mails I’m going to send to all of you and I think about the biggest mistake that we made, it’s that we’ve turned everything over to political experts and political consultants.

And I would never ever do that again. You know, when we started Equality California, everyone was, like, ‘Hire professional lobbyists to go lobby on LGBT issues,’ and I was, like: ‘You gotta be kidding. We’re going to do our own lobbying because it’s about our lives and we know what we’re talking about and we know how to do this.’ One thing, you know, that I would never do again ... we should have been in the strategy room and part of those (consultants’) conversations, and that was a huge mistake.”

Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center CEO Lorri Jean, another key member of the No on 8 leadership team, was similarly forthcoming at the 2009 meeting.

“How could we have realized earlier that professional, high-paid consultants were not delivering product?” Jean asked. “I’m trying to say this and not be too provocative, since we have so many professional political campaign consultants in the room. But, you know, there is an approach that people who are professionals use to do this. And I think one of our challenges as a community, given that issues of relevance to our community are different than anything else that goes on the ballot because of the emotion and the other things that are associated with them, we have got to find a completely different way than business as usual to do this work.”

In light of the ongoing and ever-threatening phenomenon of bullying and the tragic result of suicides, it seems to me that better informed students might be more welcoming in their approach to differences among their classmates.”

— Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, the sponsor of a bill that would require California schools to teach the history of the gay rights movement along with the other civil rights movement sections

❝❝

We ask the Department of Homeland Security to hold marriage-based immigration petitions in abeyance pending a legislative repeal or a final determination on DOMA litigation.”

— A letter from 12 U.S. Senators asking the DOH to halt exportations of bi-national same-sex couples

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Isn’t love universal? Isn’t that the point? That you can watch a straight couple in love or a lesbian couple in love and what you see and feel is the love?”

— Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes on Twitter defending against critics of a gay love story on the hit series

❝❝

I don’t think it’s relevant. I never thought it was appropriate to recuse myself from that case.”

— Former Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker, the federal judge who struck down Proposition 8 admitting to reporters that he is gay

❝❝

They can say what they want about it, but ... how about if you say I don’t care? Who is to judge you when there’s an audience that’s probably one of the strongest audiences — if you look at Lady Gaga’s career — that says that that’s fine?”

— 50 Cent defending DJ Cee and the gay community after Cee was caught having sex with a man in public

Another gay rights battle for California Activists who oppose gay rights are more riled up than usual about a bill working its way through the California Legislature, says Equality California, which has shepherded 76 pro-LGBT measures through the Legislature and seen 42 of them signed into law. (Twenty other measures were resolutions that didn’t need the governor’s signature. Fourteen of the group’s bills were vetoed.)

SB 48, “The Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful (FAIR) Education Act,” would amend the Education Code to require that schools provide “a study of the role and contributions of both men and women, Native Americans, African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, European Americans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans, persons with disabilities, and members of other ethnic and cultural groups, to the economic, political, and social development of California and the United States of America, with particular emphasis on portraying the role of these groups in contemporary society.”

It also would prohibit classroom instruction and school-sponsored activities that “promote ... a discriminatory bias on the basis of race or ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, nationality, (or) sexual orientation.”

The bill requires that social-sciences textbooks and other social-sciences instructional material used in California adhere to the proposed law’s requirements.

Sponsored by Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, the measure passed the Senate Education Committee 6–3 in late March and passed the Senate Judiciary Committee 3–2 on April 5.

“It is one of our priority bills and I believe it will pass (the full Legislature),” said EQCA Interim Executive Director Jim Carroll. “The EQCA-PAC’s policy of only endorsing candidates who are 100-percent on our issues, including education, has resulted in enough legislators who will support this bill to get it to Gov. (Jerry) Brown’s desk. And the governor’s preference for local control is met in the bill’s language, so I think he’ll sign it.”

Carroll said that should the bill pass, he wouldn’t be surprised to see opponents attempt to repeal it at the ballot box. In 2008, such activists repealed same-sex marriage in California by convincing voters to amend the state constitution.

“I assume that some leaders of the more fundamentalist segments of our society will try to use SB 48 and any bill that tries to protect youth to raise money and drum up support for their sad position,” he said. “They tried in 2008 to gather signatures to overturn another Equality California-sponsored education bill ... and failed miserably. I assume they might try to qualify for the ballot again around SB 48 or even try to reverse all our safe-schools protections.”

Recently retired EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors was present at the Senate

Education Committee session on March 23 as SB 48 passed.

“There were two things that were particularly disturbing,” Kors said in an interview. “Years ago the rhetoric was pretty offensive, and then it toned down, but this time the rhetoric really ratcheted up. (Activists speaking against the bill) said that if we teach about LGBT people in schools, then we will be able to win any campaign.

In other words, if people learn the truth, then the gays win and the haters lose. They said we wanted to teach kids how to cut off their body parts, and they talked about how this is sexual indoctrination, that we want to sexualize young people into this terrible life.”

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Arkansas law banning gay couples from adopting struck down The Arkansas Supreme Court struck down a state law barring same-sex couples from adopting. The opinion was unanimous and said that the law violated individuals’ right to privacy. Supporters of the law have promised to fight the ruling.

Arkansas voters approved the ballot measure that prohibits unmarried, romantic couples who live together from adopting children in 2008. Utah has a very similar law on the books, despite recent efforts to repeal the law last legislative session.

“Act 1 directly and substantially burdens the privacy rights of ‘opposite-sex and same-sex individuals’ who engage in private, consensual sexual conduct in the bedroom by foreclosing their eligibility to foster or adopt children, should they choose to cohabit with their sexual partner,” the court ruled in an opinion.

This leaves only Mississippi with an explicit ban on unmarried, co-habitating couples from adopting. This could lend even more support for legal action against the law, said Will Carlson, an attorney of law and a former employee of Equality Utah.

“The Arkansas law was basically a Xerox of Utah’s,” Carlson said. “And there’s no telling exactly how a (Utah) court would rule, but it does leave an opening.”

There are no current legal challenges to the second-parent adoption law in Utah, but this does lend more credibility to striking down the law, he said. The ruling said it is an invasion of privacy to say that a romantic couple cannot adopt children, where a single person could.

“The ruling said it’s not the government’s business what happens in the bedroom,” Carlson said.

The Utah law does not specifically target gay people, unlike the Mississippi law which singles out queer people. But the law says only couples that are married can adopt, and since gay people cannot get married, it bars gay couples from adopting.

Last session, a bill was introduced to allow for second-parent adoptions but it never made it to the full Senate floor.

A pril 1 4 , 2011 | issue 17 8 | QSa lt L a k e | 7

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LOC AL NEWS

Driver’s License Division incident causes brouhaha, TEA directors resign

By Seth Bracken

A transgender woman said she was stared and laughed at by employees of the Utah Driver’s License Division and she was asked to remove her makeup while trying to renew her driver’s license last month.

After reviewing surveillance tapes, the directors of Transgender Education Advocates of Utah issued a press release saying the DLD generally followed procedure.

Some members of the gay and transgender community took objection to their statements and started a Facebook group calling for their resignation. The directors, Christopher and Teinamarrie Scuderi, resigned and apologized for comments they made that may have been viewed as nonsupportive in a press release.

The transgender woman involved in the incident, Regina Audette, said she was asked to remove her makeup by a DLD supervisor before taking the photo for her license.

“They told me that no person shall interfere with hiding their identity,” Audette said.

Audette told QSaltLake that she was not trying to change her gender marker that indicates she is male. She said she wanted

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only to renew her license and she knew that she was not following the procedures to change the marker. She said she knew before going to the DLD she was not allowed to hide her identity with makeup for a government-issued identification.

Audette said a woman began arguing with the supervisor after overhearing the DLD officials request that she remove her makeup. After the argument became heated, the supervisor said that Audette was a man, not a woman and that she must remove her makeup to have a photo identification match her gender on her driver’s license, Audette said.

A story about the event first appeared in the blog, PrideInUtah.com. However, this story was published before TEA of Utah representatives had a chance to view the surveillance tapes of the event or speak with other DLD and state officials, Christopher said.

After appearing in the blog, local media picked up the story, as did some national media outlets. The Utah Pride Center issued a press release calling for more education of government employees concerning transgender rights.

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The directors of TEA contacted the DLD and asked to review surveillance tapes as soon as they heard about the event, Scuderi said. After viewing the tapes and speaking with officials, they told the press that the DLD followed procedures from what they could see on the tapes, but there was no audio.

The supervisor of the DLD was cited, reprimanded and is required to undergo training for a comment he made, Christopher said. The supervisor also apologized and said that he should not have said what he did when he referred to Audette as a man, and not a woman, Scuderi said. Audette said she had a personal meeting with the state officials where she was allowed to see the video footage. She said that the state officials apologized and said no matter what happened they were sorry she felt she was not treated fairly.

Still, some members of the gay and transgender community took objection to the statements made by the directors of TEA of Utah supporting the DLD, and a Facebook group calling for their resignations gained more than 100 members.

The directors of TEA stepped down and apologized for any harm they might have done with their statements last week.

“It is never our intention to re-victimize a member of the transgender community and we recognize how our statements may have been viewed as non-supportive. For that, we are deeply sorry,” the press release read.

Christopher and Teinamarrie started TEA of Utah in 2003 and have served as the directors and helped the group grow. Under their guidance, TEA of Utah served as an education and advocacy group for Fortune 500 companies, individual families and even governmental agencies such as the Unified Police Department.

Connie Anast, Board treasurer, has been named Interim Director of TEA of Utah. Q

Steps to change gender markers How to obtain an amended birth certificate To obtain an amended birth certificate, submit to the Utah Department of Health a letter from a licensed doctor who has treated the patient for gender-related care or has reviewed the gender-related medical history.

How to obtain a passport with a gender change To obtain an amended passport a letter from a licensed physician who is familiar with the applicant’s transition-related treatment must be submitted. The letter must include whether or not treatment has begun. This letter can be substituted with an amended birth certificate.

If treatment has not begun, a two-year passport will be issued until the applicant’s treatment has been started. The type of treatment, whether it’s hormone therapy or surgery, does not need to be shared. The doctor must only include whether or not treatment has begun.

How to change a gender marker on a driver’s license An original or certified copy of an identity document or an amended certified copy of an identity document that specifies gender must be taken when renewing a driver’s license. This can be a birth certificate or passport.

If applicants have problems changing gender markers or for more information about how to follow the correct procedures, go to TEAofUtah.org. There are ways to contact the director who can file formal complaints if there are any issues with a DLD or any other governmental office.

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and attacked him. Both have been charged with misdemeanor domestic assault.

Man in prison for seeking wife’s murder tries again to kill her A Michigan man in prison for trying to have his wife killed was caught arranging her murder for a second time. David Albers, 54, is serving nine to 30 years for a 2009 conviction. He said he was in prison when a friend told him he could find someone to kill his wife. The hit man turned out to be a state trooper.

The Q Business Alliance is open to all gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and ally business owners to join us for networking, socializing, community organizing and charitable contributions to Utah’s LGBT community. Corporations, small businesses, sole proprietors and independent agents are welcome to join, regardless of sexual orientation.

T H E

B E N E F I T S

Monthly Business Breakfasts

Each third Friday of the month, a themed breakfast will be held at various restaurants in the Greater Wasatch Front with guest speakers and the ability to introduce your business and hand out company literature to other owners and professionals

O F

J O I N I N G :

Monthly After-Work Socials

Meet and mingle with other entrepreneurs and professionals, as well as QSaltLake readers, at different businesses in the valley

Service Guide Ads

Expose your business to thousands of QSaltLake readers with a listing or display ad in the Service Guide on the first Friday of each month.

QSaltLake.com/QBA for more info and an online application to join.

Online Exposure through QSaltLake.com QSaltLake readers turn to our web site for help finding services in the community.

They can be referred to your web site in a click of a button.

Member Newsletter Promote your business, introduce new products and announce upcoming events to other Alliance members

Swag Bags Place marketing materials or samples in highly-sought “swag� bags or at tables at large community events through the year More We will be announcing more opportunities for members as the Alliance grows

A pril 1 4 , 2011  |  issue 17 8  |  QSa lt L a k e | 9

LOC AL NEWS

Qmmunity

Packer says homosexuality second only to murder, denial of Holy Ghost

LGBT equality debate The University of Utah debate team will host a public debate over non-discrimination ordinances that protect against sexual orientation and gender identity bias in the workplace and in housing. The event will feature members from the Utah Eagle Forum, Equality Utah and the High Road for Human Rights. The event is open and free to the public.

WHEN: April 19, 7–9:30 p.m.

WHERE: Carolyn Tanner Irish Humanities Auditorium on the University of Utah campus INFO: Debate.Utah.edu

By Michael Aaron

In his Saturday speech at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ General Conference, President Boyd K. Packer said that sex, other than that between a married man and a woman, is among the most serious of all transgressions.

In his talk, he went through what the Mormon Church calls the “word of wisdom,” a set of health-related rules that members must live by, including the eschewing of coffee, tea and liquor.

“In another revelation, the Lord’s standard of morality commands that the sacred powers to beget life be protected and employed only between man and woman, husband and wife.

To misuse this power is exceeded in seriousness only by the shedding of innocent blood and denying the Holy Ghost,” Packer said.

“Everyone is tested,” he continued. “One might think it is unfair to be singled out and subjected to a particular temptation, but this is the purpose of mortal life — to be tested.

And the answer is the same for everyone: we must, and we can, resist temptations of any kind. The great plan of happiness centers on family life. The husband is the head of the home and the wife the heart of the home.”

The speech is among many given by Packer over the years where homosexuality is mentioned in a negative light.

Last October, the online text of Packer’s speech was edited after his words sparked controversy when he said that sexuality is changeable and that a loving heavenly father would not create people to be gay. His speech was in stark contrast to recent Mor-

Brats, beer and blues

mon Church statements that people that are attracted to the same gender must simply choose not to act on their feelings.

“Some suppose that they were preset and cannot overcome what they feel are inborn tendencies toward the impure and unnatural. Not so! Why would our Heavenly Father do that to anyone? Remember, God is our Heavenly Father,” Packer said in the October conference.

His remarks were made after a string of youth suicides in Utah and throughout the nation. Many gay activists saw his remarks as distasteful and dangerous and it drew national attention.

A protest that drew an estimated 4,500 people was organized surrounding the Salt Lake City Temple Square. Protestors surrounded the square in a silent protest to remind the Church leadership of the young lives lost to suicide.

Replacement selected for Buttars’ seat South Jordan Republican delegates were quick to choose the replacement for outgoing Sen. Chris Buttars.

The delegates selected South Jordan businessman Aaron Osmond after only two rounds of voting.

Buttars, who repeatedly placed himself in the limelight for his antigay and racial remarks, announced Aaron Osmond his retirement at

the end of the last legislative session. Buttars served in the Senate for 10 years, just the amount of time required for him to receive health coverage from the state for the rest of his life. He has suffered from a variety of ailments, including diabetes.

Buttars was at the vote and he had earlier announced his support for his daughter, Christie Buttars Giles, who promised to keep the same governance and leadership style of her father. However, she did not make it far in the vote.

Aaron Osmond is the nephew of Donny Osmond. He has run for South Jordan mayor in the past and he is the CEO of Real Estate Investors Education.

10 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 17 8 | A pril 1 4 , 2011

“We are who we are,” protest organizer, Eric Ethington said. “We cannot change, and you cannot change us. The more you say this, the more dead bodies you leave behind.”

An online petition was circulated by the Human Rights Commission. After gathering more than 150,000 signatures, it was handdelivered by the president of the HRC, the president of Affirmation, David Melson, and gay-rights activist Bruce Bastian to LDS Church representatives.

“Among the 12 (Apostles) there are some that would like to see gays and lesbians welcomed into full fellowship, but Packer is not one of them,” Melson said.

Since delivering the petition, Melson said he is contacted regularly by members of the Church leadership expressing a desire to work with the gay members. He said the general authorities he has spoken with oppose Packer’s views.

“There’s almost a uniform opinion among the general authorities that full acceptance is going to happen,” Melson said. “I’m encouraged, but the Church does not move quickly on these things.”

Packer has had a storied past concerning his denouncement of gay people from the Mormon Church. In 1976 he gave a speech denouncing homosexuals that was later turned into a pamphlet called To Young Men Only. In the speech he said that being gay is a choice and that there are some that might try to tempt and encourage other young men to have gay sex. He tells a story of a young man beating a young gay man and says it is not always the solution, but violence could be considered against gay people.

This pamphlet is still in use by the Mormon Church today. Q

The Crossroads Urban Center is hosting an event titled, “Brats, Beers and Blues” to help raise money for food, diapers, infant formula and medicine to those in need.

WHEN: May 1, 1–5 p.m.

WHERE: Crossroads Food Co-op, 1756 S. 700 West, Salt Lake City COST: $45 INFO: Crossroads-u-c.org

Holocaust commemoration day Holocaust Remembrance Day is for remembering the victims of the Holocaust through prayer, music, literary readings and a candle memorial. Gov. Gary Herbert will deliver a proclamation and the program will include a variety of guest speakers to tell the stories of some of the Holocaust heroes.

WHEN: May 1, 2–3 p.m.

WHERE: Utah State Capitol, 350 N. State St., Salt Lake City INFO: ShalomUtah.org

sWerve Bees game & picnic The root, root, root for the home team and picnic event is open for the ladies of sWerve. The sWerve group is for queer, lesbian, bisexual and transgender women to socialize and raise funds for the community.

The picnic is a pre-pay event only.

WHEN: April 23, 5–9:30 p.m.

WHERE: Spring Mobile Ballpark, 77 W. 1300 South, Salt Lake City COST: $20 for dinner and game INFO: SwerveUtah.com

Queer youth summit attracts a statewide audience After growing from nine queer-straight alliances in Utah high schools, to almost 30 in a single year, there is serious momentum for gay youth in Utah, said Eric-Preston Hamren, the state advisor for the Utah QSA network. In order to help the growth continue, strengthen the groups that have already started and encourage other youth that don’t have access to the programs, the Utah Pride Center is sponsoring a Youth Empowerment Summit for all gay and allied youth on April 16.

The summit is themed “Infinite Potential” and is designed to help youth, whether or not they are in a QSA, learn how to become leaders in their communities. There will be classes, breakout sessions and a keynote speech from Sister Dottie Dixon, a local activist and drag-character performer.

Presenters include the ACLU of Utah and college QSA groups.

This summit and other gay-youth oriented activities led the Utah Pride Center to dub April “Queer Youth Month.” Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth face higher instances of suicide, homelessness and are more likely to get bullied than their straight counterparts, said Jude McNeil, the Utah Pride Center’s youth program di-

rector, in a statement.

“Queer Youth Month aims to bring visibility and voice to youth who are too often silenced,” McNeil said.

As the clubs grow, especially in rural parts of Utah, it is becoming more and more difficult to stay connected, and that’s why the summit is going to be so helpful, Hamren said. And those areas are some of the most problematic areas. Georgie Zamantakis, a junior at Carbon High School said he is excited for the summit so he can learn how to help in the community and help other gay kids feel accepted. He helped start the QSA at his high school and is now the co-president.

“It’s definitely tough. Some of our teachers still refer to it as a cult,” Zamantakis said. “When the announcements are made over the intercom, people always yell out ‘fag,’ ‘queer’ and say other stupid things.”

Zamantakis said he is more excited for the summit than the Queer Prom because he wants to learn how to help usher equality and fair treatment in his high school.

“Things aren’t really getting better at my school right now,” Zamantakis said.

“There’s no physical bullying of gay people here. But there’s a lot of verbal bullying.

People say stupid things.”

The summit is perfectly timed to help schools, like Carbon High School, considering all the recent growth in the QSA network, Hamren said.

The growth started happening and the Pride Center became a resource, but there was a spark for a statewide QSA network and the Center helped fill that need, Hamren said.

“The youth in St. George was a big part of the growth,” Hamren said. “Students started to realize that it can actually happen, that the QSAs can really make ground.”

The QSA networks in schools are a vital part for all gay youth, whether or not they actually join the organization, Hamren said.

“Just knowing the organization is there will help kids. Just knowing that they are accepted by some people will help them,” he said.

Helping foster the growth and strength of QSAs in Utah should be a high priority, said Karl Gerner, the president elect of Westminster’s Alphabet Soup, the campus QSA. “The amount of adversity gay kids have to face in Utah is astounding,” said Gerner. “(QSAs) are a perfect opportunity for kids to make friends and feel accepted in school, even if they don’t ever join the group. Just knowing it’s there is helping so many kids.”

The Alphabet Soup group is helping host,

sponsor and attend the event. The group will have a float in the Pride Parade for the first time this year and will use a break-out session to gather ideas for their float.

The YES event is organized and sponsored by an all-volunteer staff and donations are accepted for the event on UtahPrideCenter.org.

YES will be held at Westminster College on April 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Registration is $10 and it includes a ticket to Queer Prom and breakfast and lunch sponsored by Whole Foods. All youth age 14-25 are invited to register and attend. Registration can be found at UtahPrideCenter.org.

Or attendees can register in person at the Utah Pride Center on 355 N. 300 West.

Queer Prom: This event attracts more than 700 queer and allied youth and includes refreshments, information booths and, of course, dancing. The dance is April 16 from 8 p.m. until midnight and tickets can be purchased at the door for $10 or in advance for $5.

Day of Silence: On April 15, youth take a vow of silence to call attention to the silencing of bullying and discriminating against LGBT youth. The silence will be broken at an event at the Utah Pride Center from 4-7 p.m. where stories will be shared about personal experiences during the day.

The Big, Big, Event: Following the breaking of silence, the youth will host a talent show and elect Queer Prom monarchs. Q

FOR LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER, AND ALLY YOUTH AGES 14-20

When: Saturday, April 16 from 8P - midnight Where: SLC Library (210 E 400 S) Cost: $10 at the door

When: Saturday, April 16 8:30A-5:30P Where: Westminster’s School of Business (1840 S 1300 E) Cost: $10 (which includes a resource packet, a bag, a notebook, and a ticket to Queer Prom!

Queer Prom and the Youth Empowerment Summit are programs of the Utah Pride Center THANK YOU TO THE GENEROUS SPONSORS WHO MADE THESE EVENTS POSSIBLE

First Unitarian Church Ray Behle

LOC AL NEWS

Utah Pride Center expands free HIV testing

Gay day at the zoo The fourth annual Gay Day at the Zoo will be May 14 and attendance is expected to be higher than ever. The event is organized by the Gay Escape, a safe and social environment for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

“The event is for everybody,” said Dan Nichols, the Gay Escape vice president. “We do an activity every month and we wanted to have one that was really family-friendly that everybody can enjoy. This isn’t just for gay men. It’s for friends, allies and family.”

The group will have members at the zoo all day, but it officially starts at 1 p.m. and a group photo will be taken near the entrance at 3 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear red so that everyone can recognize who is

involved with the event.

The Gay Escape started in 2004 in Provo as a way for gay men to “escape” from the BYU culture, said Nichols.

“We do monthly activities and try to provide a safe place to socialize and meet friends in an area that doesn’t involve drugs or drinking,” Nichols said. “We also like to help people that might be struggling with religious issues and being gay. We want everyone to feel comfortable at our activities.”

For more information about the Gay Day at the Zoo, go the Gay Escape page on Facebook. Entrance to the zoo is $9 for adults and $7 for children. But for groups of 20 or more, a dollar is taken off each admission.

The Utah Pride Center is now offering free HIV testing on the first and third Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. This program will be in addition to the free testings already offered on the second and fourth Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m.

The extra tests are being added because of a grant from the Utah Department of Health.

“This is a monumental step not only for the Utah Pride Center, but for the community at large because there will now be an agency offering free, confidential HIV tests on weekends in the Salt Lake Valley,” said Lily Rodriguez in a press release, Utah Pride Center HIV prevention and education coordinator. “Expanding our testing to accommodate a growing number of community members who use our services is a dream come true. We are proud to be here when our community needs us most.”

The Utah Pride Center HIV Prevention Team hopes to soon include free testing for other sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.

In addition to the Pride Center testing, the Utah AIDS Foundation recently anounced that their Rapid HIV testing is now free every Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., by appointment. The UAF also offers other tests for different sexually transmitted diseases including gonorrhea, Chlamydia and syphilis.

UAF is participating in the national Get Yourself Tested month of April and offering free HIV and genital chlamydia/gonorrhea testing.

Testing is recommended for anyone who has had unprotected anal, vaginal, or oral sex with someone who has had other partners, or has shared needles to inject drugs or had sex with someone who has.

The Pride Center is located at 361 N. 300 West in Salt Lake City. The UAF is located at 1408 S. 1100 East in Salt Lake City. For a Thursday appointment at UAF, you can call 801-487-2323.

that are trying to enforce LDS living standards or the firing of employees for ineptitude, Balken said.

The Southern Utah University Student Association voted unanimously in March to urge the city council to pass the laws.

“The student body of Southern Utah University fully supports the adoption of antidiscrimination ordinances protecting residents against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity as proposed for Cedar City,” the resolution stated.

The ordinances were introduced by Councilwoman Georgia Beth Thompson, the only council member who supports the laws. At the end of the discussion, it was decided to

12 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 17 8 | A pril 1 4 , 2011

Thou shalt be a shining example D.C. Councilmember and former Mayor Marion Barry declared himself a “moral leader” at a rally against marriage equality in Washington D.C. Barry led the crowd in chants against marriage equality and gave a speech calling himself one of the city’s moral compasses. Barry has been married four times. He is an ex-convict and has been arrested on multiple drug charges and tax evasion cases. He has admitted that he was, at one time, addicted to crack.

Thou shalt treat others kindly A new poll among Mississippi Republicans going into the 2012 election found that 46 percent of GOP voters think that interracial marriage should be illegal. The poll asked 400 Republican primary voters their preferences for candidates for state and national offices. Only 40 percent said that it should be allowed and 14 percent said they were unsure.

Thou shalt eat right In the LDS Church the avoidance of coffee and alcohol is of the utmost importance. In the last LDS General Conference for all the members, there were more than five speeches that addressed the Mormon code of health dubbed, the Word of Wisdom. However, a study was recently released that said adults who attend religious services are 50 per-

Cedar City Council rejects anti-bias ordinances For the second time in six months, the city council in Cedar City rejected two anti-bias ordinances that would protect against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation in the workplace and in housing.

Last October the council adopted a resolution, which is less powerful and does not hold the same penalties as an ordinance. A large majority of people who experience discrimination are too afraid to report it, said Brandie Balken, executive director of Equality Utah.

There are 12 other Utah municipalities with similar laws. That experience shows that the ordinances do not affect landlords

not as I do

cent more likely to be overweight.

And the study found that Mormons are, on average, 4.6 pounds heavier than those of other religions.

Thou shalt not lie House Speaker John Boehner said he and House Republicans would defend DOMA, despite not knowing how much the defense would cost. This comes during a budget Cedar City Council Woman Georgia Beth Thompson leave the resolution in place and not return to vote on the ordinances.

fight that threatens to shut down the government because he wants more spending cuts across the board.

Celebrating equality in Southern Utah

By Seth Bracken

Hosting a dinner celebrating and honoring pioneers in gay rights is a tough sell in Utah. Hosting the dinner, and using it to raise funds for an LGBT awareness campaign in Southern Utah is even more difficult. With no gay bars, pride centers or other overtly visible signs of gay people, it’s easy for people to ignore the issue, said Linda Stay, who along with her husband, Steven Stay, is co-chairing the First Annual Equality Celebration Building Bridges in Southern Utah.

Chris McArdle and Claudia Bradshaw, who are receiving honorary awards for pioneering gay rights in Southern Utah

“We’ve become very well known for fighting against causes; fighting against encroachment on marriage equality, fighting against discrimination,” Steven said.

“But here’s an opportunity to celebrate. We can make the community more visible.”

Representatives from Equality Utah approached Linda and Steven to help plan and organize the event in November of last year. The funds raised from the event will go to help launch an education and advocacy program in Southern Utah, and all the funds will stay in that area.

The program will include a silent auction, live jazz music, a dinner and a keynote address from Winn Claybaugh, author and co-founder of Paul Mitchell Schools.

The event will also be presenting honorary awards to Claudia Bradshaw and Chris McArdle, two pioneers of gay rights in Southern Utah.

“We’re going to use this money and opportunity to help make the gay community more visible in Southern Utah,” Linda said. “There is such a strong and powerful community down here, but no one knows about it.

Everyone ignores it. No one wants to have to address the issue.”

Finding donors and sponsors has been extremely difficult because many people and businesses do not want to be associated with the celebration, Linda said.

“We deal with it every day. As soon as people find out what Equality Utah is, no one returns our phone calls or they simply say that their religion won’t allow them to support the dinner,” Linda said. “I think it’s so sad that people can’t do the thinking for themselves and be a part of a celebration for equality. Who opposes equality?”

Most people just want to ignore the fact that there are gay people in Southern Utah, said Benjamin King Smith, former president of the Queer-Straight Alliance at Southern Utah University. There are cases of discrimination every day, especially in the workplace, Smith said.

“I know of a lot of cases of discrimination,” Smith said. “Most cases are covert discrimination and there’s not a lot of people who are willing to stand up and say, ‘I’ve been discriminated against.’ And it’s not because it doesn’t happen.”

However, the attitude is changing and people are getting excited about the upcoming event, he said.

“There’s a lot of hope that wasn’t there a couple of years ago,” Smith said. “Equality Utah is doing good things and achieving things. It makes everyone think

A pril 1 4 , 2011 | issue 17 8 | QSa lt L a k e | 13

Linda and Steven Stay, co-chairs of the First Annual Equality Celebration Building Bridges in Southern Utah

things are getting better.”

And despite the many challenges, the planning committee and Equality Utah have been able to find sponsors and attendees to fill the space. There are 250 seats available and they are selling out quickly. The event is gaining attention and is already helping bring honest and open discussions about equality, Linda said.

While people who live in Southern Utah may not have all the access to the resources available in Salt Lake, there are great people and great progress happening, said Brandie Balken, executive director of Equality Utah.

“I see the growth in Southern Utah and it is all coming about because of fantastic people who are doing fantastic things,” Balken said.

However, there is still room to grow, Linda said.

“I still know people who are losing their jobs when they are outed at work. I know people who are afraid to tell their friends and families that they are gay. We have so much work to do, but the celebration is a great place to start.”

For more information and to buy tickets for the event, go to EqualityUtah.org. Q

LOC AL NEWS

fabulous people The Nova Starr story

By Seth Bracken

N

ova Starr is a creature. She was contrived by the mind of a drag genius. She has gone on to win two national drag pageants, Miss Gay International Pluss 2010 and most recently the Miss Gay United States at Large 2011.

Working with Nova is a wonderful experience, and in addition to being a fabulous person and entertainer, she has huge administrative talent and

secrets of salt lake Summum Pyramid God is a masturbator. Or so the Summum religion claims. The group, which started in 1970, believes that the universe was created after God reached an enormous climax while masturbating.

Claude “Corky” Rex Nowell, who later changed his name to Summum Bonum Amon Ra, said that he was visited by advanced beings called Summas. He used the teachings to write several books, including Summum: Sealed Except to the Open Mind and Sexual Ecstasy for Ancient Wisdom.

Ra was a Utah native and a former member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He contended that visitations by high beings were no more crazy than claiming that Joseph Smith was visited by two supreme beings in the woods.

Sex and sexuality are important parts of the Summum religion and it believes that true ecstasy can be achieved through the right sexual practices. And while the manual is written for heterosexual couples, many of the practices can be applied to gay couples.

One of the key tenants of the religion is the divine proportion, which is one reason the group built a pyramid for religious services and making products. In addition to sexual products such as lube and oil, wine is made in the pyramid. It was registered as an official winery in 1980.

Another of the key tenants of the religion is mummification. Many pets and other animals have been mummified, but only one human being has gone through the process, the group founder, Ra, who passed away in 2008. The mummification services are available to the public and participants do not have to belong to the faith.

The Summum Pyramid is located in downtown Salt Lake City, 707 Genesee Ave. For more information about the religion visit summum.us.

1 4 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 17 8 | A pril 1 4 , 2011

brings professionalism to the stage, said J.P. Gulla, the event coordinator for the Miss Gay United States Pageant.

“What an incredible individual,” Gulla said.

Nova is a competitor and one of the most famous divas in the nation, Gulla said.

“Nobody wants to see a skinny, little sweet thing come out on stage,” said John Griffin, the performer behind Nova Starr. “Nova is a loudmouth. Think Rosie O’Donnell in her early career.”

Nova depends on Griffin for life and creation, not the other way around, he explained.

“There’s a huge misconception out there that the drag persona is who I am; that’s simply not true. But Nova has taught me a lot of lessons I use in my adult life, and I’m not just talking about the many uses of duct tape,” Griffin said.

But Nova wasn’t just born out of nowhere, Griffin said.

“I started doing drag in a little coffee shop in Colorado when I was 14 years old,” Griffin said. “It was the only way for me to escape an unstable home life.”

Griffin said he always admired the fabulous queens and divas. Watching Joan Crawford flipping her feather boa around her neck, and other beautiful women, fascinated Griffin.

“It started as an escape, but it turned into an art form. It gave me something to look forward to. Being gay in Colorado was not cute,” Griffin said. “It was a healthy way of expressing who I was.”

Griffin went to Dad’s Coffee Shop every Saturday night to hang out with all the other kids that hung out and to put on drag shows.

“My first drag name was Pump Tisha,” Griffin said as he laughed. “I don’t know that I should have admitted that.”

While Griffin said he never officially came out at school, he did not try to hide who he was. His high school didn’t have a gaystraight alliance and he faced almost constant bullying. He even spent almost a week in the hospital after other kids followed him home from school and beat him with pop cans in socks. The beating lead to a discussion with the school board and the national director of PFLAG. “I think all the bruises and bumps I got growing up really molded me into who I am today,” Griffin said. “I can honestly look into the eyes of young gay teens and tell them that it really does get better.”

What started as a simple coffee-shop drag show led the performer to pursue a career in fashion and Griffin studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

In 2000, Griffin moved to Salt Lake City and started out to change the face of drag in Salt Lake City. Griffin said he tried to bring a new professional aspect to drag in the city. From Club Axis to Pure, Griffin said he has used Nova to help elevate the level of performances in Salt Lake.

“Every time you see Nova walk out on that stage, you’re looking at more than $1,000 per outfit,” Griffin said. “From the rhinestones to the outfits, I have everything custom made.”

But through all the glitter, glam and localcelebrity, Griffin said Nova’s shows are about more than just the drag.

“My main show has always been, and will always be for the 18 and over crowd,” Griffin said. “Even if for just five minutes, I want to provide an escape for young gay people. I want them to have a place where they feel safe and feel like they belong.”

One of Nova’s defining moments was when a grandmother and grandson approached her after a show at Club Axis. The grandmother told Nova that she was grateful for her help in creating a safe place for her grandson after he came out to his parents and was disowned.

“It was so touching,” Griffin said. “She told me that it was rough growing up in this state and that my show helped him. I knew it was tough for him, and he took his own life six months later.”

Despite the glamour and glitter, drag is an escape, an art form and a way to bring the community together, Griffin said.

“Everyone does drag,” he said. “Whether it’s the leather daddy in a harness, the twink in his skinny jeans or the bears woofing at each other. Baby, it’s all drag.”

Griffin said he plans on keeping Nova in the spotlight and he hopes to continue to compete in pageants. He has traveled the nation representing Utah as Miss Gay United States at Large. Grifin was also recently featured in the books, 100 of the Most Influential Gay Entertainers and the Official Drag Handbook.

“To win a drag pageant takes dedication and training, just like any other pageant or competition,” he said. “For my last competition there was an interview, a talent section, a formal wear section and a patriotic-themed section.”

Griffin said no matter what pageant he competes in or where he performs, he’ll always be grateful for the love and support he’s received in Salt Lake City.

“It takes a village to build a queen,” Griffin said. “I’ll always be grateful for everything and I love Salt Lake.” Q

Cathedral of Hope Coming to Salt Lake leadership have been vocal supporters of same-sex marriage for years and people of all backgrounds can feel comfortable with the community, Watson said.

The pair spent last summer in Fort Worth, Texas, helping start a church. Near-

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Bach CHIROPRACTIC & Pastor Julie Watson and her life and business partner, Marian Edmonds ly a year later the community has more than 100 people in regular attendance.

The meetings are not uniform and attendees can expect to have discussions, listen to sermons and sing old and new hymns. People of all ages are invited and there will be separate classes for children.

“Church shouldn’t be something you have to endure,” Edmonds said. “We want to make it enjoyable, spiritual and helpful for all who attend.”

While the church has not started meeting in Salt Lake yet, there is a Facebook page and a website at COHSLC.org. Watson and Edmonds will also have a booth at Utah Pride this summer and the pair hope to receive feedback from the community so they can help tailor the meetings and locations to fit specific needs. They will also host a booth at the Farmer’s Market in Pioneer Park.

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Salt Lake City’s lesbian, gay and transgender community will have a new place to worship this summer. The Cathedral of Hope, the largest Christian congregation that has a primary outreach to the LGBT community in the world, will soon be opening a church in Salt Lake City.

Soon-to-be graduates from the Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Mo., will be moving to Salt Lake City in May to help start the new the church. The Cathedral of Hope is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and is one of the most progressive Christian congregations in the world.

The LGBT community is always welcome and no one will pressure gay people to change who they are, said Pastor Julie Watson, who along with her life and business partner, Marian Edmonds, will be heading out the church organization.

“We take the Bible very seriously, but we don’t take it literally,” Watson said.

Watson lived in Utah for more than 10 years and said she is very familiar with the communities here and the Cathedral of Hope is precisely what people in Utah need.

“So many of the LGBTQ folks I talked to believe the lie that God doesn’t love them,” Watson said. “Some don’t believe they could ever be good enough for God no matter how hard they try. And we want to show them that’s simply not true.”

God loves his children for who they are; gay, straight, bi, or transgender, said Edmonds.

“There are so many people that need to hear the message that god loves them for who they are. They need to experience the love of god,” Edmonds said.

The congregation was one of the first to allow different races and genders to be ordained as pastors, Watson said. The church

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A pril 1 4 , 2011 | issue 17 8 | QSa lt L a k e | 15

OURVIEWS

U

Question of the issue ❝❝Who do you want to see perform at Utah Pride and why?”

Aimee Selfridge Local LGBT artists! It’s Utah’s pride and as such should celebrate Utah’s LGBT community. Amie Marie would be one. There is so much great talent within our own that it seems a shame to not include and celebrate them!

from the editor Is religion necessary?

By Seth Bracken

ganda is often held as the beacon of light in Africa for an example of how to fight AIDS and HIV infections. The country saw its first case of AIDS in 1982, and infection rates spread rapidly. In 1991, 15 percent of all adults, and 30 percent of pregnant women, were HIV positive and there was little knowledge among the people of how to prevent the spread of the disease. But after the introduction of a national campaign that number dropped to a mere 5 percent by the year 2000.

The success was largely attributed to the program that was implemented throughout the 1990s that focused on Abstinence, Be faithful and Condoms, or the ABCs. The ABC program executed a multi-regional and source approach. The United States and other nations helped fund this educational campaign. The government authorities developed a strong relationship with community groups, religions organizations and the ABCs became a mandatory lesson in schools.

The government also launched an aggressive media campaign with billboards, radio and television ads that touted the ABCs as the best ways to avoid HIV and AIDS. Approximately 120 to 150 million condoms were distributed every year to help curb the spread of the disease.

Other African nations were encouraged to follow suit and take a similar approach to

the Uganda ABC system and until 2002, the country’s infection rate was on a constant decline. After the conservative takeover of the White House and Congress, a new approach was advocated for the Uganda AIDS relief program. Bowing to pressure from conservative religious organizations, the Bush administration made AIDS funding contingent on certain so-called moral standards.

First, abstinence must be the main focus of all the education. And second, condom use should only be taught for “high-risk” groups such as truckers and prostitutes. The conservative groups argued that the abstinence only education would be the best avenue to avoid infection.

This new approach was welcomed with open arms by the First Lady Janet Museveni.

She was a convert to born-again Christianity and was a firm believer in the abstinence-only programs. She helped usher in the change.

The progress that had been so hard fought for began to change.

Instead of 120 million condoms being donated, only 35 million were donated in the year 2003. The percentage of people living in Uganda that were infected with the virus began to rise slowly. The Bush administration was patting itself on the back because it increased the amount of AIDS and HIVprevention funds by nearly 50 percent. But all of the funding followed the same stipula-

16 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 17 8 | A pril 1 4 , 2011

tions and infection rates began to slowly rise again. Then came three evangelic preachers to ‘help’ the country prevent the spread of the disease.

All three were famous for their controversial theories on homosexuality and were convinced that the AIDS epidemic was due to a tolerance of homosexuality. Scott Lively, Caleb Lee Brundidge and Don Schmierer hosted a conference in the capital city of Uganda, Kampala. The conference featured talks and recordings from the three who were viewed as experts. There were presentations about how to turn gay people straight. Other presentations warned of the evils of homosexuality and how gay men often rape young boys.

It was only one month after the conference that a bill called the Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009 was introduced in Uganda. The bill called for the execution of homosexuals.

The introduction of the bill and the lack of a realistic well-rounded approach to AIDS prevention were the direct result of a religious interference into a government’s affairs. While religious groups have done immense good, the harm that is done in the name of Jesus Christ is still very much present. The evil nature of the anti-homosexuality bill and the implicit approval from the evangelic Christians is palpable.

With so much immorality performed in the name of a moral god, is religion still necessary? We no longer need a Sun God to explain why the sun rises and sets. Can science and good old-fashioned human decency simply replace religion? Morality is not an extension of religion and the two are not mutually exclusive. From the closeted-Mormon boy who suffers everyday because he knows he’ll never be the same as his peers, to the institutionalization of deadly homophobia, the poison of religion runs wide and deep in our nation. Q

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W

Queer gnosis Organizing post-gay America

By Troy Williams

hile driving with a friend through the broken chaos of North Temple construction I flippantly asked, “What will happen to the gay political movement once we have marriage?” Without missing a beat my sardonic friend replied, “All gay men will become Republicans.” I let out a gasp, “Oh my god! What if you are right?”

I know that is a dark exaggeration. Gay men of color, lesbians and trans people will always lean left. Many white guys will always remain true blue. But this is always the lurking danger of assimilation.

In America, once a marginalized group achieves a certain degree of social acceptability they inevitably swing right. And worse, they turn around and attack other marginalized groups. This is how sub-populations have traditionally demonstrated their American-ness.

In his book, A Renegade History of the United States, Thaddeus Russell explores how the newly immigrated Irish were considered “white chimps.” Jews and Italians were essentially considered “a new population of negro.” In order to achieve acceptance in our country these three groups had to distance themselves from the stigma of blacks. To become “true” Americans they were encouraged to regulate their sexual libido to harmonize with Puritan Christian values. They sought military service. They also generally began to vote conservative. This is the cycle of assimilation. And gays are right on target.

Case in point? The gender non-conforming Latina drag queens that raised hell during the early days of gay liberation are no longer the public face of gay. The marriage equality folks have replaced the gender queer with images of non-threatening, straight-acting, domesticated couples. Russell laments, “The homophile and gay marriage movements tell us that the nuclear family is the destiny for all of us.”

Gays are on the verge of having it all. Full federal equality in post-gay America will allow us marriage, military service and CEO positions in corporations like Gold-

man Sachs and Walmart. And the ranks of the Log Cabin will swell larger than ever.

Sorry for my pessimism. I can’t hide my contempt for Republicans right now. Their non-stop attack on public schools, unions and social programs are craven and immoral. They consistently demonstrate gross contempt for democracy and the working class. To see gay men (and some women) work to build up and sustain this party is absolutely unconscionable.

I have so little respect for gay Republicans because they freely walk down paths paved by others. They were too cowardly to come out and be trailblazers when it mattered most. The early homophile movement was largely boring and ineffective. They condemned the radical flamboyant queers (literally) fighting for their rights. It is darkly ironic that gay Republicans owe their freedom today to the very people they now vilify.

The first mobilization of gays in this country was under communist Harry Hay. The Stonewall Riots were led by poor Latina and black drag queens.

The members of The Gay Liberation Front were socialists who called for fair redistribution of wealth from the rich to the poor. The GLF also marched to end the Vietnam War. They were also environmentalists.

And yet today’s so-called “GOProud” would denounce the politics of the great men and women whose sacrifice got them where they are today. Conservative gays support policies that have historically held our people back. And they do it without irony. But those are Republicans for you. Sarah Palin would still be an unknown mama grizzly hibernating in Alaska if it weren’t for the radical bra-burning feminists who came before her. They broke through the barriers that prevented women from being TV pundits and Twitter celebrities. Yet she wouldn’t think twice about voting away a women’s right for reproductive choice.

Can gays avoid this inevitable trajectory into repressive conservative assimilation?

Yes – but it will require a new vision for organizing post-gay America. After we

I have so little respect for gay Republicans because they freely walk down paths paved by others

achieve full federal equality in all 50 states let’s encourage wealthy gays and lesbians to invest their fortunes in more worthy causes. We have a progressive infrastructure that we need to rebuild. We need to invest in a green energy revolution. Gay entrepreneurs and engineers should invest in new technology to harness wind, solar, tidal and geo-thermal power. This is a great way to harness gay wealth into a planetarysaving cause. And it may even make them richer!

The Human Rights Campaign will have the opportunity to reorganize and funnel their considerable resources into countries around the world where queers and women are stoned to death for stepping outside patriarchal boundaries. Gays throughout Africa and the Middle East are in desperate need of their advocacy.

The HRC, along with the National Center for Lesbian Rights, can provide crucial financial support here at home for gay and lesbian combat veterans suffering from extreme PTSD. Now that we can serve openly and freely we are going to have to deal with the consequences of war. High alcohol and

drug abuse, homelessness, suicide and gay divorce will be even more common for our people. Perhaps it would behoove gay organizations to hoist the banner of peace and once again organize against American militarism.

In our future post-gay world we will still need to empower organizations working to combat AIDS. As the GOP continues to slash and cut social programs we will need to be vigilant so that critical Ryan White funds for low-income Americans with HIV and AIDS still remain sacrosanct. And let’s not forget Africa. The epidemic requires our global attention.

We can’t lose HRC, NCLR or Equality Utah after we win federal rights. The planet still needs them to mobilize. They can reorganize to embrace a broader vision of equality; one that includes environmental stewardship, poverty reduction, universal health care, peace activism and social justice. In doing so, they will honor the early voices of gay liberation and finally break the cycle of assimilation. Q Troy Williams is the executive producer of RadioActive on KRCL 90.9 FM.

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www.RockyMountainOlympus.com A pril 1 4 , 2011 | issue 17 8 | QSa lt L a k e | 17

OURVIEWS

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mountain meadow mascara Read my tulips

By Ruby Ridge

snaps & slaps SNAP: Glenn Beck’s Fox show ending Glenn Beck will end his Fox News Channel talk show, which has plummeted in the ratings and suffered from an advertiser boycott.

arlings, I have been experiencing a profound inner conflict that has been eating me alive for weeks.

The Alternative Gardening Club of which I am a proud, but horticulturally inept member, is taking a field trip next week to the Gardens at Thanksgiving Point for their annual Tulip Festival, and therein lies my cognitive dissonance problem.

The green thumby, gardening geek, fan of all things botanical and seasonal part of me really wants to go. But my conscience and the self-respecting gay part of me just can’t get past the fact that Alan and Karen Ashton who fund Thanksgiving Point, pour millions of dollars into anti-gay political campaigns. For far less reasons I boycotted Carl’s Junior for

years, and now I refuse to eat at a Chick-FilA because of their hateful campaigns against gays and lesbians, and don’t even get me started about Target and their anti-gay donations (which I totally don’t understand considering most of the designers making collections for Target are super gay!) These organizations however, never put the massive amounts of money into discriminatory political campaigns that the Ashtons have ($1,000,000 to pass Prop 8 in California, $100,000+ to pass Amendment 3 in Utah, and God knows how many anonymous and undeclared donations to marriage related front groups.)

As someone who has visited botanical gardens and arboretums all over the planet, I would love to enjoy Thanksgiving Point and

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its mass plantings of tulips, but I will never get over that insidious nagging feeling that part of my admission price will inevitably be used to hurt me, and fund political campaigns to eradicate gay relationships and discriminate against gay families.

That’s the reason I haven’t been to Thanksgiving Point since it opened in 1997. Don’t get me wrong kittens, it’s not like I have never ever wanted to visit the place, because I have. Over the years I have wanted to go see several concerts at their Waterfall Amphitheater (I hear it’s gorgeous) or go to the Concours D’ Elegance vintage car show (until it moved to Thanksgiving Point, I loved it and looked forward to it every year since I was at the University of Utah.) But the unwelcoming negative vibe coming off of Thanksgiving Point that screams, “You and you’re kind are not welcome here” is far bigger and more memorable than their water tower. You just instinctively know at the cellular level, that you, as a gay person, are not supposed to be at Thanksgiving Point.

Even for judgmental and conservative Utah County, Thanksgiving Point’s holier than thou shtick is off the scale. Their website and mission is overflowing with dog-whistle references to family; and values; and heritage; and blessings; and family; and more family; and every other co-opted weaponized code word that enables Utah County Mormons to self-righteously sneer down their noses at the rest of us.

Yes Alan, I get it. You’re a direct descendant of David O. McKay and you have made a boatload of money, and with your political influence you can do any damn thing you want. So go ahead, plant a few hundred thousand tulips and make a colorful spectacle for “your” chosen people. Perhaps planted en masse with enough pretty blooms it will hide the real dirt underneath. Yikes, that sounded a little more snarky and bitter than I originally intended, but oh well.

I’ll probably end up going to visit the gardens, but I know my conscience is absolutely going to give me hell about selling out. Especially when I have to buy the Jimmer T-shirt and the “not-so-concealed” gun holster that I need to blend in, in Utah County. Oh that reminds me, I better leave the pink Prius with the “BIGPHAG” license plates at home. No point tempting fate. Ciao, babies! Q

He said he will stay in business

You can see Ruby Ridge and the Matrons of Mayhem in all of their polyester glory at Third Friday Bingo every third Friday of the month at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church at 777 S. 1300 East.

gally recognized partnerships that

creating other projects for Fox television and some documentaries. Beck was hosting the third most popular news talk show and he is a Tea Party darling. He hosted a rally that drew thousands to the National Mall in Washington.

But his tendency to speak about conspiracies and his insistence that Obama is a racist led to an advertiser boycott. More than 400 Fox advertisers told the company they would not allow their advertisements run during Beck’s news show. He will continue his daily talk radio show.

SNAP: First gay man uncovered?

Archeologists have uncovered what they believe is a homosexual caveman. The man’s remains date back to 2900-2500 B.C. and were found outside of Prague. The men in that culture were typically buried lying on their right side facing west and surrounded by weapons.

This caveman was found facing east and surrounded by jugs, a burial exclusively for women.

Archeologists believe he was either homosexual or transsexual.

SLAP: Colorado civil unions bill killed in House After hours of emotional debate in the House Judiciary Committee the bill that would have legalized civil unions in Colorado was killed.

The bill, which was approved by the Senate would have allowed gay couples to enter into lewould have given them many of the same rights that are currently reserved for married couples.

B

lambda lore Trapped by the Mormons

By Ben Williams

etween January, 1973 and December, 1974 America experienced its worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. The stock market had lost 45 percent of its value, inflation rose from 3 percent to more than 12 percent and the Arab OPEC countries instituted an oil embargo to punish the West for its support of Israel. It was hard times but I managed to scrape up enough funds to return to Brigham Young University. I had to return because my graduation diploma was being held hostage by the religion department for a less than one semester credit.

A month before my return to the Y though, the Lord’s university began ferreting out and expelling all the gay students they could lay their hands on. Known as the “Purge of ’75,” BYU security officers interrogated students majoring in fine arts, drama and dance, and placed electronic recording devices on decoy students. Security operatives took recorded plate numbers of cars parked outside of Salt Lake City’s gay bars. At least five gay students committed suicide.

BYU’s president, Dallin Oaks, in a Salt Lake Tribune article admitted that electronic recording devices had been planted on students without bona fide search warrants. When he was asked if there was a widespread campaign to find homosexuals on his campus, Oaks replied, “Two influences we wish to exclude from the BYU community are active homosexuals and drug users, and these subjects are therefore among those with which our security forces are concerned.”

Unwittingly I arrived on campus shortly after this first purge of homosexuals and yes I finally graduated in the spring of 1975; BYU’s centennial year. Afterward, because of the economy, I quickly realized that a history degree and a quarter would buy me a cup of coffee. So I decided to stay in school and equip myself with an education degree.

In 1975 our involvement in the Vietnam war ended. Ted Bundy was on a heterosexual killing spree from Idaho to Colorado while living in Salt Lake City; and Oliver Sipple, a gay man, saved President Gerald Ford from an assassination attempt by a follower of Charles Manson. I was in

school, immersed in pedagogical practices.

Everything was going swimmingly for me until I became careless and fell in love.

By March 1976 I had outgrown any enthusiasm I ever had for the Y. I was nearly 25, and so very weary of BYU. So I was exceptionally careful until I met Larry.

I became careless because I was lonely.

Many of my younger college friends had gone on to serve missions, and those my age had either graduated or married. My feeling of isolation there was palpable but I tried my best to concentrate on getting certified as a history teacher. I had almost finished my certification when I tripped up.

How Larry and I met is inconsequential but after an initial encounter, he asked if I would see him again. I said yes and this response led to the ruin of my career at BYU and nearly ended Larry’s life. Unbeknown to Larry and me, the powers at BYU were gearing up for another purge; this time in correlation with Utah County law enforcement.

In early spring, deeply in love, Larry and I met out on country farm roads off campus for our forbidden trysts.

We knew we had to be careful with our secret romance. We were incredibly fearful of being caught by BYU spies.

Having been more active in the gay underground than I, Larry told of BYU’s security forces spying on students suspected of being gay. He told of the use electronic bugs to spy on him and his friends, both on and off campus. He related how gays would turn in other gays as a way of showing repentance; and those who wished to remain were subjected to aversion therapy. Beginning in the 1960s the psychology department at the Y had experimented with electroshock aversion therapy in an attempt to cure homosexuality. Those who went through the program were shown gay pornography and when these mad scientists sensed an arousal on the part of the victim, an electrical shock jolted them.

Perhaps I was living in a fool’s paradise and should have seen the warning signs, but I didn’t until it was too late. In March 1976 I learned of a series of arrests at the notorious Pleasant Grove rest stops on I-15.

Fourteen men were arrested for sodomy

I quickly realized that a history degree and a quarter would buy me a cup of coffee.

and lewdness. One, a 54-year-old music teacher, even committed suicide.

“There were so many of them out there Friday night it was like fish packed in a barrel,” a sheriff’s deputy said. Officers documented more than 100 men “engaged in homosexual activity there.” The lawmen turned arrest records of any students over to BYU’s standards office.

After reading of the arrests on the front page of the Daily Universe, I worried whether security had my name in their files.

However, I felt pretty confident since only Larry knew of our relationship. I wanted to talk to Larry and see if he was OK but I didn’t dare because he thought his phone was being tapped.

On a gloomy, snowy day soon after that, Larry came to my apartment. He said, “Ben I’m not going to make it.”

He said that he had been one of the men picked up at the Pleasant Grove rest stop and turned into security. He also told me that he had swallowed a whole bottle of aspirin. My first reaction was not to believe it. He wouldn’t actually commit suicide — this man I loved. I started to cry but then pulled myself together to seize the situation. He would not let me call Utah Valley Hospital and struggled to leave when he thought I would. I was frantic. It didn’t seem real; like a fantasy but it was too real.

Finally I managed to convince him to walk with me outside, hoping this would keep him awake. We walked about a mile in the blowing snow. I didn’t know what to do and I felt so helpless.

As he was getting weaker, Larry said he wanted to die up in the canyon and asked if I would drive him. I agreed. When he became sleepy and could no longer resist I rushed him back down to the hospital. I told admittance that he had accidentally overdosed on aspirin. Larry started to get violently sick.

His ears were ringing, stomach cramping, and eyes dilating. They promptly gave him ipecac to throw up. For two hours he heaved blood while I paced outside. My mind was in a daze. Because he had vomited so much blood and had absorbed too much aspirin, Larry was kept overnight.

No one came to see Larry while in the hospital except BYU security and a BYU psychiatrist. No friends, no bishop or elder quorum president. Even though there was nothing more I could do, Larry’s nurse asked me to stay by his side. I wiped the sweat from his burning forehead as the aspirin burned through his system. I stayed until they made me leave.

Leaving the hospital, I felt trapped. I felt despair. I felt alone. I was alone. Q

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A pril 1 4 , 2011 | issue 17 8 | QSa lt L a k e | 19

OURVIEWS

the straight line Boyd the bigot strikes back

By Bob Henline

L

ast week’s LDS General Conference once again brought the bigotry of LDS leaders into the light. President Boyd K. Packer, noted last year for his ridiculous remarks about homosexuality as a choice and sin, uttered these choice remarks: “In another revelation, the Lord’s standard of morality command that the sacred powers to beget life be protected and employed only between a man and woman, husband and wife. To misuse this power is exceeded only by the shedding of innocent blood and denying the Holy Ghost.”

Let’s start with the obvious, “exceeded only by the shedding of innocent blood and denying the Holy Ghost.” So, two people that love each other and are committed to one another are more detrimental to society than say, thieves, embezzlers, child abusers (that don’t draw blood), arsonists and other assorted criminals? Boyd’s god would rather forgive these people for sins they willingly commit, but cannot accept the existence of homosexuals, people that make no choice about their sexual orientation or identity? Nice god.

But let’s take a deeper look. What Boyd is also saying is that someone who commits adultery or engages in sexual activity outside of marriage is also in more dire moral straights than criminals. There are so many levels of idiocy here that it’s actually quite hard to separate them all.

Let’s start with the homosexual angle.

Two men that engage in sexual activity fall into this category of sin because their seed is wasted on ground that can’t produce children, right? So what if both of these

men are sterile, does that make their homosexuality acceptable? They can’t create children, hence they are not abusing the sacred power to beget life.

What about homosexual women? They don’t lose their eggs by engaging in homosexual activity, so they aren’t really abusing this sacred power either, other than the fact that they aren’t employing every opportunity to get pregnant and make babies.

What about women who make a choice to not have children, especially those who are not sexually active at all? Are they in some way abusing their power to beget life be-

Happy holy birthday

T

By H. Rachelle Graham

he Mormon Church and I went on a date. I mean we share the same birth date.

I used to brag to anyone who would listen that not only did I share the birth date of the one true church but I also was born on what many members believe is the birth of the most important human/ spiritual being who ever lived.

Now I know the truth.

The Mormon Church as the only true church is about as realistic as purple aliens landing in Salt Lake City the same

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accept is the continued claim that we, as a society, need to respect that bigotry in the guise of protecting religious freedom. We do have to accept it, but we don’t have to respect it.

If the LDS Church chooses to believe that homosexuality is in some way immoral, that’s fine. They have the constitutionally guaranteed right to their beliefs. What’s not fine is the way in which they approach it. To make a statement that the sin of homosexuality is exceeded only by murder and the denial of God is not only patently absurd, but morally reprehensible on too many levels to count.

But hey, I guess my LGTBQ friends can take comfort in the fact that atheists like me, even straight ones, are headed to hell faster than they are. Q

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cause they are not attempting to create life during every available biological cycle?

Is Packer arguing that the only non-sinful way to engage in sex is for the purpose of procreation?

What about birth control? If married couples engage in sexual activity but employ birth control methods, are they abusing this sacred power? I can’t help but flashback to a bit of Monty Python: “Every sperm is sacred, every sperm is great, whenever sperm gets wasted God gets quite irate.”

While I personally find it offensive and honestly incomprehensible that an organization that claims to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ would so openly promote intolerance and hatred, I accept the fact that the Mormon Church has every right to their beliefs and bigotry. What I don’t

year I was magically conceived.

That year, 1978, is also the same year African Americans were granted the priesthood. Way too many years after the rest of the country deemed them equal and worthy.

Kurt from Glee said my words exactly, “The reason I don’t go to church is that most churches don’t think much of gay people or women or science.”

It is a shock I now strongly worship Kurt’s words, since my Mom used to brag that out of all her daughters, I’d be the one, the only one, who would go on an LDS mission. I did seriously consider the idea on my 18th birthday, when I chose to spend it in the temple. Not a surprise as I spent a lot of time in the temple ducking under holy water for ghosts, who most likely don’t want to belong to a church that excludes anyone who is in the rainbow.

Then I never could imagine I’d be in sin city on my 21st birthday, enjoying free drinks and penny slots. I hated disappointing my Mom, but in the long run she still found ways to be proud of me. Ultimately, all that matters to her is that I care about

other people and stand for what I believe in, even if it is different from her.

Recently, I impressed a friend of mine by remembering the exact date of the church’s restoration. His eyebrows raised and jaw dropped as if I’d just told him I was an angel. He doesn’t know the other side of me.

Many don’t anymore. I read and re-read the triple combination about 50 times. Obsessed didn’t even begin to describe it.

Not until my last year’s birthday did I realize my spirituality was good enough.

Nature turned into my church. Equality turned into my core belief. Pure love and acceptance of self and others are what matter.

The quote I wrote on Facebook said it best, “I imagine a world where people don’t debate health care, where suicide isn’t common. And all temples are open to everyone, especially the homeless. A world without brainwashing, where family is love. And all hate crimes are sentenced, no matter the victim.”

Even though it is widely accepted Jesus was born in the spring, and not a specific date, I still feel my birthday is special. The only others are Jan. 4, April 20 and Nov. 13.

Why? The most important spiritual examples in my life share those birthdays. They are family members who go way beyond the simple definition of love.

I can’t stand on a pulpit and tell my exact testimony beyond a shadow of a doubt, but I can tell you without question, I’ve seen Jesus in these three people. Q

Pure love and acceptance of self and others are what matter

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TheQPages.com A pril 1 4 , 2011 | issue 17 8 | QSa lt L a k e | 21

OURVIEWS

creep of the week Victoria Jackson

By D’Anne Witkowski

I

used to love Saturday Night Live when I was a kid. By far one of my favorite cast members was Victoria Jackson. I thought she was hilarious.

Granted, she mostly played the same ditzy-blonde character in every skit, but she did it well.

When Jackson left the show in 1992 I remember feeling disappointed. I was positive SNL just wouldn’t be the same without her. And, of course, it wasn’t, but my allegiance was with the show, not with Jackson. And it wasn’t long before I lost track of her.

Fast forward almost two decades later.

I hadn’t even thought of Victoria Jackson in years. In fact, if you had asked me if she was even still alive I would have been unable to answer that question.

But she’s alive all right. And, it turns out, completely insane.

On March 18, “The Muslims next door,” a column by Tea Party Princess Jackson, appeared on World Net Daily, the Internet’s go-to source for right-wing ranting and raving about homosexuality. Granted, Jackson’s piece is, as the title indicates, about Muslims, but she manages to get some anti-gay jabs in there as well (I suspect that’s editorial policy at WND).

“Why do liberals embrace Islam knowing it frowns on homosexuality?”

Jackson writes. “Because they have the same goals. Progressives, communists, liberals, globalists and Muslims want to destroy America. When that goal is reached, they will fight for top billing. It will be bloody.”

Ah, yes. the great race to destroy the country and then beat the shit out of each other. She’s on to us. Granted, I don’t know where we’re going to live once our shared dream of destruction is realized.

Probably Canada.

I should point out that Jackson’s criteria for “embracing Islam” simply means the opposite of denouncing Islam. So basically if you don’t hate something then that means you love it. And probably want to gay-marry it. Very logically sound.

And so her thinking goes throughout her column. It’s rambling and full of sweeping generalizations and unsupported claims. At times she tries to be funny, but really she just comes across as a hateful person.

“Frankly, I’m afraid to say anything about Muslims. Why? Because they kill people,” she writes. “I try to stay away from violence, and I wouldn’t even be thinking about Islam except that they keep jumping in front of my face. No one talked about Islam when I grew up. How

she needs to read something other than World Net Daily. And before we give her too much credit for denouncing the Westboro Baptist Church, don’t forget that she doesn’t like gays one bit. Especially, it seems, not the gleeful ones.

“Did you see Glee this week?” she writes. “Sickening! And, besides shoving the gay thing down our throats, they made a mockery of Christians — again!

I wonder what their agenda is? Hey, producers of Glee — what’s your agenda?

One-way tolerance?”

Granted, I don’t watch Glee, but I know that there was a kiss between two boys on the show.

Perhaps, for the sake of “balance,” someone should have beaten the shit out of those two fags during the same episode. You know, a nod to all of the tender-hearted Christians out there offended by a boy kissing another boy.

Remember, when you kiss a homo you do it for Satan. But when you sucker punch one, you’re doing it for Jesus. Q

But she’s alive all right. And, it turns out, completely insane

Photo booths liven up the party

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It is the only Utah hotel on the historic registry and aside from a beautiful experience, the staff prides itself on providing the best service. The

did they all suddenly appear in America?”

Good question. How did they “all suddenly appear in America?” Surely there weren’t Muslims here back in the ’60s and ’70s when Jackson was a kid. I mean, it’s not like Islam is one of the largest religions in the world or anything. So there’s really just no telling how they managed to get some of their people on U.S. soil right under Jackson’s nose.

All Muslims are up to no good in Jackson’s eyes. She writes, “Why can’t the ‘good, peaceful’ Muslims denounce the actions of the ‘bad, violent’ Muslims? I’m Baptist, and I denounce the actions of the Westboro Baptist Church. They are not living the way Jesus taught — but the opposite. Maybe, just maybe the ‘good’ Muslims approve of what the ‘bad’ Muslims are doing! Maybe they are celebrating it, funding it and cheering them on.”

It’s strange that Jackson seems to be completely unaware of the multitude of Muslims who condemn violence. The majority of them, even. Maybe, just maybe

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22 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 17 8 | A pril 1 4 , 2011

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The photo booth operation is most popular at weddings, said Diane Busteed, who owns and operates the company with her husband.

All Occasions PhotoBooths helped sponsor the QSaltLake wedding giveaway.

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A pril 1 4 , 2011 | issue 17 8 | QSa lt L a k e | 23

LDS&GAY

LDS and GAY

By Seth Bracken

M

ost members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe in modern revelation. They profess a living prophet that speaks directly to God and in turn speaks to the members of the Church.

But for David Baker, it’s more than that. The Utah native, who now lives in Washington, D.C., is an openly-gay Mormon who still believes and practices the Mormon faith.

“I differ from the church in one key area,” Baker said. “I think that the organization of the Church might not be in line with the gospel of Jesus Christ concerning homosexuality.”

Baker began the coming out process in August of 2008 when he first admitted to himself that he is gay. Next he told his parents. And then his extended family just before Thanksgiving, and most recently his co-workers.

“It’s been an interesting ride. And a little bit bumpy,” Baker said.

It’s a little bumpier than some other similar coming out stories.

Because unlike other gay Mormons who practice the religion, Baker dates men and is looking for a husband.

“I do want to find someone to settle down with. I want to find a husband,” Baker said.

Through his coming out process, Baker is now open about his sexuality to his family, friends and even his ward.

“I’ve had two bishops and I’ve talked with both of them on this issue. They both know that I date men,” Baker said. “There’s been a lot of interesting conversations, but never any problems.”

Baker is a current and full member of the Mormon Church. He attends all his meetings and said he has not received any castigation or formal reprimands from the church organization. He holds leadership positions in his church, often times known as callings.

Through the Years “We know this disease is curable” SPENCER S. KIMBALL

He has helped as the co-chair of the cultural events committee, home teaching district leader and as the first counselor in the elder’s quorum.

“I absolutely believe that a man named Joseph Smith was visited by God, the father, and his son, Jesus Christ,” Baker said.

“I believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God and I believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly.”

The reaction from Baker’s bishops is becoming more and more common, said the president of Affirmation, David Melson.

Affirmation is a group for LGBT Mormons to associate with their peers.

“There are different reactions throughout the Church. I’ve seen a bishop excommunicate a man simply for being gay. But I also know of some great leaders that allow their gay members to be fully welcomed and they react very well,” Melson said. “I’m moderately encouraged because I see more and more equalityminded leaders.”

Melson said he has been working with many members of the church organization because the varying experiences that gay people have in the Church are potentially devastating. Melson has been communicating regularly with the Mormon leadership, including general authorities. Melson delivered, along with the president of the Human Rights Commission and gay-rights activist, Bruce Bastian, a petition of more than 150,000 signatures to the Mormon Church protesting a speech made by Apostle Boyd Packer.

“Since I delivered that petition, not a week has gone by that I haven’t received a phone call from a Mormon general authority saying he doesn’t agree with what Packer said,” Melson said.

The differing experiences of the different members of the Church cause internal struggle as the members must support all

1959

1970

In response to the arrest of gay Mormon men in bars and rest stops, church president, David O. McKay assigned Apostles Spencer Kimball and Mark Petersen to “cure” gay men.

“We know this disease is curable,” Kimball said in an address to seminary teachers and presidents at BYU on July 10, 1964. “The cure for this malady (homosexuality) lies in self mastery.”

LDS Church pamphlet, Hope for Transgressors is released. The pamphlet encourages homosexuals to date and marry women. It says, “Homosexuality can be cured.” The pamphlet also says, “God did not make people that way (gay).”

“God did not make people that way”

2 4 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 17 8 | A pril 1 4 , 2011

local, regional and Church-wide authorities, despite the differences of opinion on how to treat gay people in the Church.

In a statement from the Mormon Church, Apostle Dallin Oaks said that marrying a woman is not a therapeutic way to change a sexual orientation, but it is an option for those that feel they can “deal” with being gay.

“Marriage should not be viewed as a therapeutic step to solve problems such as homosexual inclinations or practices,” Oaks wrote in a press release. “On the other hand, persons who have cleansed themselves of any transgression and who have shown their ability to deal with these feelings or inclinations and put them in the background, and feel a great attraction for a daughter of God and therefore desire to enter marriage and have children and enjoy the blessings of eternity — that’s a situation when marriage would be appropriate.”

However, this vague position on homosexuality has not always existed and there is some discrepancy among church leadership.

“Currently, the policy is to follow the teachings as stated in sacred scripture,” Baker said. “The only reference to homosexuality in all of the cannon of scripture is the Levitical reference. Even Paul’s epistle (in the New Testament) only references that one scripture.”

In his journey to find a husband and settle down, Baker continues to follow the basic tenants of the Mormon Church. He doesn’t smoke, or drink coffee, tea and alcohol. He takes care of his body and he prays daily. He also said he won’t have sex until marriage.

“I usually have a discussion about this by the third date,” Baker said. “Usually people react very well. There are always questions, but they react very well.”

However, Baker fully acknowledges that when he does find a

1970s

A series of studies are conducted at BYU that involve electro-shock therapy to change the sexual orientation of young gay men.

The participants are shown gay pornography while being shocked by electrodes attached to their bodies. Then heterosexual pornography is shown while soothing music is played in the background.

1976

“Physical mischief with another man is forbidden”

In a pamphlet released called, To Young Men Only, Apostle Boyd Packer says that being gay is a choice and that there are some that might try to tempt and encourage other young men to have gay sex. He tells a story of a young man beating a young gay man and says it is not always the solution, but violence should be considered against gay people.

“I am not recommending that course to you, but I am not omitting it.

You must protect yourself.”

BOYD K. PACKER on violence against a gay person who comes on to another

partner and gets married, there might be some problems.

“I am fully prepared to be excommunicated,” Baker said. “And even though I won’t be able to hold callings, I will still be that guy.

I will be at every church activity. I will be the one baking casseroles for the sick. I’ll be the first to sign up on every committee. I’ll be setting up and taking down every activity.”

Until that happens, Baker said he is happy with his life.

“I am really blessed and I am pleased with the way my leaders have reacted,” Baker said. “But I realize that I live in a singles ward in D.C., not everyone’s experience would be the same. The people that come to church here are younger and more openminded than most other wards.”

Another reaction Just like many young, white Mormon boys before him, Drew Call was raised to believe in God. He followed all the rules and religious doctrine that he was taught by his parents.

At the age of 19, Call went on a two-year mission where he preached and taught people about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He taught about Joseph Smith’s visions and the Book of Mormon.

And just like thousands of other Mormon boys before him, Call came home and married a beautiful young woman. After graduating from LDS Business College he continued his job working for the Mormon Church as a production supervisor. He helped oversee the production of print materials. From handbooks to pamphlets, Call was involved with it all. Because he worked for the Mormon Church organization itself, he had to agree to always live by the standards of the Church. But for the recently returned missionary, that wasn’t an issue, or so he thought at the time.

He and his wife bought a home in Davis County. And together

they would go on to have two beautiful daughters and take part in their portion of the Mormon American dream.

But the dream was cut short.

“I got married to my ex-wife because it was exactly what I was always told to do,” Call said. “I knew I was attracted to men.

I’d always known I was attracted to men. But I got married to a woman anyway.”

The problems in the marriage began early. And after seven years of marriage and two daughters the two separated.

He met a coach of the gay aquatic club, QUAC, at the gym. After cultivating a friendship with several gay men, Call realized that gay people weren’t all bad and he started developing friendships.

After his ex-wife found out he was swimming with QUAC, she told his parents. After troubles with his relationship with his parents, he also faced problems with his church congregation.

“I felt so alone. No one came to visit me and everyone ignored me at church,” Call said.

Which is why his new group of friends was so important, he said. Along with swimming practices, Call began attending a charity bingo event with his friends.

The bingo event attracts a straight and gay crowd. All of the money raised goes to a different charity and Call’s daughters are absolutely in love with it. However, this bingo event is sponsored by the Utah Pride Center and the comedy drag troupe the Cyber Sluts.

And this bingo event is why his stake president said he had to lose his job.

The act of associating with people that are involved in samesex relationships is against the will of God, even if his daughters love bingo, his stake president told him in a recorded interview for a temple recommend renewal. Call’s job hinged on this interview.

1992

1995

The World Health Organization removes homosexuality as a mental disorder and the LDS Church releases a new pamphlet called, Understanding and Helping Those with Homosexual Problems. This pamphlet removed all references to homosexuality as a disease.

Apostle Dallin Oaks writes an article for the Mormon publication, The Ensign, that clarifies the church’s new stance on homosexuality. He says participating in homosexual sex and other acts is against God’s plan. He also clarifies that the Mormon Church officials will not use gay or lesbian as nouns.

He says that people are not gay, but some do participate in gay sex. But there is no such thing as a gay or a lesbian.

In a separate statement issued earlier, Oaks opposed the equal treatment of

“It would also be desirable to permit employers to exclude homosexuals from influential positions in media, literature and entertainment.”

DALLIN OAKS

gay people and said, “It would also be desirable to permit employers to exclude homosexuals from influential positions in media, literature and entertainment.”

If he was denied the recommend, he would lose his job.

“I think it’s inappropriate to take children, and I really think it’s inappropriate for you to go, myself, to this gay bingo,” said the stake president.

Call was denied his temple recommend, which is a card that is given to worthy and active members of the Mormon Church by the clergy. The members face a series of questions that ask about whether or not they follow the Mormon doctrine.

“So what are you going to do?” Call asked the stake president.

“You’re going to have to look for a job,” the stake president told him.

Call said he identifies as gay, but in the interview with the stake president, he was not reprimanded for being gay, only for having gay friends.

“The church opposes the relationship between a man and a man and a woman and a woman, and you’re associating with those individuals. I don’t know how to get around that,” said the stake president, who did not return phone calls made by QSaltLake.

Call said he knows that each different stake president might have different interpretations of the Church’s stance.

“I know that each different leader would have reacted differently to me having gay friends,” Call said. “I guess I am OK with the outcome. I am moving on.”

Melson encourages gay Mormons, like Call and Baker to continue and rely on their own faith.

“No one has to be mistreated in the church,” Melson said. “It’s going to change. Just like the blacks with the priesthood in 1978, I fully expect the church to accept gay people with full equality, even marriage. It’s just a matter of time.” Q

2008

2009

Mormon Church officials announce support of California’s Proposition 8, which would define marriage between one man and one woman. LDS Church members are read a letter in their weekly meetings that tells them to “do all you can to support the proposed constitutional amendment by donating of your means and time.” More than 45 percent of all the funds to push for Prop.

8 came from outside of California. Some estimate more than 70 percent of all pro-Prop.

8 funds were donated

by LDS Church members.

Apostle Dallin Oaks gives a speech at BYU-Idaho and says that the Mormons are being persecuted by gay people and gay supporters much like the blacks were persecuted during the civil rights movement.

The LDS Church officially endorses the Salt Lake City anti-bias laws to protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The church official said that the Mormon Church could support the ordinances because they “do no violence to the institution of marriage.”

2010

Apostle Boyd Packer speaks at a general meeting for all the church membership and says that a loving heavenly father would never make anyone gay and that people are able to ‘overcome’ homosexual tendencies. This speech sparked protests, and the text of the speech is later changed online to read that people are able to ‘overcome’ homosexual temptations.

2011 In another speech Apostle Boyd Packer says that homosexuality is second only to murder and denying the Holy Ghost in degrees of sin.

A pril 1 4 , 2011 | issue 17 8 | QSa lt L a k e | 25

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26 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 17 8 | A pril 1 4 , 2011

LDS&GAY

Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons provides advocacy and fellowship

S

ince Affirmation was founded in 1977 to help support gay Mormons, chapters have been started all around the world. The group provides a safe and familiar surrounding for Mormons who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

The group maintains that it is possible to be gay and live the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Regular meetings are held in locations across the country, and a weekend conference is held in Salt Lake City annually.

Although the group does not support the creation of a new church, it serves as an advocacy organization on behalf of gay and lesbian Mormons. The group has helped in protests against the Church’s outspoken opposition to marriage equality. The president of Affirmation, David Melson, also helped deliver a petition of more than 150,000 signatures to the Mormon Church in protest against statements made in a general meeting of the Church. Apostle Boyd

Packer said that a loving god would not make people gay and that gay people can change to straight.

Over the years, change has happened and full acceptance of gay members is inevitable, said Melson. “(The Mormon Church’s) attitude is softening,” Melson said. “There’s almost a uniform opinion among the general authorities that full acceptance is going to happen.”

Affirmation has a variety of resources to help gay Mormons find local outlets, online communities and literature. The website, Affirmation.org, serves as a launching point to help gay Mormons and former Mormons find like-minded people as well as resources to help people know that they’re not the only ones that are gay, Melson said.

“I don’t want anyone to forget that there is light at the end of the tunnel,” Melson said. “I know the Church does move lightning-fast. But it’s going to happen eventually.”

LDS Reconciliation reaches out Despite many gay members of the Mormon Church facing difficulties within their own wards, there are still those that cling to the faith and lifestyle, said LDS Reconciliation leader Tom DeVroom. There are many gay members and former members of the faith that want to discuss spirituality in a safe environment, DeVroom said.

LDS Reconciliation is a group that meets regularly to discuss the gospel of Jesus Christ from an LDS perspective, DeVroom said. With weekly discussions and other activities, such as movie nights, the group is a good social atmosphere for those looking for low-key interactions.

“We’ve been meeting for about 20 years now and while membership fluctuates, we always have a consistent number of people coming,” DeVroom said.

The group does not participate in large pushes for advocacy and isn’t involved in the public sector as much as some other gay groups, he said.

Instead they focus on taking care of the members

of the group and growing spiritually, he said.

Everyone is invited to attend and there are no requirements for age or LDS Church membership, DeVroom said. There are current and actively participating Mormons who attend. And there are some people who attend that have not had interaction with the Church for years.

“We meet to help provide a space where people can be spiritual and discuss the gospel and not feel threatened about their sexuality,” he said.

The group also encourages straight allies and people that have gay or lesbian family members to attend the group. The LDS Reconciliation website states that the group strives to help people put being gay and Mormon into perspective.

The meetings take place every Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Utah Pride Center. The group, and the website, LDSReconciliation.org, have resources to help gay Mormons and their family members. Other activities are planned and calendar updates are available online.

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A pril 1 4 , 2011 | issue 17 8 | QSa lt L a k e | 27

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT BODY&FITNESS

gay agenda Just sayin’

QQ Ririe-Woodbury Dancy Company presents the ALWIN NIKOLAIS CENTENNIAL, a full evening of works by this dance/theatre wizard including the Salt Lake City premieres of Kaleidoscope and Temple. See the genius of one whose multi-media dance theatre has served as an inspiration for current artists.

7:30pm, through April 23, Jeanne Wagner Theatre, Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. Broadway.

Tickets $30, 201-355-ARTS or arttix.org.

by Tony Hobday

23

15

5pm, Spring Mobile Ballpark, 77 W. 1300 South. Tickets $20, swerveutah.com.

saturday — sWere is going all butch! Wait a minute, I think Chris Holden, Ms. Ross 2U, was a beautiful soul and a great that’s also a given. Anyhoo, it’s apparently going to be a root-tootinspiration to many of my Gay Agenda vomitings. He was an toot good time at the Take Me Out to the Ball Game, a fabulous exceptionally charming man, a so-so bowler, and boy could he pull-off gold jewelry ... I’ve never known any gay man that evening of minor league Bee’s baseball. A hot dog picnic will be provided, which could do that ... just sayin’. Seriously though, I really got a actually is weird since the girls of sWerve, I believe, don’t like weiners ... just kick out of Chris and enjoyed his company. I will miss him dearly. sayin’. friday — Park City is going all Christina Aguilera! Oh hell, those

Parkites are their own kind of bawdy with their thermal underwear and fleece jackets and gas-guzzling Hummers ... and boy can they strip the lacquer off a dance floor. Taylor Productions presents Park City Burlesque, a cabaret evening of provocative song and dance to stimulate the sensual side ... like that takes a lot of effort for homos, just sayin’.

7pm & 9pm, through Saturday, Black Box Theatre, Main Street Mall (yes, they do have a mall), 345 Main St., Park City. Tickets $12–35, 435-649-9371.

QQ Ruby Ridge is going all Ernest Borgnine in a dress! Oh hell, Ernest looks better in a dress, just sayin’. You know I love you Ruby. Tonight the Mattress of Mayhem, herself, presents Third Friday Bingo ... “O-69” ... tehehe, I said 69 ... tehehe.

Anyhoo, join the luscious Ruby for a fabulous night of games and gore — proceeds benefit Ogden PFLAG. 7pm, First Baptist Church, 777 S. 1300 East. Bingo cards $5 at the door.

16

saturday — The Salt Lake Community College is going all

RuPaul! Ok, probably not. It’s the return of RAW COUTURE, the college’s Fashion Institute fashion show. Check out what’s hot in Utah’s fashion world from the top student designers of the Fashion Institute’s programs.

So pull out your best Louis Vuitton, and be sure to accessorize — Ok, I hope it’s going to be a little Drag Race-y!

7:30pm, Jeanne Wagner Theatre, Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. Broadway. Tickets $19, 801355-ARTS or arttix.org.

QQ The Utah Pride Center is going all High School Musical! But gayer, if you can believe it. If you’re between the ages of 14-20, and own something by Louis Vittone, then go to Queer Prom. I know all you LGBT youth can strip the lacquer off a dance floor better than those pinenut-eating Parkites, just sayin’.

QQ Artist, Todd Powelson, and writer, Anna West, are celebrating the anniversary of their blog ArtDuh.com, with a huge art show called Huge. Art. Duh. designed to make the city’s art scene a little less insular. Actually, I wouldn’t mind living on an island with coconuts and a volleyball ... just sayin’. Local artists include Teresa Flowers, Colt Bowden, Angela Brown, Dave Borba, Justin Wheatley, Dallas Russell, Matt Monson, Giuliana Serena, Heidi Gress, Shawna Powelson, Jonathon Baker and Tonya Vistaunet.

6–10pm tonight, regular gallery hours through May 31, Hive Gallery, Trolley Square, 625 E. 500 South. Free, 801-971-9831 or thehivegalleryslc.com.

QQ Studio 27 is going all leather and chandeliers! Well, I have heard chandeliers kind of make bondage a little more classy ... just sayin’. Anyhoo, join Rox, Mr. International Olympus and Sythen, Ms. Rocky Mountain Olympus Leather as they hand over their titles at the Mr. & Mrs. Rocky Mountain Olympus Leather competition. Oooolala!

6pm, Studio 27, 615 W. 100 South. Tickets $15, rockymountainolympus.com.

26

tuesday — Capitol Theatre is going all green! No, it’s not Wicked. No, it’s not that pesky environmental thingy. It’s Young Frankenstein, the stage reincarnation of the classic Mel Brooks movie. This wickedly inspired re-imagining of the monstrous legend follows bright, young Dr. Frankenstein (that’s Fronkensteen) as he attempts to create a monster — but not without scary and hilarious complications.

7:30pm, through May 1, Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 South. Tickets $35–67.50, 801-355ARTS or arttix.org.

8pm–midnight, Salt Lake City Library, 210 E. 400 South. Tickets $5/advance–$10/at the door, 801-539-8800 or utahpridecenter.org.

upcoming events JUN 19 Ani DiFranco Red Butte Garden JUN 24 Sheryl Crow Red Butte Garden JUL 16 Lisa Lampanelli Wendover JUL 25 Katy Perry ESA AUG 13 Josh Grobin ESA

QQ Club Try-Angles is going all fruity! Wait a minute, I think that’s a given. For the Easter holiday (which isn’t for another week, but Gene has always been premature in everything he does, poor bastard ... just sayin’.), this month’s Manhunt Underwear Night is all about the Easter basket. Decorate your undies in your most fabulous Easter motif ... just don’t pull a bunny out ... somebody’s eye might get poked.

9pm, Club Try-Angles, 251 W. 900 South. Call 801-364-3203 for more info or creative basket ideas.

20

wednesday — Openly gay NPR humorist and best-selling author David Sedaris returns to Utah. I’ve read several of his books, and my favorites are Naked and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim. With sardonic wit and incisive social critiques, Sedaris has become one of America’s pre-eminent humor writers. The man is a hoot!

7:30pm, Kingsbury Hall, 1395 E. Presidents Cir., UofU. Tickets $32.50-47.50, 801-581-7100 or kingtix.com.

21

thursday — Back by popular demand, Nice Jewish Girls

Gone Bad returns to Salt Lake City with their refreshing mix of comedy, music and show-stopping variety. These madelas of madness redefine years of tradition, expectations and guilt in a tuchus kicking vaudeville extravaganza! Hosted by Goddess Perlman, and featuring Sara Barron, Naomi Less and Cynthia Levin.

7:30pm, I.J. & Jeanné Wagner Jewish Community Center, 2 North Medical Drive, UofU. Tickets $15/adv–$20/at the door, 801-581-0098.

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Kinsey Sicks See April 1

save the date April 15

Day of Silence dayofsilence.org April 24 PWACU’s Spring Fling pwacu.org May 14 Gay Day at Hogle Zoo tinyurl.com/gayhogle May 26–27 Hey Look Us Over, Salt Lake Men’s Choir, saltlakemenschoir.org June 3–5 Utah Pride Festival utahpridecenter.org

June 11 HRC Gala Dinner hrc.org June 17–19 Damn These Heels! Film Festival damntheseheels.org June 23–26 Utah Arts Festival uaf.org

August 7 QSaltLake Day at Lagoon qsaltlake.com August 12–14 Utah Rebellion utahrebellion.com August 14 QSaltLake Day at Park Silly Mkt parksillysundaymarket.com

July 30 QSaltLake and Pride Softball Day at the Bees prideleague.com

August 20

August PWACU River Trip pwacu.org

World AIDS Day

August 4–7 Park City Arts Festival kimballartcenter.org

To get your major event

Equality Utah Allies Dinner equalityutah.org December 1 worldaidsday.org

included on this list, e-mail arts@qsaltlake.com

A l w i n

N i k o l a i s

Centennial Under the Artistic Direction of Alberto del Saz of the Nikolais/Louis Foundation for Dance

Featuring two Salt Lake City premieres: Temple and Kaleidoscope Two Separate Programs — Come See Both Shows!

Program I

Program II

7:30 p.m.

2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

April 21 & 22

April 23

Jeanné Wagner Theatre Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center

Tickets: Adults $30, Students/Seniors $15 Use code: “Q Magazine” at our box office for 2 for 1 admission.

r i r i e w o o d b u r y. c o m

A pril 1 4 , 2011 | issue 17 8 | QSa lt L a k e | 29

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT BODY&FITNESS

A lifetime of risk-taking, A Lily stands tall

By Tony Hobday

30 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 17 8 | A pril 1 4 , 2011

young girl growing up in the inner city of Detroit, Mich., comedian Lily Tomlin recalls, when she was 10 years old, standing in her mother’s slip with a strand of pearls around her neck impersonating Bea Lillie, telling a joke about her husband to her friends and family. Now, more than six decades later, Tomlin continues to thrive and entertain and bring laughter to the hearts of many. She is truly an icon ... and an openly lesbian one at that.

During her time at Detroit’s Wayne State University studying medicine, Tomlin came to the realization that her calling was in the theatre arts, for which she moved to New York City to follow that calling. She luckily and quickly built a following with her character comedy performances at local coffee shops and cafés.

“I think my style or inclination is toward character comedy because of growing up in inner city Detroit in an old apartment building with every kind of person you could imagine,” says Tomlin during a recent phone interview.

“Having so much exposure to so many kinds of people — you know at their highest and their lowest, really seeing how much they were alike more than different, you know under the surface. It kind of fostered affection for me, I guess.”

Over her illustrious career, Tomlin has created a number of memorable characters including: Edith Ann, a snotty 6-year-old; Ernestine, an indignant telephone operator; Crystal, a hang-gliding quadriplegic; Sister Boogie Woman, a 77-year-old Blues revivalist; and Madame Lupe, the oldest living beauty expert.

Tomlin says she mostly attributes this need to act out characters to two influential people in her life; first was her mother — of whom, she admits, that she would record her conversations, and second was her childhood recreation center leader, Ms. Fitzgerald, who taught her tap and ballet.

“My mother was very witty, of course I didn’t know it until I was 17 or 18 years old, meaning I didn’t recognize it that my mother was so witty,” says Tomlin with a laugh. “I could hear her every rejoinder and every footnote that she’d make; she was delightful.”

At her neighborhood recreation center, Tomlin quips that Ms. Fitzgerald taught her embroidery, tap dancing and ballet. “She was like my heroine,” Tomlin boasts. “I absolutely adored her.”

“I learned Jacks ... umm, I was a Jacks champion, and I was a pitcher on a police athletics baseball team,” she says dryly.

Tomlin’s career basically started with her television debut in 1966 on the variety series, The Garry Moore Show and erupted into what

it is today, 45 years later. She went on to join the cast of Laugh-In, and she co-wrote — with her partner in business and in life Jane Wagner — six of her own comedy television specials during the ’70s and early ’80s. Though, Tomlin admits that Wagner is the real writer.

“If there is any excellence cut to the level, the verbal level, Jane is going to contribute to that because she is truly a gifted writer,” says Tomlin. “I get a physical idea in my mind or a visual idea about body language, and I do a lot of one-line observations, but Jane can create a world. She’s upstairs right now writing a script for a new television series.”

Tomlin continues with a chuckle: “I do belong to the Writer’s Guild and I have Writer’s Guild awards, but Jane is the real writer in my opinion.”

Along with those Writer’s Guild awards, Tomlin has garnered two Tony Awards, one as a Lifetime Achievement and one for her role in the Broadway one-woman hit of Wagner’s The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe.

As a collaborator and, in many ways, an inspiration to many of Tomlin’s acts, Jane has a real touch for comedy, admits Tomlin.

Remembering a moment where the couple was following the $32,000 book deal that Snooki (Jersey Shore) recently signed, Tomlin says: “Jane looked at me and said ‘If you don’t got it, flaunt it!’ I want to use that in my act ... I want to see Snooki in a situation in the White House.”

“But my dream for Jane would be to write another Broadway show like The Search,” she humbly adds.

Big screen notches include her Oscar Award-nominated role in Nashville (1975), the 1980 comedy-hit 9 to 5 with Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton, I Heart Huckabee’s with Dustin Hoffman, and 2006’s Prairie Home Companion co-starring with Meryl Streep. On the small screen, she has starred in the HBO special And the Band Played On, and has guest-starred on Will & Grace, Desperate Housewives and Damages, just to name a few. She had joined the cast of Murphy Brown in 1996, for two seasons.

Tomlin describes Candice Bergen (who played the role of Murphy Brown) as “elegant and a patrician.”

“One day I was in her dressing room,” she recalls, “we were going to run lines or something, and her datebook was out on the table and I could see she had written things like ‘prepare for vacation to French country house for the summer’ and ‘dinner with Mike Nichols.’ And in my book it would have things like ‘go to Office Depot.’”

But Tomlin also says she’s down-to-earth, a bit of a tomboy (it’s in her gait, she says) and mischievous.

“We had a table reading before an episode and we had a guest coming in, and so Candice walked by and dropped salt in someone’s hair without them knowing, and it looked like they had really bad dandruff,” says Tomlin, laughing.

Tomlin has reconnected with Bergen over the last three years on an online community owned and operated by women, for women, wowowow.com. Other celebrities who participate on the site include Whoopi Goldberg and Lesley Stahl.

Tomlin returns to Salt Lake City on April 16 for a one-night “all-new” show.

Tomlin says she accepts all, if not already booked, invitations to perform, but she also likes to come back to Salt Lake since she has several friends who live here.

“Oh, will you mention this ... well, she probably won’t see a gay paper,” Tomlin starts, “but a friend from Salt Lake, Cindy Gottschall, is going to the show.”

Tomlin met Gottschall a few years back while on the road, and runs into her at her shows across the country from time to time.

Tomlin admits that other than seeing her friends, she doesn’t partake in many of the pleasures Utah has to offer: “No I don’t ski, I don’t do any of that stuff. I tried skiing once up at Vail or somewhere, but you know growing up in Detroit I don’t like to be cold.”

“I don’t like doing anything where my limbs are at risk, I take all my chances on stage.” Q Tickets $39.50–59.50, kingtix.com or 801-581-7100, April 16, 7:30 p.m. at Kingsbury Hall. Tomlin’s entire career in art, text, photos and videos can be found at lilytomlin.com.

A pril 1 4 , 2011 | issue 17 8 | QSa lt L a k e | 3 1

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

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Jennifer Nettles gives the gays some Sugar(land)

Countrysuperstar speaks out on homophobia, girl crushes and being a gay man

By Chris Azzopardi

A

s the lovable lady half of supergroup Sugarland, Jennifer Nettles is country’s answer to the contemporary diva – she can belt like the best of ’em. And though she has one hell of a voice, as does bandmate Kristian Bush, she doesn’t just use it to sing the arena rock-inspired songs from their fourth and latest album, _The Incredible Machine_. She uses it to speak to the duo’s gay fans – even though so few country artists do.

In this rare sit-down with the singer, a powerhouse since “Stay” stormed the charts and nabbed a Grammy in 2009, Nettles talks coming out in country music, how she still loves her lesbians even if one of them – a former Sugarland band member – sued her, and why Adam Lambert turns her on.

With all of its arena rock and pop influences, _The Incredible Machine_ is a departure from your country roots. Does Sugarland still consider itself a country act? You know, I’m so grateful that country music found us first. I love all kinds of music, and clearly not only can you tell from _The Incredible Machine_ but even from songs on past albums or our cover choices. I just love to sing all kinds of music. That being said, I consider myself country if you like country, and if you don’t like country but you like what we do – awesome! I love that, too. I think it’s really what speaks to the human spirit.

As an artist, it always feels a little bit squishy to try to answer that question – because you never want to be pinned in one way or another, while at the same time I feel very proud to be called country. Obviously I’m so grateful that they play us on country radio and that country fans love it, and I’m grateful that pop fans love it as well. So what do I call it? I call it good.

Considering your cover choices, from Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable” to “Love Shack” and even “Stayin’ Alive,” I’m starting to think that maybe Jennifer Nettles has the musical taste of a gay man. (Laughs) Yes, absolutely! What’s not to love about that?

And you would definitely think that if you saw our current show, because we’ve been closing with “Like a Prayer” by Madonna.

See, it’s so true. I called it here first. I will totally credit you with it. If people ask me, “What are your musical tastes?” from now on I will say that of a gay man. (Laughs)

Around the time the album was released, there was a higher reporting of suicides among gay youth – and the song “Stand Up” from _The Incredible Machine_ felt particularly relevant.

What was on your mind when you wrote it? There wasn’t one specific event that inspired it. It’s really a song about finding one’s own voice wherever you feel unseen or wherever it is you feel you need to be empowered. Just as you’re saying it resonated with you regarding the bullying and gay teen suicides, if the song can be a place of healing and a place of inspiration – man, I mean, that’s why we do what we do as artists. So there wasn’t one specific event that inspired that song as much as it is, I guess I should say both fortunately and unfortunately, a message that people need to hear and have needed to hear throughout the ages.

Do you get much feedback from gay people who are inspired by your music? People sometimes will reach out with their personal stories. I did Nate Berkus’ television show a number of months ago

e )

when we were about to release _The Incredible Machine_, and in the audience was a woman who was a huge fan. She spoke to how our music really helped to empower her when she was coming out.

So I do get stories like that at times.

Sometimes people share them out and openly and say “this was my specific experience as a gay person”; sometimes people just say, “Hey, you helped me through a hard time,” and they don’t go into specifics. But we’ve had coming out stories, and I feel honored to be able to help someone through that part of their life, for sure. All one really wants is to be seen as who we are, and to be able to be a part of that and be associated with someone who is coming into themselves – regardless of it being coming out, or figuring out what you want to do in your life – that’s a beautiful time and a beautiful thing.

There’s always a risk too, though, when someone comes out. I read that after country artist Chely Wright came out, she lost a considerable chunk of her fan base because she’s living openly as a lesbian now. Do you think a country artist coming out really has a big affect on their fan base? I don’t know. People would tend to, I’m sure, stereotype quoteunquote country fans as being either more conservative or less tolerant or more close-minded.

I don’t know when I look out at my audience. I am sure there are people who may be intolerant that are in the audience, but when I look out there, I see such a wide demographic that it’s hard for me to speak specifically. And I definitely can’t speak for all country artists – nor could I speak to all country fans as to whether there would be an affect. One would think stereotypically that there would be. I would like to think not. But at the end of the day, the reality is in many ways, as a culture in this country, we still have far to go as far as people understanding, being educated and being comfortable with different lifestyles, whatever that may be.

Many country stars have actually addressed gay issues in the press, including Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts and Dolly Parton.

And yet we still don’t have a major country artist who’s out. Why do you think that is? I don’t know why that is. Let’s discuss here for a moment, because clearly there are gay country fans. I can’t even speak as to why. Why do you think? Maybe we might come up with something here.

My guess is that they’re putting their career on the line; it’s scary for a country artist to come out in such a conservative arena, as you said. But isn’t it scary for any artist to come out? Even in mainstream pop it is. I mean, thank god – and I’ve said this before – for Adam Lambert. Thank god for eyeliner. I have needed a sexy man to wear eyeliner since The Cure.

Since Robert Smith no one has really been able to do it for me in that way.

We need a country artist who’d wear eyeliner. Right! But then, well, when you look at that we don’t even allow – come on. We will allow eyeliner on the girls, that’s for sure, but as far as image maybe it’s not conducive to – I don’t know why. But someone needs to.

separated at birth Let’s talk about the legal battles that you had with ex-member Kristen Hall, who sued you last year for profits she said she was owed. Did it leave a bad taste in your mouth for lesbians? (Laughs) Ba-dum-ch! Well, obviously, I’m not allowed to speak about the legal battles, but I love lesbians. Come on, let’s be honest. It doesn’t matter. Whatever. How hypocritical of me would that be to say I had a bad experience with this one individual or a good experience with this other individual and it totally makes me think that everyone is like that? Oh, please. It doesn’t. But I love the way you asked the question.

Who’s your girl crush? There are so many wonderful women out there. As far as actresses go, I love Meryl Streep.

You really _are_ a gay man. Maybe this will continue the whole idea that I’m actually a gay man: I have this thing for British women. I love Judi Dench. I love Helen Mirren. I love these women, and I definitely do have big girl crushes on them. I’m trying to think as far as musicians go. I mean, what’s not to love about Beyoncé?

I read that you want to be on _Glee_. I would love to be on _Glee_, thus furthering the myth that I’m a gay man. (Laughs) I was thinking they could work you in as Kurt’s mom in flashbacks. What do you think of being the dead mother of a gay son? I would love it!

Anyway they could work me in – I would be the janitor sweeping the hallway of the school and cleaning out lockers, I don’t care.

chines? Ooh, I hate to say it, and I’m a bit of a “Luddite,” but I would say that if I did not have my Blackberry it would be a challenging time.

It keeps me connected. Unfortunately – maybe people will gasp – I don’t get into a lot of toys and games, like the apps. I wish I loved them, because I feel like there’s a club out there that I’m not a part of. (Laughs)

I also think, as I’m sitting in my dressing room right now looking around, for me as a singer, a humidifier is a pretty friggin’ incredible machine. And I just got a new place and I actually have a dishwasher, and that’s an incredible machine. I didn’t have one for years. I took it out to put a wine refrigerator in – because I have my priorities! Q

Based on your music videos, you’re actually a really great actress. You’re so convincing in the “Stay” video, but then “Stuck Like Glue” just reinforces how great of an actress you really are. (Laughs) Or how great of a stalker I am.

Do you have any interest in acting? I do! And I actually love it. Theater is definitely something that, through the course of my childhood and even in college, I enjoyed participating in. I would love to do theater, or as far as movies or television goes, if the right thing came along I would definitely entertain it. Right now everything has been so focused on my music career, and obviously music is my first love, so I’ve been focused there. But if the right thing came along, absolutely! I mean obviously I love doing it; I have a lot of fun in the videos. I would definitely be open to that.

So just when I thought you couldn’t get any more adorable, you dance around in your pajamas in Sara Bareilles’ “Uncharted” video.

How did that come about? Sara just reached out and said, “Hey, I’m doing this video and asking all my friends to be a part of it. Would you consider doing it?” I was like, “Sure, just tell me when you need it.” She wrote: “I need it tomorrow!” And I was like, OK, I’m just going to do something casual. So when I got up that morning, I said, “Hey, I’m going to do that in my pajamas – that’s casual enough.” And that’s what I did. It was fun!

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 30 ABRAVANEL HALL

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In the spirit of _The Incredible Machine_, what are some of your favorite incredible maA pril 1 4 , 2011 | issue 17 8 | QSa lt L a k e | 33

FOOD&DRINK

How hot are your buns? ...Ours are amazing!

Hot Cross Buns!

801.433.1170

Try our wild coconut, curried wild rice

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Christopher’s Community Monday Mixer Half off appetizers & $7 Selected martinis. Piano bar, All night

restaurant review Evolutions at Trio in Cottonwood

filled with crab and shrimp and then ladled with a creamy tomato sauce and three cheeses. We had the waiter bring us just one of the cannelast Saturday night my sister and loni as an appetizer and we loved it. The cheese I went to Trio at the Cottonwood Heights was hot and stringy and I enjoyed the sauce location. My sister, Lottie Ann, lives out which is similar to one I make myself. In New that way and told me how originally Trio Orleans they call it remolade but I make it as a had taken the location from a popular restausimple cream sauce and then add tomato paste rant known as Rivers. She said Trio changed till I get the color and flavor I want. I’m sure they the space and the food so much that she had make it differently at Trio but you get the idea. stopped going there. So she was happy to be The cannelloni was so delicious we could have able to take a fresh look at the place.

My friend, and occasional wine-tasting buddy, eaten more.

Our waiter was a friendly and nice looking Christian Freich, has taken the helm for both of the Trio restaurants. Christian worked in Park City young man who took over when Christian had to leave to go to the other restaurant downtown. for several years managing Bill White eateries He had Lottie try the tuna which seemed a bit and has now come back to the valley to do his magic. Christian was the manager of Whaso for a complicated to me and I told him to surprise while which, in my opinion, may be the best res- me but I wanted some kind of meat. The waiter taurant in Utah. One thing you must know about brought me the short-ribs but handed them to me reluctantly.

Christian is that he is an expert sommelier and The tuna was served in an orange sauce, just has been to culinary school, quite a pedigree a tad sweet, and came on a bed of nicely made these days for a restaurant manager. risotto. On top, there was a poof of those rockets When my sister and I arrived at Trio, we were greens in light vinaigrette. The tuna was fully in the middle of that late snowfall and I truly cooked, not just seared which for an entrée is suspected the place to be pretty calm. I was just the way I like it. wrong. It was packed and the parking lot was On my plate were three, nicely braised shortfull. We walked through a door that used to enter ribs a la Yankee pot roast. The ribs were crisp into the bar but now the bar has a new name and is separate from Trio but it is still serving the on the outside and very tender and soft inside.

They were served with a yummy, creamy polenta Trio food to its guests. The bar looked inviting and fun and reminded me of New Orleans. At the and a brunoise of veggies. I did have some comments about the ribs, as I knew the waiter front of the restaurant there is a beautiful patio wanted me to have either the steak or the pork. for outdoor dining, too bad we were having an I thought the ribs needed to be served with a April winter! nice brown sauce and a lot of it, and I would We were met by Christian who had saved us a nice alcove where we could view all the goings have liked to see large chunks of carrots and on, and I really liked the colorful booths and con- other root vegetables on the side rather than the smaller kibble-like chunks, but the flavor was temporary paintings on the walls. Once again, there and I enjoyed my meal. Some of our dishes both Lottie and I were reminded of our trip to New Orleans. It was prom night and teenage girls were beautifully plated. The flat bread and the tuna were exceptionally beautiful to look at. were floating by in tool and taffeta.

From my cellar I brought a New I don’t know why but it made both Café Trio — Zealand Cloudy Bay un-oaked of us, two old confirmed bachCottonwood Chardonnay. For an un-oaked elors, laugh and laugh!

6405 S 3000 East chard, this had great body and Our food was delightful.

801-944-8746 depth and a really beautiful nose.

Christian brought us pizza-oven triodining.com Since I rarely drink Chardonnay it flat bread topped with caramelized M–Th 11 am–9 pm was a nice change and I will readonions and sided with a delicious F–Sa 11 am–10 pm ily recommend this wine to my goat cheese spread laced with CHEF DREW’S SCORE: customers at the wine store. herbs, roasted tomatoes and 89 For dessert we had a housered bell peppers, a great beginmade, apple Betty topped with vaning. We washed down this very nilla bean ice cream; delicious and a perfect end nice starter with a glass of Vietti Arneis, a wine to our wintry supper. If you’re like my sister, and special ordered by Trio. Arneis reminds me of have stopped going to the Trio in Cottonwood, the French Viognier; it’s full-bodied, honeyed, it’s time to go back. With the guidance of fragrant and a bit peachy. We loved it with the Christian Freich, I know it will just get better and flat bread. better. I rate it at 89 points. Q One of the specials was crepe cannelloni

By Chef Drew Ellsworth

L

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134 W Pierpont Ave, SLC – 801.519.8515 – christophersutah.com

QSaltLake Tweets @QSaltLake 3 4 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 17 8 | A pril 1 4 , 2011

$10 OFF BRING THIS COUPON IN FOR

dining guide Frida Bistro Sophisticated Mexican cuisine, wine and spirits 545 W. 700 South 801-983-6692 Loco Lizard Cantina Serious mexican food since 1999 at Kimball Junction.

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Omar’s Rawtopia Restaurant Organic live food 2148 S. Highland Dr. 801‑486‑0332 Sage’s Cafe The freshest and healthiest cuisine possible 473 E 300 South 801‑322‑3790 Tin Angel Cafe Local food, music, art.

Serving lunch, dinner and Saturday brunch 365 W 400 South 801‑328-4155

Trolley Wing Company We’re Back! Open daily noon to 11pm 550 S 700 East 801-538-0745

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389 West Winchester Rd (6400 South), Murray

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Vertical Diner Vegetarian restaurant open seven days a week 10 a.m.–9 p.m.

2280 S West Temple 801‑484‑8378

You have chosen the perfect day… now choose the perfect caterer

To get listed in this section, please call 801‑649‑6663 and ask for Brad or e-mail brad@ qsaltlake.com

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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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Sunday Brunch 11am–3pm A pril 1 4 , 2011 | issue 17 8 | QSa lt L a k e | 35

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

Q

Q nightlife New, gay social network launches in Utah

bar map J

CLOSED Temple Square

100 S. 200 S.

Intermodal Hub

V 300 S.

600 S

City Hall

200 EAST

MAIN ST

500 S

STATE ST

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Trax Line

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able to get done in three months,” said Noriega.

Born in Orange County, Calif., Noriega moved to Utah eight years ago for school and lays claim to a number of different business ventures with a focus on banking — a savvy he attributes to his Sicilian mother. His immigrant roots, from Sicily and Mexico, worked hard to turn a small restaurant into a lucrative franchise.

“They literally turned a hole-in-thewall restaurant into a multimillion-dollar venture,” said Noriega.

The key to their success in The Gay Hot Spot, both men say, is their ability to take their best attributes in a way that blends their professionalism with the most exciting parts of their lives.

“We’ve turned our lives into our job,” said Noriega.

The launch party on Friday promises to be an upscale event replete with valet parking, food and beverage staff, security and a call to dress like you give a damn. A presentation for the launch of thegayhotspot.com will turn off the countdown clock and turn on the new site along with some speeches and toasts and no doubt confetti of some kind. Noriega is expecting a host of community stakeholders, activists, business owners and personalities to attend.

An open invitation has also been posted on Facebook under events: The Gay Hot Spot.

“It’s going to be the place to be this weekend,” said Noriega.

And the fun won’t stop there, the men prom-

600 W

and continually rotating personality profile of members of the gay community — six at a time.

There are a lot of reasons for (The Gay Hot Spot) to be the first page you log into every day,” Noriega said.” The fact that everything you need is going to be there. That’s the flare. And that’s what no one else has.”

It all began after a week-long trip to Puerto Vallarta last year in which Ogden found himself in a little vacation romance with a hot local man who shall, or may in fact, actually be, nameless.

Glued to the hip of his local connection, Ogden saw a side of the city that he knew was not available to most visitors and an idea was born.

“How cool would it be to visit a city and instead of spending a week getting to know the place, have a resource where the people that live there tell you where to go?” Ogden mused.

The Provo native has a history of sales and marketing including a near 10-year stint with Squatter’s Pub Brewery in Salt Lake City. He met Noriega last June and left the beer and brats behind to work at CityDeals.com where the two would quickly realize how much they had in common.

“We’ve both taken risks for each other,” Ogden said. “He took a risk in hiring me (at CityDeals.com) and I took a risk of leaving my job of nine and a half years.”

And in one afternoon this January, the two sat down together for a little brainstorming session and in a matter of a few hours had mapped out a plan that both found not only feasible, but exciting.

“I’m actually shocked at how much we were

Salt Palace

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W

Gateway Mall

Trax Line

Arena

By Michael Westley

ith more than five generations of entrepreneurial spirit between them, it was only a matter of time before the creative workings of Daniel Ogden and Fernando Noriega caused the next big splash in Salt Lake City.

And with visions of a global branding dancing in their heads, the 32(ish)-year-old Ogden, and 28-year-old Noriega, are set to launch “The Gay Hot Spot” this Friday with a lavish soiree that promises to be a who’s-who of Utah gays at Noriega’s Holladay home. So far, the brainy and popular duo have done a good job building up the hype for their new internet-based venture.

But what exactly is it?

In a nutshell, The Gay Hot Spot is an interactive and informative social-based website that aims to be a veritable catch-all for the gay community in matters of where to go, what to do, how to do it and why. Listings and reviews of restaurants, clubs, nightlife, movies, theater, private social events and personality profiles will be the central focus of content, which will be driven by in-house and advertising-based listings as well as posts, comments and information supplied by the community. An events calendar will keep it all in order.

“It’s not just us,” Noriega said. “It’s the community submitting items and telling everyone what’s happening and where.”

The site is themed around the letter ‘G’ with five main areas of interest: The G-Spot: where to go; G-Shots: photos submitted by users; OMG: columns and content by local folks; G-Clips: user-posted videos and the G-6: an interactive

Salt Lake City

600 N.

K 2100 S

ise. The Gay Hot Spot is scheduled to continue promotions with hosted parties at clubs Metro and JAM in the weeks following the launch along with smaller mixers involving a handful of Wasatch Front-based non-profits.

And while their eyes are fixed firmly on the prize of a successful business venture, Ogden says that he is not only driven by creating a quality product for the gay community but enjoying the process with like-minded people.

“I always envisioned us in the future providing a really cool company and a really great place to get a job,” said Ogden. Q

Q bar guide Weekly Bar Events T Club Try-Angles ● 251 W 900 S • D M N 801-364-3203 • clubtry-angles.com

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3 6 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 17 8 | A pril 1 4 , 2011

SPORTS

Utah roller derby heats up

By Brad Di Iorio

O

ut team members, Katie Woslager and Stacie Newman are rolling with the punches on and off the track, in one of Utah’s thriving, female, roller derby leagues, the Wasatch Roller Derby. On different teams in the league, the Hot Wheelers and the Black Diamond Divas, both have been named to the WDR’s traveling team, Midnight Terror, an honor reserved for the best skaters as they represent the league in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association.

“Katie likes to say that I learned from the best,” Newman said, 27, aka The Instigator, the alter ego moniker Newman uses on the track. “I guess I stir things up, I don’t know ... she gave it to me.”

“See how she is,” retorts Woslager. “I don’t say that.”

“Whatever,” replies Newman, who counts this as her second season and mostly plays a blocker.

Woslager and Newman met in one of Utah’s other roller derby leagues and moved over to the WRD after Woslager was dismissed without explanation.

“I was a ‘fresh meat’ captain and we met during practice,” Woslager said, who admits that she questioned how the other league and teams were organized and ran. “It doesn’t mean that anyone is better or right, it just means you want to do something different.”

Women’s roller derby has been growing in popularity throughout the world and the WRD is part of the West Region in the WFTDA, the international, non-profit governing body and membership organization for leagues to collaborate and network. The WFTDA sets standards for rules, safety, seasons, and determines guidelines for national and international competitions for member leagues. Currently, WFTDA supports 109 member leagues and 53 in an apprentice program.

“Roller derby has always been typified as organic, punk and grass roots, but it has gone mainstream and it has become more physical, with a more competitive aspect to it,” Woslager said.

“If you are interested in an athletic sport it is a good way to meet people, cool girls, and play sports.”

Woslager, 33, aka Smack and Decker, moved from Boise to Salt Lake City and played soccer.

“Everyone was married and had kids and I really didn’t have anything in common with them,” said Woslager, who plays primarily pivot and blocker positions. “I saw an article in a local newspaper and I had been a roller girl for Halloween, so I took my pair of $5 skates and showed up at practice and made it. I caught on fast.”

For Newman, who was born and raised in Bountiful, soccer and basketball were her favorite sports in high school.

PHOTOS BY O’Durgy

“I saw it on TV and I just showed up at practice,” said Newman.

“I didn’t have skates or pads or anything. I played women’s league basketball but I needed something more. This takes over your life. If you are not in practice or a bout, you are going to other bouts.”

Woslager and Newman live together and roller derby takes up a large part of their lives as they practice on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings, and also skate scrimmages with other leagues and teams, on the first and fourth Monday night of each month.

“We often have friendly teasing and banter about playing with and against each other on the track. It is fun that we also have each other to talk about plays, strategies, and our own skating,” Woslager said. “We often ask each other for feedback so that we can help each other improve. Beyond that, we really like to skate, so this brings us together.”

There are even men’s derby leagues and the WDR is affiliated with the Uinta Madness, a new men’s flat track team. WRD also has a recreational league, or non-competitive club, called the Red Rockets.

“I love to play with the men and just got back from Bremerton where I played in co-ed bouts,” Woslager said. “It can cause strain when there are other events that we could be attending and instead we choose derby. You miss your other choices of activities at times. For me, I could do derby activities all the time, but Stacie sometimes wants to have more freedom. I think it is a balancing issue really and finding how to keep your other activities close to you and not neglect them.”

The WDR formed three years ago after the founders, Lacie Peterson, aka Honey DeLunatic, and Brandi Olsen, aka Medusa Damage, left one of Utah’s other roller derby leagues. WDR is part of the Wasatch Women’s Club, a federally recognized 501(c)3 charity and the WDR uses “the sport of roller derby as a means to raise money and awareness for other charitable organizations.”

The official season usually begins in February and lasts until October.

“We have a different purpose, we are philanthropic,” Woslager said. “We dedicate three or four bouts during the season to specific charities and give 40 percent of all dollars earned during that bout to that charity.”

WRD has raised thousands of dollars for charity, including HopeKids, March of Dimes, The Huntsman Cancer Institute, the South Valley Sanctuary Domestic Violence Shelter, Utah Parent Center and the American Diabetes Association. Roller derby, like any other sport, can also be dangerous.

“I wasn’t supposed to skate for three months, but I didn’t listen,” Newman said after tearing her PCL in August but skating in a

championship bout in October. “Honey tore her ACL and Medusa broke a leg after five seasons of roller derby.”

Tryouts for the WRD is scheduled for Saturday, April 16, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Derby Depot, the WRD’s permanent practice and home venue. Women interested in skating and learning more about WRD are invited to come watch practice starting at 9 a.m. and then getting on the track. Minimum skill level required is 25 laps under five minutes around the track, the ability to fall down and get back up and a reasonable ability to stop. Attendees are suggested to bring skates, helmets, and wrist and knee pads but extra gear will be available. Monthly dues average about $40.

Stacie Newman (left) and Katie Woslager are partners in life, but PHOTOS BY O’Durgy opponents on the track The WRD’s next official bout is between the league’s two teams, Saturday, May 7, at 7 p.m., at the Derby Depot, 1415 S. 700 West. Free parking is available. Tickets are $10 in advance at Brown Paper Tickets and $13 at the door. Woslager and Newman will be facing off on their respective teams and the bout should last about an hour and half. The Midnight Terror will face fellow WFTDA traveling team, the Sin City Rollergirls from Las Vegas, in a home bout at the Derby Depot, May 22. Q

For more information about the WRD, go to WasatchRollerderby. com or email wasatchrollerderby@hotmail.com. To learn more about Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby go to wftda.com.

A pril 1 4 , 2011 | issue 17 8 | QSa lt L a k e | 3 7

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

Family Ties Across 1 Climax, e.g.

6 Brief instant 9 “I vant to be alone” actress 14 Vibes not from a vibrator 15 Pay or Cray ending 16 Erection supporter 17 Start of a quote from Meredith Baxter 20 Audre Lorde’s tool 21 They have pressing work 22 Site of iniquity 23 Aladdin’s monkey 24 Shorten leaves of grass 26 More of the quote 33 Gad about 34 Home of T. Bankhead 35 From the top 37 Sorbonne summer 38 More of the quote 42 Low grade 43 Where colonists shot off their muskets in 1775 45 Needing to be set straight 47 Part of an espionage name 48 Firebird composer Stravinsky 49 More of the quote

56 Eugene O’Neill’s daughter 57 Game with “Reverse” cards 58 “Beat it!”

59 Cole Porter’s “Well, ___ You Evah” 60 End of the quote 64 Lance in a robe 65 Wall St. group 66 He danced in Silk Stockings 67 Dorm VIPs 68 From Jan. 1 to now 69 Kneel before, e.g.

70 Prufrock poet’s monogram Down 1 Bound gaily 2 Walk the waiting room 3 “Viva Las Vegas” middle name 4 Mustang’s sch.

5 Chevy model 6 Gay nightlife district of London 7 Joie de vivre 8 Spelunker’s opening 9 Apocalypto director Mel 10 James Buchanan follower, familiarly 11 Clarinet part 12 Ruination 13 Male mating call?

18 Beat soundly

19 Witty Bombeck 23 Very hairy swinger 25 Org. of guys who can knock you out 26 Magazine section 27 Like ambidextrous masturbation?

28 Tearoom Trade author Humphries 29 Variety 30 “___ Get a Witness” (Marvin Gaye) 31 It gets next to you 32 Patty Sheehan supporters 33 YMCA activity 36 Director Craven 38 Dick of Bewitched 39 Not a dup.

40 Way to come 41 Hourly pay 44 Water-to-wine town 46 It grows on trees 49 TV show of this puzzle’s quote 50 Get up 51 Gives a pink slip to 52 Coming soon 53 Stray from the herd 54 The I’s of Sappho 55 Horny lodge member?

60 Unsettle 61 Milk, so to speak 62 Cross-dresser Joan of ___ 63 To this point Puzzle answers on page 37

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

Name the female singer of Sugarland.

nerf tits neel jen ________

_______

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ARE ON PAGE 36

3 8 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 17 8 | A pril 1 4 , 2011

Q giggles

she culture Pride in presentation

By Annalisa Millo

L

esbian fashion in Utah is something of a conundrum. Yes, things have extensively progressed from what we’ve seen in the past but there’s always room for improvement. Improvement that must, and I believe will, be had.

I’ve always thought of Salt Lake City and Park City as the pinnacles of culture in this state, but in comparison with other major cities in the country, they tend to be lagging a few years behind. I’ve found that this rings true not only within the LGBT community, but also within those on the other side of the fence. I’ll err on the side of caution and mention that this should be taken with a grain of salt because, of course, it is a generalization and there are a decent amount of exceptions. Many of whom are Utah natives and who continue to impress me, and I would imagine others, with every encounter.

I have noticed that there is a propensity for casual dress among the LGBT women in Utah.

Put frankly, there’s a particular word that comes to mind when I think about the fashion selection of such: sloppy.

I can’t count the number of times I’ve had a conversation with people unfamiliar with lesbian culture and fashion, and the general (uneducated, some may say) opinion they hold is something of a shoddy ensemble of textile.

Typically this image that they evoke consists of over-sized, soiled, wrinkled and haphazardly thrown together clothing. Maybe the outfit is topped off with shoes that don’t match in any form of the word, and way too many gaudy accessories. In which case, usually the best rule to follow, is that less really is more.

Call me a cynic when it comes to this topic, but I find myself agreeing with the naysayers on occasion, which is certainly more often than I would prefer.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the diversity of the chosen styles within the lesbian community. I applaud the countless women who take that extra few minutes out of their day to take pride in their presentation. The women who prefer be overdressed than under, and who defy the limits of traditionally gender-oriented clothing and hair.

They are those who challenge the boundaries of what it means, and what it takes, to walk down the street and know that they will turn heads, and replace negative stereotypes with awe.

I don’t care if you’re butch or femme or anywhere in between. Dressing up before a night on the town is one of the activities I get most excited about. I realize that not everyone shares the same accord, but let’s face it, the fashion police aren’t walking around patrolling appropriate dress for work and for play, day and evening,

I’m not sure who gave the OK for sweatpants

and for clothing that should be worn strictly in private quarters.

I can’t help but be a little bit amused when I’m out and about and, observe the clothing selection of some of our fellow women. Sometimes I’ll reconstruct what I imagine their thought process is like when they’re sliding into their clothing selection.

“Well, I guess today I’ll close my eyes and the clothes I shall wear will be the ones I stumble over that may or may not be strewn across my bedroom floor.”

I’m not sure who gave the OK for sweatpants to be worn at a bar or restaurant, flip flops when it’s January and there’s six inches of snow on the ground, or to behave in a bar like it’s a strip club (but I guess in that case, clothing wouldn’t be much of a factor anyway.)

I’m not saying that endless amounts of money need to be spent to fluff up a wardrobe, or even

that a person must absolutely possess a chic fashion sense in the first place. These gay boys and their obsession with fashion is intimidating, but I promise it’s really not so shameful as a lesbian to be aware of and keep up with the trends.

But in all seriousness, my humble and only suggestion for the LGBT community is to keep doing whatever it is that you do, but maybe we could step it up even if just a little bit, and dress relevantly and appropriately to your setting.

As the saying goes, first impressions are hard to surpass. How we present ourselves outwardly will affect our behavior, our attitude, and as ambassadors to the LGBT community. Social construct or not, there are reasons why one doesn’t wear pajamas to work, jeans to the theater, or just their underwear to the club. Dressing appropriately doesn’t simply make us feel pretty, it adds to the collective effort to encourage further evolution of human civility as we know it. Q

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A pril 1 4 , 2011 | issue 17 8 | QSa lt L a k e | 39

Q doku

Each Sudoku a unique which one can be logically blank puzzle spaces.has Every row solution must contain of reached each digit, as must withouteach guessing.

Enter digits 1 through 9 intoQdoku the blank spaces. Every row column and each 3x3 square. is actually five must contain one of each digit, as must each column and each 3x3 square. but separate, connected, puzzles.

Qdoku separate, is actually five butSudoku connected, Sudoku puzzles.

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cocktail chatter The Marlene Dietrich

4 9 2

5 3 7 4 9

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FOOD&DRINK

By Ed Sikov

I

t was 2:40 a.m., and I was alone. Dan had flown off again — this time to Tucson and Albuquerque — on a zip-trip for some clinical trials his company was running on an Alzheimer’s drug in which Dan had no confidence. It was a useless trip for a useless drug, and he was miserable about going. I said, “Forget about it.” I ought to know better; of course he didn’t laugh. No, he gave me yet another stern lecture about how Alzheimer’s jokes aren’t funny.

“Oh, but they are!” I replied. “As long as you don’t forget them.”

Anyway, I should be used to sleeping alone, given all of Dan’s work travel, but I’m not. I hate it. I don’t sleep well without him.

Mostly I toss and turn and then lurch zombielike into the kitchen and eat what’s available. I once scarfed down a whole can of Spam during one endless, hungry night. Hey, I always keep it on hand in case of nuclear attack or dirty bomb.

I’m patriotically paranoid, so shut up about Spam.

But that night I wasn’t hungry. What I craved was music — one particular song. My iPod was on the nightstand, so I was right on time when I got the earbuds in, found the song and pushed the ‘play’ button: “It’s a quateh ta thwee/ Theh’s no one in the pwace/ But you and me.

So set ’em up, Joe/ I gotta wittw stowy/ That you oughta know ... ” Yes, it’s the great Harold Arlen-Johnny Mercer song, “One for My Baby,” as sung in 1959 by the still-a-knockout-at-58 Marlene Dietrich.

Dietrich may be unique in that she appears to be the only Hollywood star to have a classic

cocktail named for her. (There are other starthemed cocktails, including the Hi-Ho, named for the Lone Ranger’s rallying cry to his horse — but they’re scarcely classics.) The Marlene has but three ingredients: a lot of rye (or Canadian if you must), a touch of orange curacao and a couple dashes of bitters. But like Dietrich and the allure she created by way of lenses and celluloid, her cocktail is much more entrancing than the sum of its parts. The mini-splash of curacao and the even tinier dash of bitters bring out the rye’s gingery quality — a spicy essence rye doesn’t have on its own.

And like Marlene herself, the cocktail is easy to make. Billy Wilder (Sunset Blvd., Some Like It Hot) used to get Dietrich going at dinner parties by asking her to talk about her sexual exploits.

Well, she’d begin, I did this guy and that gal and this gal and that guy. ... Wilder would coax her into revealing extremely intimate details, Marlene was happy to oblige, and the other guests would fall stone silent, too stunned to speak. At which point Wilder, who always had a punchline ready to roll, would ask the table fauxinnocently, “Are we boring you?”

So there I was, wistening ... er, listening to Marlene, over and over again, in darkness. Since there was no one in the place but she and me, I made myself a Dietrich and drifted off to sleep as soon as I downed the last spicy drop.

The Marlene Dietrich 3 oz rye (or Canadian) ½ tsp of orange curacao 2 dashes of Angostura bitters or to taste Pour ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice; shake; serve. After midnight, or any time, you can also make it on the rocks, but don’t tell anybody. Q

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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.

Cryptogram

This week’s hint: G = O, Theme: Quote by a Los Angeles Unified School District lobbyist about a bill that would require textbooks with LGBT inclusion.

Io bfo lfaxqs lw efwdxpo, twf lywvo vlcpoqlv lybltoog pxvoqtfbqhyxvop, vwuo fwgo uwpogv. __

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4 0 | QSa lt L a k e | issue 17 8 | A pril 1 4 , 2011

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A pril 1 4 , 2011 | issue 17 8 | QSa lt L a k e | 4 1

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

español exprés A different child

By Gus Herrero

I

have always been the “different child,” whether it was in school, home or church.

However, I always managed to do whatever to “fit in.” Many of us are, or still striving to be, “normal,” but what the heck is that? How do I become normal? When am I not normal enough?

In my desire as a young child to be normal I did everything my parents wanted: I went to the schools they wanted me to go, became friends with only the people they thought were “good enough,” and probably the most important thing for them — I attended their church, went to Sunday school, priesthood and so forth. Don’t get me wrong, I loved doing all those things, but at the beginning I was just looking for my parents’ happiness.

I was all smiles, but inside I was always

wondering if God really loved me for who I really am. I started to attend church because I had the desire to be closer to God and somehow he would help to overcome that “different aspect” that my religion didn’t like or didn’t even want to talk about.

I fulfilled all the “requirements” to be a good priesthood holder, but I was still feeling empty.

Then I turned 19. Going on a mission, I thought, would help me forget about my feelings and be “normal” for once. For two years I shared what I thought was the gospel of Christ — love and compassion for others. I even felt it in my heart.

I don’t think there was any other moment in my life when I felt so close to my Maker. He really loved me for who I was, but my religion didn’t allow me to be happy.

For two years I had many companions and I loved them as brothers. It never occurred to me to try anything with them. For two years I didn’t have any desire to have sex. I think I only used “my little friend” to join me when I needed to go to the restroom. Yes, I was happy on the surface, but when it was just God and I, he knew I had other feelings that none but Him knew about.

Once again I was home. Yes, I had served two years in the mission field, but as soon as I got back home, everything seemed to go back to where it started — people trying to control my

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life and make decisions for me. The first decision was to attend a Mormon university. Then to marry a beautiful young woman. But life had a different plan for me.

I only lasted two semesters in the Mormon school. Since I came back from my mission I was speaking my mind and I wouldn’t let anyone put me down because they found out that I met the man who would change my life 360 degrees.

All I can say now is that I don’t give a crap if people think I’m normal or not. I will always say what I think whether people like or not. I had

Un niño diferente

By Gus Herrero

S

iempre he sido el “niño diferente,” si estaba en la escuela, el hogar o la iglesia.

Sin embargo, yo siempre me las arregle para “encajar.” Muchos de nosotros estamos, tratando de ser “normales,” pero qué diablos es eso? ¿Cómo puedo ser normal? Cuando no estoy lo suficientemente normal?

En mis deseos como niño a ser normal hice todo lo que mis padres querían: fui a las escuelas en las que quería que vaya, y probablemente lo más importante para ellos — asistí a la iglesia, ustedes saben, escuela dominical, sacerdocio y así sucesivamente. No me malinterpretéis, me encantó hacer todas esas, pero al principio yo estaba buscando la felicidad de mis padres.

Yo era todo sonrisas, pero en mi interior siempre me preguntaba si Dios realmente me amaba por que lo realmente era. Empecé a asistir a la iglesia porque tenía el deseo de estar más cerca de Dios y de alguna manera, pensé que me ayudaría a superar el “aspecto diferente” que mi religión no le gustaba. Cumplí con todas las “exigencias,” pero yo seguía sintiéndome vacío.

A continuación, cumplí 19. Tengo que ir a las misión pensé, tal vez eso es lo que me ayude a olvidarme de mis sentimientos y ser “normal” de una vez.

Durante dos años compartí lo que yo pensaba que era el evangelio de Cristo — amor y compasión por los demás. Incluso sentí el amor de Cristo en mi corazón. Yo creo que no hubo ningún otro momento de mi vida cuando me sentí tan cerca de mi Hacedor.

enough trying to please others. I had enough trying hard to make people like me. I’ve had enough of trying to say what others want to hear.

I know now that my Heavenly Father loves me for who I am. I know he cares about me. When I felt alone and I had no one around me, he comforted me. I know that he lives and even though I didn’t fit in my religion, he still loves me for who I am. I see miracles every day. When I thought that I had lost a lot of time and my dreams were about to be flushed, he showed me that he loves all his children. Q En esos dos años tuve muchos compañeros y los ame como a mis hermanos. Nunca se me ocurrió intentar nada con ellos. En esos dos años yo no tenía deseos de tener sexo. Yo creo que solo utiliza “mi amigo” solo cuando yo tenía que ir al baño. Sí, yo era feliz en la superficie, pero cuando estaba a sólo Dios y yo, él sabía que tenía otros sentimientos que ninguno sabia solo el.

Regrese a casa finalmente. Sí, yo había desempeñado el cargo durante dos años en el campo misional pero tan pronto como volví a casa, todo parece ir de nuevo al punto de partida — personas que trataban de controlar mi vida y tomar decisiones por mí. La primera decisión era asistir a una universidad Mormona.

Luego de casarse con una joven. Sin embargo la vida tenía un plan diferente para mí.

Sólo dure dos semestres en BYU. Desde que regresé de mi misión empece a decir lo que realmente pensaba y no dejaría que nadie me desestime por el hecho de haber encontrado al hombre que hizo que mi vida diera un giro de 360 grados.

Todo lo que puedo decir ahora es que no doy una mierda si la gente piensa que si soy normal o no, al fin y al cabo que es normal? Yo siempre digo lo que pienso así les gusta o no. Tuve suficiente tiempo tratando de agradar a los demás.

Ya he tenido bastante de tratar de decir lo que otros quieren escuchar.

Ahora sé que mi Padre celestial me ama por quién soy. Sé que él cuida de mí. Cuando me sentía solo y no tenía a nadie en torno a mí, él me reconfortó. Yo sé que él vive y, todavía me ama por quién soy. Veo milagros cada día en mi vida. Cuando yo pensaba que lo había perdido todo y mis sueños estaban a punto de ser tirados por la borda, me mostró que Él ama a todos sus hijos. Q

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obituary

Chris Holden, 1958–2011

Chris Allen Holden passed away Tuesday, April 5, 2011 in the Philippines following a heart attack. He was born Nov. 25, 1958 in s Kalispell, Mont., to Harold “Hal” Irving and Elaine Brinton Holden. Chris was well liked and respected by everyone he met, whether on a personal or professional level. His work life took him all over the world, but he most enjoyed spending time at home with his family and friends. He always lived life to the fullest.

Chris was always a good source for advice and laughter. Chris was greeted by his father, who passed away on Sep. 23, 2010. Together they will watch over their surviving family: his mom, Elaine, sister, Connie (Jim) Cozzi, niece Lindsey Cozzi and nephew Patrick Cozzi. A memorial will be held Sat. April 16, at 4 p.m. at Club Try-Angles, 251 W. 900 S. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Seager Memorial Clinic, PO Box 15043 Ogden, or The Muscular Dystrophy Association.

dept. of corrections In a story in the last issue about financial issues with the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire, a graphic showing trends in the revenue and expenses over seven years had the incorrect emperors and empresses for each year. The correct graphic is below. QSaltLake regrets the error. $100,000 EXPENSES

90,000 80,000 70,000 60,000 50,000 REVENUES

40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 0

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

100% 90%

% OF REVENUE GIVEN TO CHARITIES

80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%

% OF REVENUE EXPENSED

0

A pril 1 4 , 2011 | QSa lt L a k e | 43

A pril 1 4 , 2011 | issue 17 8 | QSa lt L a k e | 43

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Q scopes

even if you don’t act on them, can build intimacy, laying the foundation of a happy home.

Think of yourself, Pisces!

By Jack Fertig The Sun is aligning with Eris stoking competition and identity issues. Venus in Pisces is in semi-sextile with both helping to show keys to cooperation and conciliation. Consider how your own achievements can raise not just your stature, but others’ also.

e

ARIES (March 20–April 19) Take care of No. 1 first, but part of that is so you can be in service to those around you who need help. When you’re clear on who you are, you can be the most generous star in the sky.

r

TAURUS (April 20–May 20) Think about your last will and testament, just as an exercise in considering who and what is important in your life.

When you’re gone, what will be left for whom?

The real question: What do you want to achieve before then?

t

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your social goals are now clearer than your personal ambitions. Feeling vague about your career may just signal a transition that can lead to greater clarity. Talking about it with your friends can prove very helpful.

y

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Work and accomplishment are keys to fulfillment. Striving for a personal best is more meaningful than competing against others. Share work and credit to get more accomplished and to learn from others how to do a better job.

u

LEO (July 23–August 22) Be as loud and outspoken as you like.

If that gets you into arguments treat them as a game. If you don’t enjoy arguing, why bother? Playfulness is sexier than conquest, although you don’t need help in that department either!

o

LIBRA (September 23–October 22) Be very clear about whom you’re competing with and whom you’re competing against. Empathizing with colleagues helps, but clear verbal communication is more reliable than warm, fuzzy feelings.

p

SCORPIO (October 23–Nov 21) Take appropriate responsibility for boosting morale at work. Small competitive games can help bring people together.

Reevaluate your health and fitness regimen.

Remember, you’re out for a personal best, not to outdo others.

[

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22–Dec 20) Even in a contest pushing for your own best performance is always the most important part. Trying to best others is secondary, and if that becomes your goal you can cause rancor among people in your family or community.

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AQUARIUS (Jan 20–Feb 18) Open your heart before opening your mouth. If being cleverer than your friends is easy or important, you need new friends–or maybe they do. Who really does count in your life and why? Tell them – not for their sake, but for your own.

w

PISCES (Feb 19–March 19) Sweetness and empathy can be your best traits when they’re not a cover for codependency. Be a bit ruthless and think of yourself now. Cultivate the traits that will drive you to success. If you want to help others you’ll do it better from a position of strength.

VIRGO (August 23–September 22) An erotic competition with your lover can help you to come together in more ways than one. Get creative! Sharing ideas,

puzzle solutions

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THUMP!

CAPRICORN (Dec 21–Jan 19) Whether you’re defending your family from others or yourself from your family, empathetic communication will diffuse a lot of the trouble. Practical techniques, sensible logic and the “tried and true” aren’t really helping.

Trust more in your intuition.

Jack Fertig, a professional astrologer since 1977, is available for personal and business consultations in person in San Francisco, or online everywhere. He can be reached at 415-864-8302, through his website at starjack.com, and by email at QScopes@qsaltlake.com

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A pril 1 4 , 2011 | issue 17 8 | QSa lt L a k e | 45

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y hands were trembling, making the task of tying the hand-marbled tie, that looks like the eye of a peacock feather, a frustration I’d have rather not have. I snaked the tie form around my neck in a huff, snapping it to the floor, and I plopped myself at the end of the bed, my face in my hands. I started to cry.

Prior to the last ten months, I had been thankful, in a way, that I had to this point in my life, experienced little of the pain of death.

It had first occurred when I was nine years old. My hamsters Smokey and Trixie, disappeared from their cage, and after two days of tantrums and frantic searches, my father sat me down to tell me that Smokey and Trixie were in hamster heaven. “Tommy,” he comforted with his arm around my shoulder, “you should be happy for them because now they are in the biggest cage they’ve ever known; as vast as a desert, with running wheels the size of ferris wheels.”

When he left my bedroom after giving me a false sense of comfort, I had thought ‘Good grief, Dad, I’m not four,’ and also that I should probably stop going to church.

To be completely honest, I guess in way I had experienced death before Smokey and Trixie. Although, I have little to no memories of my grandparents. My father’s father had died before I was born, and the other three had each passed away by the time I turned three years old; so they were more like fading shadows than experiences. I guess the gene pool in my family needs a little cleaning.

When I was fourteen, my brother, who was sixteen, lost his best friend to a car accident.

I vividly remember the late-night call that forever changed my brother. The howling and whimpering coming from his room across the hall, like a wounded puppy, frightened me.

Then, too see my brother at the pulpit the day of the funeral, speaking about his best friend, had nearly turned me inside out. I ironically had vowed that day that I would stop going to church.

In my senior year of high school, I had already earned nearly all the credits for graduation, so I was only required to take three morning classes. To supplement my time I took on an afternoon shift as a CNA at an old folks home. For several months I had been fortunate enough not to be on duty when one

of the patients died. Of course, that did not last. I eventually witnessed the last breath of one, Lucille Carmichael, an 88-year-old grandmother of six. It was one of the most surreal moments I had ever witnessed; it made me consider going back to church.

Then it wasn’t until eight years later that someone close to me had died. Our time together was, in the scheme of things, relatively short, but we became fast friends — not daily-call or birthday-month celebration kind of friends — but still friends. He had passed on before he was 30; it was shocking to me.

And I’ve heard that death makes people reevaluate their lives ... not me, I just hated life, I was embittered by it. Of course, I eventually let the bitterness and hatred go.

Yet, suddenly now I feel like that death has engulfed me.

Over the last ten months, three people I had known, cared for, have passed on.

It’s infuriating. My fifteen-year-old nephew, after months of being bullied by classmates, thought nothing better than hanging himself, and leaving behind a family that adored him; a family that is still spinning in despair. He was smart, sweet, had this thick flaxen hair and blue-green eyes. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a crush on boy that never noticed him.

There was this eccentric guy, just a few years younger than I, who’s office was next to mine and he had a booming voice. We had worked together for nine years. We didn’t really spend time outside of work, but under our office roof, we shared a great professional relationship. But little did I know that he suffered from depression; he drove his car into a telephone pole fifteen weeks ago.

Most recently, a friend of mine, Craig, suffered a heart attack while vacationing overseas. He was only five years older than I am now. He was also alone in his hotel room.

They say he didn’t suffer, that it was quick and painless. But how can anyone really claim that? How can they be so sure?

I’ve been on this earth for forty-one years and of late, I can’t help but wonder how much time do I have left.

I stood up from the bed, tried my tie again, with success, and slipped on my suit jacket.

I cleared the tears from my face, and walked solemnly out the door to say goodbye to Craig. Q

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