salt lake magazine
UTAH’S GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND ALLY
November 2012 Issue 212 GaySaltLake.com
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4 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | NEWS
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
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editor Seth Bracken arts & entertainment editor/ofc mgr Tony Hobday graphic designer Christian Allred sales Bob Henline contributors Matt Andrus, Chris Azzopardi, Lynn Beltran, Paul Berge, Dave Brousseau, Abby Dees, Jack Fertig, Greg Fox, Charles Lynn Frost, John Hales, Bob Henline, Tony Hobday, Josh Jones, Christopher Katis, Lisa Myers, DavidElijah Nahmod, Petunia Pap Smear, Anthony Paull, Steven Petrow, Ruby Ridge, Ed Sikov, Ben Williams, D’Anne Witkowski distribution Ryan Benson, Peggy Bon, Michael Hamblin, David Kelly, Jason Van Campen publisher
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Copyright © 2012, Gay Salt Lake, Inc. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted or reproduced without written permission from the publisher. 15,000 copies of QSaltLake Magazine are distributed free of charge at over 300 locations across the Wasatch Front. Free copies are limited to one per person. For additional copies, contact us at 801-649-6663. It is a crime to destroy or dispose of current issues or otherwise interfere with the distribution of this newsmagazine. Publication of the name or photograph of any individual or organization in articles or advertising in QSaltLake Magazine is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons. Printed in the U.S.A. on recycled paper. Please recycle this copy when you are through with it.
Put the spark back in your weekend
RHAPSODY IN BLUE An Evening of Gershwin Favorites NOVEMbER 2–3 | 8 PM AbrAvAnel HAll
GEORGE GERSHwiN’S MEGA-HiT fOR SOlO PiANO ANd ORcHESTRA headlines this all-Gershwin concert led by Principal Pops Conductor Jerry Steichen.
JERRY STEicHEN, ConduCtoR JASON HARdiNk, Piano liSA VROMAN, SoPRano
FIscHEr conducts BOLÉRO NOVEMbER 9–10 | 8 PM AbrAvAnel HAll THiERRY fiScHER, ConduCtoR iNGRid fliTER, Piano
ExPERiENcE THE HYPNOTic POwER Of A SiNGlE MElOdY ANd THE iNSPiRiNG POSSibiliTiES Of ORcHESTRAl dANcE MUSic. Ravel is the undisputed master of depicting movement in sound and Boléro is his most popular creation, thanks to its mesmerizing continuous crescendo and frequent appearances in popular culture. But first, Maestro Fischer continues his multi-season journey through the works of Stravinsky with an infectious suite of scenes from the ballet The Fairy’s Kiss. Saint-Saens’ highly virtuosic 2nd Piano Concerto completes the program.
MOZarT, MaHLEr & HILarY HaHN NOVEMbER 16–17 | 8 PM AbrAvAnel HAll THiERRY fiScHER, ConduCtoR HilARY HAHN, Violin
HilARY HAHN RETURNS. utah Symphony favorite and Grammy awardwinner Hilary Hahn performs Korngold’s Violin Concerto. Korngold, called a genius during his youth by Mahler, used themes from four of his own film scores in this lushly romantic masterpiece. Works by two earlier geniuses complete the program—the adagio from the unfinished Symphony no. 10 by Mahler and the “Jupiter” Symphony of the incomparable Mozart.
For tickets call 801-355-ARTS (2787) For tickets (2787) orcall visit801-355-ARTS UTAHSYMPHONY.ORG or visit UTAHSYMPHONY.ORG Ticket prices will increase by $5 on the day of the performance.
6 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | FIRST PERSON
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
from the publisher
Seasons of Change by Michael Aaron michael@ Qsaltlake.com
Well, it’s
5 p.m. the day we go to press. You know, the day we are supposed to have all the files sent over by noon? Well, they haven’t yelled at me yet, so I guess we are OK. So, now to the other changes happening around us. This weekend was in the 70s and it is now 28 degrees and snowing in Park City. Yes, Mother Nature has now presented fall. I love summer. I live in Utah largely because of the summer, simply existing through winter as I wait for summer to return. I hate when summer begins to fade. It’s like being on vacation and realizing it’s only a day or so before you have to go
back home. It means it’s gonna start getting cold. No more camping. No more outdoor festivals. No more tooling around in Utah’s mountains and deserts. No more lying around on a Sunday morning, naked on the deck with a cup of coffee and the newspaper. It strikes me that life at QSaltLake is mirroring the change in the seasons. So ends another ‘season’ in our offices. And so begins a new one. Change is in the air at QSaltLake, and before rumors start spreading like this summer’s wildfires, let me tell you the
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whole story. Yes, we are closing our Sugar House office. No, we are not closing the magazine. We will all be working from home, spending money on people rather than a landlord (though my landlord is a person — and a nice one at that.) People are asking how our fundraising efforts are going to retire the balloon payment. We are still about $15,000 short and are coming up with ways to fix that. In the meantime, we have an angel savior who gave us some breathing room to get the loan paid off, and we are greatly appreciative. So, we are packing boxes this week at the office and I am working on sprucing up a room in the back of the house that has been everything from a screen porch to a bedroom and a breakfast nook to make it into a comfortable office. It was also our office for a year back in 2008. It was with a sense of pride that we were able to move out of the house and into the real world of business. Yes, it does feel like a step backward to move back, but it is better than just shutting down. And now I have to relearn the concepts of work vs. ustime, of being self-motivated to actually getting work done at home and of being organized enough that work does not clutter the rest of life. I was happiest in my life when I was Mr. Organization while working at an advertising agency as a producer. I woke up at a set time. I got into the office at a set time. My
first half hour was spent organizing my day. I managed 14 people, a $3.2 million project and the friction of relationships between computer programmers and creative folks. I marveled that it was even possible. I marveled more that it was me who was doing it. I look forward to the next several months — the next season — of my life. I’ll get to see what I can do.
Yes, we are closing our Sugar House office. No, we are not closing the magazine. We will all be working from home, spending money on people rather than a landlord. And, it’s time to pull out the long-sleeve shirts, the cute sweaters, and the layered look. It’s time to drive through the canyons to see the leaves change color. It’s time to abandon the outdoor projects that never had a prayer of being finished and to work on the indoor projects that don’t have a prayer of being finished. It’s time to see the new arts season and rehearse for the winter concert with the Salt Lake Men’s Choir. It’s time to dust out the fireplace for those ‘stay at home and cuddle with a movie’ nights. Sunday mornings? There’s always the hot tub. I love fall. Q
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8 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | NEWS
NOM releases ad comparing homosexuality to pedophilia The National Organization for Marriage released an ad saying that allowing gay couples to marry would be akin to legalizing pedophilia and incest. “Natural marriage,” the narrator adds, “perpetuates and stabilizes society. Everyone benefits from that, even those who don’t get married. … Same-sex marriage offers no benefit for society as a whole. In fact, it hurts us.” NOM formed in 2007 to help pass California’s gay marriage ban, Proposition 8. View the ad on gaysaltlake.com.
Large corporations run ads favoring same-sex marriage Executives from dozens of businesses in the state of Washington, including Amazon.com, Costco, Microsoft, Nordstrom and REI, have signed on to a full-page ad in the Sunday Seattle Times, endorsing Referendum 74’s same-sex marriage law. The pro-gay marriage group, Washington United for Marriage, purchased the advertisement with part of the $8.9 million it has raised in response to antigay marriage group Preserve Marriage Washington’s television ads that began running last week. Opponents have raised $1.78 million.
Gay couple attacked in North Carolina A gay couple was attacked while walking along a street in North Carolina, WBTV reports. Mark Little and his partner, Dustin Martin, visited Asheville, N.C., last month and were walking along a street when people in a passing car began harassing them. When they asked the harassers to stop, a passenger jumped from the car and attacked them. Little says he and his partner are concerned police aren’t taking the crime seriously. North Carolina’s hate crimes law does not cover sexual orientation.
news
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
10 things you should know happened last month (Full stories at gaysaltlake.com.) Most Americans don’t want government involveD in morals For the first time, a majority of Americans say the government should not promote any particular value set. A Gallup poll conducted last month found that 52 percent of Americans do not favor government promoting any values and 44 percent believe the government should promote “traditional values.” Gallup began asking opinions about the government’s role in promoting value sets in 1993. In 2001, 59 percent believed the government had a role in promoting marriage as a union between one man and one woman, along with other socalled “traditional values.”
Canadian court clarifies duty to disclose HIV to sex partners The Canadian Supreme Court ruled that people with low levels of HIV, who use condoms during sex, are not required to disclose their condition to sexual partners. The Canadian court reviewed two cases concerning the law that can charge those who do not disclose HIV status with sex crimes. Similar laws exist in the United States, but have not been struck down by the courts. “On the evidence before us, a realistic possibility of transmission is negated by evidence that the accused’s viral load was low at the time of intercourse and that condom protection was used,” Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin wrote in the decision.
Come on. For 200 years, it was criminal in every state.”
Pro-boxer Orlando Cruz comes out The currently ranked number four featherweight boxer in the world came out as a “proud gay man” in a press release. Orlando Cruz, from San Juan Puerto Rico (18-2-1, 9 KOs), is a former Olympian and now the first openly gay man in boxing history. “I’ve been fighting for more than 24 years and as I continue my ascendant career, I want to be true to myself,” said Cruz.
U of U researchers receive grant to image HIV virus
GAY Boy SCOUT denied Eagle rank More than 75,000 people have signed an online petition started by the mother of a gay Boy Scout who is being denied the rank of Eagle Scout because of his sexual orientation. Karen Andresen started her Change. org petition after leaders in Boy Scout Troop 212 in the San Francisco Bay Area told her son Ryan that he’d be refused the rank of Eagle Scout after he came out as gay in an effort to address bullying.
Supreme Court judge says homosexual sodomy a ‘no-brainer’ As the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to consider two gayrights cases, one justice has left no doubt how he will use his vote. Justice Antonin Scalia told the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C., that he would not support gay rights. “The death penalty? Give me a break. It’s easy,” Scalia told the conservative group Tuesday. “Abortion? Absolutely easy. Nobody ever thought the Constitution prevented restrictions on abortion. Homosexual sodomy?
Five years after winning a National Institutes of Health grant to set up a center to study HIV, the University of Utah has been awarded $21.8 million more to develop ways to image and understand the structural biology of the virus and cells that it infects. U of U scientists are developing technology to image HIV in the highest possible resolution as it moves through cells, an important step in understanding how HIV uses the machinery of host cells to replicate and spread. Once that process is understood, new treatment and prevention therapies might be developed, said Wes Sundquist, a spokesperson for the project.
Pink Dot attracts LGBT and MormonS More than 100 people gathered in Jordan Park, Sept. 22, to celebrate inclusion and individuality as part of the second annual Pink Dot Utah. The celebration included performances by local bands, speeches by Mormon Church members and culminated with the group gathering together to form one large dot. The celebration is designed as a safe space for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community and their allies, said Pink Dot organizer Ken Kimball. The event is completely family friendly and was as much a picnic in the park as it was a gathering of LGBTs.
NEWS | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 9
november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
Mormon leader calls same-sex parenting a ‘social experiment’ Shortly after decrying the bullying of gays and lesbians, Mormon Apostle Dallin Oaks called same-sex parenting a “social experiment” and said it left children at a disadvantage. Oaks was speaking earlier this month at the Mormon General Conference, a semiannual meeting broadcast to members of the church around the world. “Children need others to speak for them,” Oaks said. “And they need decisionmakers who put their well-being ahead of selfish adult interests.… Children are also victimized by marriages that do not occur.” His remarks were in stark contrast to his previous comments when he urged parents to use “loving understanding, not bullying or ostracism” with their children who have “same-sex attraction.” In 2009, Oaks was under harsh criticism for remarks he made during a speech at Brigham Young University, Idaho, when he compared the Mormons’ struggles with those of the blacks during the civil rights movement. After members of the Mormon Church from around the nation donated heavily to California’s efforts to ban gay marriage in the state, boycotts of Mormon-owned businesses and those who donated to the campaign were started by gay-rights supporters. “In their effect,” Oaks said, “(the boycotts) are like the well-known and widely condemned voter-intimidation of blacks in the South that produced corrective federal civil-rights legislation.” Oaks also condemns the use of the words “gay” and “lesbian” as nouns and said people are not gay, but only have gay relationships and sex. “We should note that the words homo-
sexual, lesbian, and gay are adjectives to describe particular thoughts, feelings, or behaviors. We should refrain from using these words as nouns to identify particular conditions or specific persons. Our religious doctrine dictates this usage. It is wrong to use these words to denote a condition, because this implies that a person is consigned by birth to a circumstance in which he or she has no choice in respect to the critically important matter of sexual behavior,” Oaks said. Another Mormon authority urged gays and lesbians to maintain lifetime celibacy. Neil Anderson acknowledged the dif-
Mia Love would reinstate DADT Republican Utah Congressional District 4 candidate Mia Love said she supports reinstating the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in a debate with Democratic challenger Jim Matheson. The policy was in effect 1993 to 2011, banning gay men and women from serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. “I’m going to trust the boots on the ground to tell us what the best practices are to make sure we keep Americans, our military safe,” she said. “’Don’t ask, don’t tell’ has worked in the past, and if that’s what our military engineers say works, then I am absolutely for it.” However, what Love apparently did not know is that a recent report marking one year since the repeal found no adverse affects from lifting the ban. “The repeal of DADT has had no overall
ficulty of never marrying, dating or being intimate, but said it is possible with the right amount of faith. negative impact on military readiness or its component dimensions, including cohesion, recruitment, retention, assaults, harassment or morale,” the Palm Center report found. In fact, the U.S. military has the same level of readiness as it did in 2011 before the repeal and there was no mass exodus of servicemen exiting in protest, the report found. Love said she supports DADT because it still allows gay men and women to serve, if they really want to, and she supports keeping “sexual orientation out of it.” Matheson, who is the current representative from District 2, voted to repeal the measure and said he supports an open policy allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly. “I think it’s the right thing to do. Anyone who wants to put their life on the line for this country I think they should not suffer from any discrimination for doing so,” he said. Both candidates said they oppose marriage equality.
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10 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | NEWS
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
Utah representatives receive failing grade from HRC Utah’s congressional delegation scored a failing grade concerning queer rights, according to a new report by the Human Rights Campaign. Sen. Orrin Hatch scored 0 percent and Sen. Mike Lee scored 40 percent. Reps. Rob Bishop and Jason Chaffetz also scored 0 percent and Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson scored 5 percent. The HRC rates members of Congress on their support for issues of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. An analysis of the data shows the LGBT community is making gains on Capitol Hill, but anti-LGBT legislators continue to hinder full equality. The average score for House members is 40 percent and 35 percent for Senators, down significantly from the 111th Congress. “While we continue to make advance-
ments toward equality in Washington, the 112th Congress has more anti-equality members set on halting our progress,” said HRC President Chad Griffin in a press release. “Still, we continued pushing the envelope and made history with the first ever hearing and Senate Judiciary Committee approval of the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation repealing the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act. And for the second time, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act.” In the House, 115 members scored 100 percent, including 33 from states with marriage equality and eight from states facing marriage-related ballot measures this November. In the Senate, 22 scored
Qmmunity
Big Gay Fun Bus
Utah Gay Fathers Masquerade Party Join the Utah Gay Fathers for a Masquerade party, a formal event which will feature live music, food, drinks and a silent auction. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Save Q Campaign. Tickets are $20 for members of the UGFA and $40 for non-members. An after-party will take place at Club TryAngles. Both events are 21+. WHEN: Friday, Nov. 9, 7 p.m. WHERE: Celtic Bank Lounge, 268 S. State St., Ste. 300 INFO: utahgayfathers.com/masquerade
Gay Men’s Yoga The Utah AIDS Foundation sponsored Gay Men’s Yoga is every other Thursday, beginning Nov. 1, at the Salt Lake City Library. Gay men of all yoga experience are accepted. In addition to providing the mental and physical health benefits, gay men’s yoga provides a safe and welcoming social environment for gay men. Many people begin with attending gay men’s yoga and get introduced to other activities and events sponsored by the UAF. WHEN: Every other Thursday, starting Nov. 1, 6:30 p.m. WHERE: Salt Lake City Library, 210 E. 400 S INFO: utahaids.org
This Thanksgiving event features the Matrons of Mayhem and a rowdy busload of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and friendly straight gamblers looking for a great time. Take a shot every time someone says, “I can’t believe she just said that!” and you’ll be ready to hit the slots in West Wendover. We’ll throw $5, a complimentary drink ticket and a free buffet at you when you get there to get you started. This charity fundraiser has become a favorite event for gay and straight passengers alike. WHEN: Nov. 24, 11:45 a.m. WHERE: Meet at Club Try-Angles parking lot, 251 W. 900 South INFO: biggayfunbus.com
Pink Dot St. George Following suit from Salt Lake City’s Pink Dot celebration, St. George will hold its inaugural event this November at Vernon Worthen Park. The picnic in the park and photo opportunity will highlight the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and ally community in Southern Utah. For more information, go to pinkdotut.org. WHEN: Nov. 3, 11:30 a.m. WHERE: Vernon Worthen Park, St. George INFO: pinkdotut.org
100 percent, including seven from states with marriage equality and five from ballot-measure states. The number of Senators with a 0 percent score decreased from 32 last Congress to 14 this year, but disturbingly in the House, the number of zeros dramatically increased from 144 to 219. “LGBT equality was prominent in the 112th Congress, giving us great cause for optimism despite the fact that opponents of equality gained seats halting our progress,” added HRC Legislative Director Allison Herwitt. “Yet while the American people move forward on these issues, the majority of Congress – particularly the House — continues to be out of touch.” For the first time, on this scorecard, HRC notes whether or not members of Congress have taken an affirmative position in favor of marriage equality. While marriage-related issues can arise in Congress, the baseline question about where a senator or representative stands on this issue is of great importance to all fair-minded Americans. The full scorecard and scores for individual representatives and senators can be viewed online at hrc.org/scorecard. A final scorecard will be released at the conclusion of the lame-duck session following the election. Q
by the numbers $560 billion— worldwide purchasing power of LGBT people in 1998 $800 billion— worldwide purchasing power of LGBT people in 2012 $20 million— American Airlines earnings from gay initiatives in 1994 $193. 5 million— American Airlines earnings from gay initiatives in 1999
67.6 percentof same-sex couples own a home — the median annual $83,000 household income of gay men
$64. 5 billion— the gay travel market; approximately 10 percent of the U.S. travel industry
NEWS | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 11
november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
Kamas man charged with anti-gay hate crime A Kamas man was arrested for an assault on a gay couple and the Summit County Sheriff’s Office has charged him with hate crime charges. Summit County deputies responded to reports of an Travis Gentry altercation at a Kamas home, Oct. 16, and found three men requiring medical attention after sustaining cuts and bruises. After the police interviewed the three men, 40-year-old Travis Gentry was arrested and booked into the Summit County jail for assault and a hate crime. The two victims told deputies they knew Gentry and the three were working on Gen-
try’s property. According to investigators, Gentry saw the two in a “romantic encounter” in a shed on Gentry’s property and Gentry began assaulting them and calling them derogatory, anti-gay names. Summit County Detective Sgt. Ron Bridge said that Gentry made derogatory comments during and after the attack. “That is why it is being called a hate crime,” Bridge told The Park Record. “I think that it being a hate crime is paramount in this investigation.” Summit County officials say that Gentry had been charged with violent assaults, burglary and theft three times this year. Summit County Justice Court Judge Shauna Kerr set a cash-only bail for in the amount of $25,000 and Gentry is currently being held in the Summit County jail.
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12 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | NEWS
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
ElectiQ n Guide 2012 By Seth Bracken
The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 6. To find your polling location or to see a sample ballot, go to vote.utah.gov. Below are some of the Utah candidates’ positions on queer rights.
Senate Orrin Hatch The 6-term senator said this will be the last time he runs for election and promises to use his influence for more fiscal responsibility in the government. Hatch has co-sponsored anti-gay amendments in the past and said he strongly supports defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. He received a zero percent rating from the Human Rights Campaign.
Scott Howell Howell said he would support a measure to protect against bias based on sexual orientation and gender identity, but does not support marriage equality. He was endorsed by Equality Utah, but his personal view is that marriage is a union between one man and one woman, and gay couples do not deserve the same protections.
Congress District 1 Rob Bishop Bishop has a long history of opposing marriage equality and other queer rights legislation, including nondiscrimination protections. In 2004, he voted for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. In 2007, he voted against offering job protections for queer Americans and he has received a 0 percent approval rating from the HRC.
Donna McAleer McAleer has been advocating for equal rights in various forms for decades. She saw the military’s anti-gay policy as discriminatory and unacceptable and joined Knights Out, an organization of West Point alumni who
support the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender soldiers to openly serve their country. In a series of articles written for foreignpolicy.com, she iterated her stance against the discriminatory policy which banned gays and lesbians from serving openly. She is also an outspoken advocate for equal treatment of women in the U.S. Armed Forces. Making no qualms about her complete and thorough backing of gay marriage, McAleer said, “I support marriage equality. Period.”
Congress District 2 Chris Stewart Stewart proudly touts his conservative credentials and is focusing his campaign on economic issues. However, he has taken time during debates to say he does not support marriage equality. Repeated attempts to contact Stewart and his campaign were ignored.
Jay Seegmiller In 2008, Seegmiller ran against and defeated sitting Utah House Speaker Greg Curtis. While his team did not return repeated requests for interviews and email questions, his website says he supports extending nondiscrimination and visitation rights to gays and lesbians. He said in a debate with his opponent that he believes marriage should be reserved for heterosexual couples.
Congress District 3 Jason Chaffetz Despite his purported states’ rights credentials, Chaffetz has led the fight to overturn gay marriage in areas that have legalized marriage equality. He vocally defends his position calling for a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. After Washington, D.C. legalized same-sex
marriage, Chaffetz led the fight to overturn the city council’s decision. He was unsuccessful in his attempts.
Soren Simonsen The Salt Lake City councilman is fighting a gigantic battle and trying to unseat incumbent Chaffetz, who was last elected with nearly 70 percent of the vote. Simonsen is very vocal about his support of marriage equality and said he is very proud to be endorsed by Equality Utah.
Congress District 4 Mia Love The mayor of Saratoga Springs is the daughter of Haitian immigrants and is in an interracial marriage (her husband is Caucasian). While expressing her conservative credentials, she has yet to answer why she opposes gay marriage when her own union would have been outlawed just 50 years ago. She has refused to answer questions about her positions on workplace or housing protections for queer Americans. She also said she would support reinstating the military’s ban on gays and lesbians from serving openly.
Jim Matheson Matheson’s strong stance for equal treatment in the military stands in stark contrast to his position on the anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act and his vocal support of passing a resolution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. In 2004 and 2006, Matheson voted for bills that would have altered the U.S. Constitution to bar gay marriage from being recognized. He also said he supports DOMA, the 1996 law that has been struck down by federal and appellate courts as unconstitutional. It bars the federal government from recognizing gay marriage and effectively stops gay couples from receiving the same tax credits as straight couples, and it has resulted in the deportation of gay individuals whose statesanctioned marriages were not recognized by the federal government. The HRC ranked him with a 78 percent approval score.
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Governor Gary Herbert In addition to opposing gay marriage and civil unions, Herbert has shied away from backing basic nondiscrimination protections for queer Utahns. He brought New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie as a keynote speaker for his annual gala dinner. Christie vetoed a bill legalizing gay marriage in the Garden State earlier this year. Herbert said in August 2009 that anti-bias measures for queer Utahns were unnecessary. “We don’t have to have a rule for everybody to do the right thing. We ought to just do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do and we don’t have to have a law that punishes us if we don’t,” Herbert said.
Peter Cooke Cooke has voiced his support for anti-bias protections being extended to all Utahns and even said he would support second-parent adoptions. However, he recently
held a press conference to alert all Utahns that he does not support marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples.
Salt Lake County Mayor Mark Crockett The former Salt Lake County councilman chose not to participate in an interview with QSaltLake.
Ben McAdams The Fabby Awardwinning politician is a strong ally to the queer community. While serving in the state legislature he sponsored a statewide nondiscrimination ordinance and other queer-friendly bills. He also helped engineer the domestic partnership registry used by Salt Lake City.
National Ballot Measures Washington Referendum 74 Voters in Washington will decide whether to uphold a law legalizing gay marriage in November. With recent polls indicat-
ing more than 50 percent of Washington residents want gay marriage legalized, gay rights activists are optimistic that same-sex couples will be saying, “I do,” very soon.
Maine Referendum 1 After a disappointing defeat for marriage equality in 2009, the option to legalize same-sex marriage is back on the ballot. Recent polls indicate an enormous lead for gay marriage supporters and 53 percent of Maine residents say they support gay marriage.
Maryland Referendum 6 In Maryland, 54 percent of residents say they’ll support a law legalizing gay marriage and just 40 percent say they oppose the measure. Gay marriage supporters are starting to gain more momentum than earlier this year.
Minnesota Voters are deciding whether or not to amend the state constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Polling has the issue too close to call. Q
GO VOTE
Early voting is underway. To find your polling place
visit www.utahdemocrats.org.
Paid for by the Utah State Democratic Committee. www.utdem.org. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.
“He has binders.” – HILLARY CLINTON
14 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | NEWS
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
Gearing up for champagne powder and champagne brunches Park City Mountain Resort The iconic resort based in the heart of one of the most breathtaking ski towns in the nation boasts some of the best terrain and après ski activities. Opening: Nov. 17 Season Pass: Adult $850, Student $525
The Canyons The largest resort in the state is known for its terrain park, phenomenal dining options, expansive runs and spectacular scenery. Opening: Nov. 23 Season Pass: Adult $1,449, Student $699
Deer Valley Routinely voted the best ski resort in the nation by Ski Magazine, Deer Valley highlights the best Utah mountains have to offer. Opening: Dec. 8 Season Pass: $2,100
Alta A skier’s paradise, this high-altitude resort bans snowboards and takes pride in being the roughest, most extreme ski resort in the West.
not as I do Pro-life congressman encourages mistress to have abortion A pro-life, anti-gay Tennessee congressman, who worked as a doctor before winning an election as a Tea Party-backed Republican, had an affair with a patient and later pressured her to have an abortion. A phonecall transcript obtained by Huffington Post records Rep. Scott DesJarlais encouraging the woman to have the love-child aborted. According to three sources familiar with the recording, he made the tape himself. DesJarlais didn’t deny the veracity of the recording,
Opening: Nov. 16 Season Pass: Adult $1,199, Student $699
Snowbird With 85 runs, one tram, four quads and six doubles, don’t let Snowbird’s unassuming style and atmosphere stop you from enjoying some of the best snow Utah has to offer. Opening: Nov. 19 Season Pass: Adult $1,199, Student $729
Solitude With more than 1,200 acres of skiing terrain, Solitude is intimate and gives a unique Utah experience. More than 500 inches of snowfall covers 65 named trails and three bowls. Opening: Nov. 15 Season Pass: $999
Brighton The finest powder, the most extensive terrain parks and beautiful bowls can make Brighton loyalists out of anyone. Opening: TBA Season Pass: Adult $949, Student $599
but a campaign statement wrote off the attack as dirty politics.
urging parents to keep their children home from school on Oct. 30.
So-called Christian group encourages bullying
Tea Party plumber takes stimulus funds
On Mix It Up at Lunch Day, children around the nation are encouraged to sit with someone new. The program was started overn 10 years ago by the Southern Poverty Law Center and now more than 2,000 schools participate in an attempt to prevent bullying. But this year, the anti-gay American Family Association has called the event “a nationwide push to promote the homosexual lifestyle in public schools.” The group, which bills itself a Christian organization, is
Oklahoma Republican congressional candidate Markwayne Mullin has openly criticized the economic stimulus package throughout his campaign. He has attacked the stimulus as a, “horrible waste of taxpayer dollars.” Mullin’s private plumbing company, however, received $370,000 in stimulus funding, The Associated Press found last month. Mullin responded to the story by asserting that he wasn’t aware that the contracts came from the stimulus, and that “plumbing is plumbing.”
Gay Ski Weeks in 2013 Elevation Park City Gay Ski Week, Feb. 21–24, utahgayski.com Utah Gay & Lesbian Ski Week, Jan. 9–13, communityvisions.org Aspen Gay Ski Week, Jan. 13–20, gayskiweek.com Telluride Gay Ski Week, Feb. 22–March 3, telluridegayskiweek.com Outboard Gay and Lesbian Snowboard and Ski Week in Winter Park, Colo., March 19–24, outboard.org Vail Gay Ski Week, Dates TBD, vailgayskiweek.com Canadian Rockies Gay Ski Tour, March 16–23, outwestadventrues.com Elevation Mammoth Gay Ski Week, March 13–17, mammothgayski.com Winter Pride at Whistler, British Columbia, Feb. 3–10, gaywhistler.com Summit 2013 at Blowing Rock, N.C., Jan 24–27, ncgayskiweekend.com
november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
NEWS | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 15
Equality Utah urges queer Utahns to get out the vote Equality Utah’s list of endorsed candidates for the 2012 election includes Democratic gubernatorial candidate Peter Cooke, and Democrat Scott Howell, who is running for U.S. Senate against Orrin Hatch. Candidates for local and national office filled out questionnaires with inquiries into issues that are important to queer Utahns. Based on their responses, they were interviewed by EU board, staff and a selection of community members. The electability of each candidate was also considered when endorsing and donating money to campaigns.
U.S. Senate Scott Howell (D)
U.S. House Soren Simonsen (D), U.S. Congress, Dist. 3
Utah State House of Representatives Angela Romero (D), Dist. 26, SLC Barbara Eubanks (D), Dist. 39, Taylorsville Benjamin Pales (D), Dist. 12, Roy Brent Holloway (D), Dist. 62, Washington County Brian King (D), Dist. 28, SLC Carol Spackman Moss (D), Dist. 37, SLC Celina Milner (D), Dist. 34, Taylorsville Daniel Paget (D), Dist. 52, South Jordan Heidi Bitton (D), Dist. 29, WVC Jeff Bell (D), Dist. 43, West Jordan Jen Seelig (D), Dist. 23, SLC Joel Briscoe (D), Dist. 25, SLC Kenny Barlow (Libertarian), Dist. 59, Orem Larry Wiley (D), Dist. 31, WVC Liz Muniz (D), Dist. 33, WVC Lynn Hemingway (D), Dist. 40, SLC Marie Poulson(D), Dist. 46, Cottonwood Heights Mark Wheatley (D), Dist. 35, Murray Neil Hanson (D), Dist. 9, Ogden Pam Udy (D), Dist. 11, South Weber Patrice Arent (D), Dist. 36, SLC Rebecca Chavez-Houck (D), Dist. 24, SLC Tim Cosgrove (D), Dist. 44, Murray Tom Nedreberg (D), Dist. 68, Tooele
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16 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | VIEWS
views
“
I’m still trying to figure out how gay people getting hitched means the end of world. Of course, this is the same people that refute scientific evidence that the world is warming with a passage from the bible.”
10 things we heard last month
—Grant Isenhour, on an advertisement released by an anti-gay group comparing homosexuality to pedophilia
“ “ “ “
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
I don’t see the correlation between drug abuse, pedophilia and homosexuality?”
QSaltLake Magazine welcomes your letters to the editor. Please send your letter of 300 words or less to letters@ gaysaltlake.com. We reserve the right to edit for length or libel if a letter is chosen for publication.
—Cory Brown, on the advertisement
It does not take a man and a woman to raise a happy family. That’s not the recipe for success. A happy family must have love, no matter the gender of the parents.” —Arianna Johnson, on the advertisement
There are so many holes in their arguments, it’s a cobweb. I live in Canada; one of the countries who has embraced marriage equity. If the groundhogs poke their heads out once in awhile, they’ll see how thin these arguments really are.” —Roberto Ascencio Rojas, on the advertisement
It shocks me to think that people actually think like this. I don’t get what is so wrong about making everyone equal regardless of sexual orientation, race, age, gender etc. Since when has ‘natural marriage’ ever benefited society? Making men civilized? What kind of bullshit is that?”
“
—Kasy Woodward, on the advertisement
Today I learned that my marriage is a ‘behavior.’” —Maria Kogan, on the advertisement
“
People that don’t take science seriously are a threat to our freedoms. Ironic too, because most of them claim they want government out of their lives. Besides, where is the fervor for divorcees and horrible marriages? Shouldn’t they be crucified, too?” —Marly Mary Green, on an advertisement released by an anti-gay group comparing homosexuality to pedophilia
“
I am very saddened to hear a man I used to think highly off make such ridiculous comments. Could I live celibate for my entire life? Yes, I suppose I could try.
But who would want to do that? Ask a Catholic priest how well that works. It’s unnatural to expect human being to be celibate. We, in part, are sexual beings and to pretend God himself didn’t put those urges in us is ignorant, to say the least! I don’t apologize for how God created me and I’ll be damned if celibacy is the answer.” —Lance Kocherhans, on a Mormon official calling gay marriage a ‘social experiment’
“
Comments like this are an absolute joke. This is why so many gay and lesbian people go through such a miserable
life. Why should they be lonely and not entitled to the same type of love and companionship as straight people just because they are born differently? Would we rather they live miserable and lonely lives or take their own lives instead of leading happy, productive lives? Shame on you Dallin Oaks.” —David Taylor Bocanegra, on a Mormon official calling gay marriage a ‘social experiment’
“
Aren’t we in 2012? What a ‘back of the bus’ attitude! We need a drag queen Harriet Tubman!” —Mike Hicks-Graham, on Oaks’ comments
VIEWS | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 17
november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
from the editor
The power of pink money By Seth Bracken
From
Prada to Mercedes and Cancun to Miami — the annual worldwide purchasing power of the gay community is reaching into the trillions of dollars. According to a recent study conducted by the BBC, Pink Money is one of the fastest emerging markets in the world, especially in the consumer spending and travel industries.
Pink Money is one of the fastest emerging markets in the world As gays and lesbians achieve equality in the workforce, our organizational skills, impressive work ethics and just plain fabulous demeanor is meriting promotions around the globe. With two-income households and no children to suck up the extra funds — the Pink Dollar is being sought after by corporations large and small. From Oreo to Microsoft and Apple to Marriott, everyone wants a piece of the queer pie. It’s estimated, by the same study, that more than 10 percent of all the travel industry funds are spent by gays and lesbians. We eat out more, we buy more clothes, we travel more, we decorate more and we simply fund the economy more. And win, lose or draw in November, people are starting to notice. Whether the country swings to the left or
to the right, this is a landmark year for gay rights. We have a sitting president endorsing marriage equality and a Republican challenger that for the first time in a decade hasn’t made gay marriage a top campaign issue. Even locally, the climate is changing. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Peter Cooke has been reamed on message boards and in editorial pages for not being a more ardent supporter of queer rights. Salt Lake County Mayor has one of the biggest advocates for gay rights in the state on the Democratic ticket and we have nearly two dozen municipalities protecting against bias in the workplace and housing. Sure, there’s still plenty of room to grow and rights to obtain, but what a landmark year of illustrating how much progress we’ve made. This winter we’ll face, yet again, one of the most conservative legislatures in the nation while trying to push through a statewide nondiscrimination law. With three-fourths of Utahns backing the measure and bi-partisan support, it could be our year to increase protections for the LGBT community around the state. As we continue to shop at our local stores and eat at our local diners and restaurants (see the included dining guide), our community is coming out as a strong, political and economic force that simply can’t be ignored. Q
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18 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | VIEWS
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
thinking out loud
Championing coming out By Abby Dees
When I
awoke to the earthshaking news that Sam Champion of Good Morning America fame was getting married to his longtime boyfriend — yes, they look great together — I realized I can hardly keep count of all the folks coming out nowadays. I must admit that it’s making me nostalgic for the days when there were, maybe, two out LGBT celebrities besides Oscar Wilde and Gertrude Stein — ever. Can you imagine Time magazine putting anyone on its cover today just for coming out? (Except maybe a presidential candidate, which would be really cool, but the subject of another column.) For simple recordkeeping purposes, I think we can now say that all handsome blond news guys are gay, all female talk-show hosts and former world-class athletes are lesbians, and all up-and-coming hot actresses are bi. There, that makes things tidier. This is how it should be, I know. The whole point of the “come out, come out, wherever you are” thing was to make being gay kind of ordinary so that at some point we don’t ever have to “come out,”
but rather just be. Which was what I tried to explain in the comments section of a Facebook post about the wedding. You see, the good news is that most of the comments said things like, “Congratulations!” or “Damn, I had such a crush on you and now my hopes are dashed.” However, a large number of those comments also said things like, “Gross,” or “I knew he was a fag,” or the slightly more critically sophisticated, “This is news why??” I can’t help illuminate anything for the grossed-out cretins, but I did decide to answer, at ridiculous length, the ones who felt that Sam should keep his marriage to himself. I think I wrote, like, comment number 6427, and so it was read by no one except the person right after me, who said only, “nah.” I should never take anything on Facebook personally; I’ve learned that the hard way lately, but I’m really tired of having to explain why coming out matters. And I do get that people struggle with apparent inconsistency in the idea that we need to make a big deal about being gay so that one day we won’t have to make a big deal
sanctity of marriage Former congressman cuts wife’s pay Former New York Rep. Eric Massa cut his wife’s pay. The Democrat, who resigned after an ethics investigation into allegations that he sexually harassed male aides was launched, has been paying his wife out of his campaign funds for years. Beverly Massa earned $700 a month this year as treasurer of the campaign committee. However, the only work, according to a Federal Election Commission report, was
managing her payroll. She is making less than she used to and used to pull in $1,300 a month.
Soldier convicted of marriage fraud A Kansas soldier has been convicted of fraud and sentenced to 10 months in prison for entering into a sham marriage. Joshua Priest told a judge that he married his wife so he could get additional military benefits and his Jamaican bride could become a legal immigrant. He apologized and testified
against his ex-wife at the hearing. He was ordered to pay back $26,000 for the fraudulently obtained housing and subsistence benefits provided to married soldiers.
Indian woman murdered over dowry dispute An Indian woman died and her 1-year-old daughter suffered burns after her husband allegedly started a fire in the house after a dispute over a dowry payment. The case is the latest in a string of bride burnings and dowry murders in the country, and more than 8,000 women are killed annually because dowry demands are not met.
about it. In these times when arguments have to fit into 140 characters before your opponent drifts off to play Fruit Ninja, I think I need to find another approach than nuanced multi-layered reasoning. Which brings me to California’s new ban on “Reparative Therapy” for LGBT kids. Homosexuality has been officially not a mental illness since 1973, according to the American Psychiatric Association. Curing homosexuality has been up there on the list of pointless and likely dangerous medical ideas that people have tried, right next to arsenic tea and skull drilling (“trepanning” for you word wonks), for almost 40 years. You wouldn’t think we’d need a law to prevent such things, but because people like the National Association for Research and Therapy on Homosexuality (NARTH) and Liberace hair-clone, Marcus Bachmann, are still practicing the 21st-century version of applying leeches to release unwanted evil spirits from the body, I guess we do. (You may contact NARTH — I recommend repeatedly and with many pointed questions — at info@narth.com if you would like further explanation). So, when the NARTHs of the world are out there convincing parents that their kids need to be cured through total quackery, it’s good to know that those same parents might also tune into Good Morning America and see a happy, likeable gay man living his life fully and appropriately, just like his straight counterparts. Perhaps they will think twice about trying to fix their kids when there is nothing wrong with them to begin with. This is why Sam Champion’s wedding announcement matters. Still too convoluted? How about this tweet-sized argument instead: When straight celebrities announce their weddings, no one ever says “Please stop shoving it in our faces.” I mean, didn’t we also see Katie Couric’s bowel exam on TV? #CongratulationsSamChampion.
VIEWS | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 19
november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
the straight line
‘Survivor’, the Kardashians and royal pains By Bob Henline bob@qsaltlake.com
If you
know more about these things than you know about the candidates up for election this year, it’s time to get your ass in gear. The election is around the corner and this one is very important. I’m not going to kid you and make you think your vote for President Barack Obama means anything. We live in Utah, and Mittens is going to get our six electoral votes. However, the real races this year are the local ones. There are a number of races that matter to this community and to this state as a whole. First and foremost, believe it or not, is the race for Utah State Auditor. Yeah, sexy one there, right? Well, before you dismiss it, you need to take a hard look. On one side is John Dougall, a current Republican state legislator and American Legislative Exchange Council member. On the other is Mark Sage, a board member of the Fair Boundaries Initiative and longtime supporter of fair and transparent government. Dougall was a sponsor of HB477 — that lovely bit of legislation that destroyed the public’s access to government records. He is also part of the Republican caucus that meets behind closed doors to redraw district maps, discuss legislative ethics and basically set policy in this state. Sage worked on the Fair Boundaries Initiative, a nonpartisan movement that sought to draw our electoral maps mathematically, without partisan involvement. He supported another nonpartisan effort, the Utahns for Ethical Govern-
ment, a call for a nonpartisan public commission to review allegations of misconduct against elected officials. He spent a career in public service, managing large government contracts and auditing performance to ensure the work was done before the contractors were paid. Mark handled tens of millions of taxpayers’ dollars with accountability and integrity. The role of State Auditor is to audit the financials and the performance of government agencies and ensure they are compliant with state law and regulation. By definition, this job requires an independent and ethical person. Sage has demonstrated his commitment to the people of Utah on a number of occasions; Dougall has demonstrated his commitment to politics as usual and keeping the public in the dark. The choice is clear. The second race is more high profile. This race is for Salt Lake County Mayor, between Ben McAdams and Mark Crockett. McAdams, as a Utah State Senator and employee of Salt Lake City, has been unequivocal in his support for equality. He helped to draft and secure the passage of Salt Lake City’s nondiscrimination ordinance, which prohibits discrimination in housing and employment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. This ordinance was not only the model for a dozen or so similar measures passed by other municipalities, but also the impetus behind them. Utah’s LGBT community has no greater political ally than Ben McAdams.
If that isn’t enough, there are a bunch of state legislative races out there that demand attention. Candidates like Josie Valdez, Liz Muniz, Jeff Bell, John Rendell, Elias McGraw, Mark Wheatley, Marie Poulson, Jen Seelig, Luz Robles, Rebecca Chavez-Houck, and others are putting it all on the line to serve their communities. The least you can do is go vote. The saddest bit of electoral trivia is that there are more people out there who are rational, open-minded and
committed to the betterment of our communities than there are reactionary conservatives. If we actually decide to come together and vote for change, with all eligible voters casting ballots, our government would be a completely different animal. This is the year, people. It is time for each and every one of you to stand up and be counted. Don’t let people make decisions in your name that work against your best interests. Don’t wait for someone else to do it. Step up and vote. Q
Vote Tuesday, November 6
20 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | VIEWS
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
lambda lore
Utah law once required homosexual institutionalization By Ben Williams
During
the paranoid political climate of the early 1950s, Utah lawmakers were prompted to enact a psychopathic offender law to curtail sexual deviancy. Legislators intended to protect the public from sex offenders, broadly defined to include everyone from rapists to peeping toms, according to one medical professional. The statute provided for the institutionalization of the “very idle or lewd or dissolute person” or any person who “deports self so as to endanger the morals or health of himself or others.” In effect, the law allowed Utah judges to sentence anyone convicted of sodomy, lewdness or “an attempt to commit either,” to not only the state prison, but also to the state mental hospital. Under the new law, homosexuals and others charged with sex crimes were compelled to be examined by state-appointed psychiatrists. If determined to be a “mental case,” sex offenders were committed to the state mental hospital in Provo, where they potentially could be held until, in the opinion of the superintendent, they were unlikely to offend again. Until 1974, homosexuality was listed as a pathology by the American Psychiatric Association and considered a mental illness. Dr. Owen P. Heninger, superintendent of the state hospital, was a major critic of Utah’s psychopathic offender law. He said the law was unrealistic and didn’t discriminate between minor offenders, such as peeping toms, and those who committed serious crimes like rape and murder. He argued that the law was so broad that a person who tells a dirty story could, under strict application of the law, be committed to the mental institution. Heninger’s main concern was that the act of lewdness or wanton public indecency could get a person committed. Lewdness is the legal term for whatever sexual relation society deems as tending to corrupt the morals of the community; however, it mainly applied to
public masturbation or indecent exposure. As a result, the superintendent felt that judges would be “loathe” to convict a man with the possibility of sentencing him to the state mental hospital for the crime of lewdness. In consequence to Utah’s draconian laws, state mental-health practitioners wanted clarification from the office of the attorney general whether they had ultimate authority to keep sex offenders in the institution until they had overcome their abnormalities or whether the Utah Board of Pardons had ultimate jurisdiction to pardon them. In 1953, Attorney General E. R. Callister decided that the Board of Pardons was ultimately authorized, but was to exercise discretion on whether to grant or deny a parole to persons committed to the hospital based on medical opinion of the doctors involved in each case. At some point during Utah’s 1953 legislative session, lawmakers reduced the act of consensual sodomy from a felony to a misdemeanor, although forcible sodomy was kept a felony. The change to the state’s sodomy statutes was not prompted by any legal enlightenment on the part of the legislators. Instead, the change was prompted by their desire to make the conviction of homosexuals easier. Prosecutors had complained that many of the state judges were reluctant to make felons out of people engaging in consensual acts of homosexuality. Many homosexuals were being convicted under the charge of disorderly conduct and sentenced to either probation or minimal jail time. Even though adult consensual sodomy was no longer a felony, the public exposure of one’s homosexuality on a morals charge not only meant family disgrace and loss of employment, it also sometimes led to suicide. After exposure to incessant demagoguery in the nation’s capital over the dangers that homosexuality posed to the nation, additionally, Utah lawmakers amended the
1951 psychopathic offender law to include assault with intent to commit sodomy. Legislators, while reducing criminal penalties for consensual homosexuality, still wanted compulsory institutionalization of homosexuals charged with seduction or solicitation. Fortunately, in most cases, a conviction for sodomy between adult homosexuals required a collaborating witness to the act. Therefore, consensual sodomy was rarely prosecuted unless caught by a vice officer. However, if a juvenile was involved, no eyewitness testimony was required beyond that of the juvenile. This explains why many of the criminal convictions Homosexuals and published in others charged the media with sex crimes involved were compelled to teenagers and an adult, be examined by thus giving state-appointed an unwarpsychiatrists ranted impression that homosexuals were predators of youth. While arrests for sodomy after 1951 always resulted in a court-ordered examination to determine the mental fitness of homosexual offenders, rarely did they lead to compulsory hospitalization. Courtappointed psychiatrists in the 1950s were of the opinion that homosexuality was a mental illness, but most didn’t believe it constituted a dangerous psychosis. Most homosexuals charged with disorderly conduct were simply diagnosed with sociopathic personality disorders not requiring hospitalization. Nevertheless, homosexual men were placed in state psychiatric hospitals. Claude B. Schulte, owner of the Apache Club in Ogden, was arrested on a charge of sodomy with a teenager in April 1951. The
VIEWS | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 21
november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
following month, Judge Charles G. Cowley of the 2nd District Court committed Schulte, 32, to the Utah state hospital for life or until the director of the institution deemed him cured. Schulte, who had had a previous run-in with city vice in 1949 when he was arrested for having a gambling device in his tavern, was evidently an outspoken critic of the Ogden City Council, which may have influenced the judge. In Salt Lake City, Benjamin Greenwald, a New York native, had lived 10 years in Salt Lake City when he was arrested for sodomy. He was sentenced to the state mental hospital. However, after one month, Greenwald was discharged. The doctors reported to the court that Greenwald, while unimproved of his homosexuality, he was not psychotic. The court suspended Greenwald’s sentence on the condition he returned to Brooklyn. Ephraim L. Yeates was a 56-year-old man when convicted of sodomy with two teenage boys in 1955. A father of seven, Yeates admitted to the court of a 16-year history of homosexuality that included masturbation and oral sex. Court-appointed psychiatrists recommended he be admitted to the state mental hospital for an indefinite period because of his “increasing capable aggressive activity in connection with his homosexual interest.” Yeates died in the custody of the hospital on Dec. 6, 1957. The last case to appear before the Utah Supreme Court involving sodomy before the Stonewall Rebellion was that of Utah v. Turner. In the 1955 ruling, the court unanimously rejected the defense’s contention that Turner was not accountable for acts of sodomy due to his drunkenness. The court ruled the defendant’s voluntary intoxication did not excuse him from culpability to the crime. The Justices commented, “the offense with which defendant was charged could not have been committed by accident or while intending to do some other act.” Q
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gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
creep of the week
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By D’Anne Witkowski
A couple
of weeks ago I was sitting around thinking of something cool and hilarious to do and I came up with the idea to write “You are a faggot” in grammatically incorrect Spanish on my face. Totally original, right? I mean, who else would think of such a thing? As it turns out, Yunel Escobar, a shortstop for the Toronto Blue Jays, beat me to the punch — in that he really did write “You are a faggot” in grammatically incorrect Spanish on his face and then trotted onto the baseball field, in real life. Unsurprisingly, people noticed and it caused quite a stir, leaving Escobar suspended for three games and his salary for those games reportedly being donated to the You Can Play campaign and to GLAAD. This turn of events has folks on the antigay right flamin’ mad. Joseph Farah, the man behind World Net Daily, was inspired to write in his Oct. 2 Between The Lines column (Seriously. His WND column handle is Between The Lines) titled “Homosexual Fascists Target Baseball.” “Are Mom and apple pie next?” Farah’s column begins. “Those may be the next targets of the homosexual fascists — who are like the anti-American poofy sect of the Taliban.” That’s right, folks. A grown ass man writes “You are a faggot” in grammatically incorrect Spanish on his face and yet gays are the bad guys here. Personally, I have nothing against moms — heck, I am one myself — and my wife makes a pretty amazing apple pie. Oh, wait. That probably falls under Farah’s definition of homosexual fascist activity. Comparing gays to the Taliban is a nice touch. Getting offended because a baseball player writes “You are a faggot” in grammatically incorrect Spanish on his face (I cannot emphasize that enough) is totally comparable to, say, the destruction of the World Trade Center and the murder of thousands of Americans. Farah also throws in a Nazi comparison
for good measure when he refers to gays as the “crude, vulgar, name-calling, arrogant pink-shirt gestapo.” My guess is that Farah isn’t trying to be ironic when he accuses gays of “name-calling.” Oh, and gays are also worse and more oppressive than Castro. “[Escobar] probably thought once he left Fidel Castro’s island paradise that he would be able to speak his mind, joke around and not fear the thought of police,” Farah writes. “Was he ever wrong.” Yes, poor little Escobar, coming to America only to get called out for writing fucked up things on his face. Farah honestly doesn’t see what the big “Those may be the deal is since next targets of the “faggot” is homosexual fascists “used far more often — who are like by homosexthe anti-American uals than by poofy sect of the heterosexuals.” Taliban.” “Should non-homosexual Americans be fined, suspended and humiliated for a remark that wouldn’t draw a second glance in most homosexual bathhouses?” Farah writes. Granted, I haven’t spent much time (any, actually) in gay bathhouses (then again, Farah is the one positioning himself as the expert here, not me). But I suspect that if you walked around with “You are a faggot” written in grammatically incorrect Spanish on your face you would most certainly “draw a second glance.” Probably even more so if you wrote it on your penis. “Has anyone ... picked up a “gay” newspaper lately and seen the kind of obscenity they portray and the filthy language they use?” Farah writes. Honestly, I don’t know what the fuck he’s talking about, but he can go suck a bag of dicks. Q
VIEWS | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 23
november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
a mom’s view
How can you tell who is gay or lesbian? By Leesa Myers
When Jay
told me he was gay, I told a mutual hairstylist friend. She looked at me and said, “Duh! You didn’t know?” I told her there were times I thought so, but I was never sure. It has been almost nine years since that night Jay told me. Ever since, I have come to the conclusion that everyone looks gay or lesbian at one time or another. How can you tell if someone is gay or lesbian? What are the characteristics? Is it the way they walk? Is it when men have flimsy hands or women have butch haircuts? Are all male decorators, florists and hairstylists gay? How can you tell? In 2008, I graduated from Interfaith
Ministry in New York City; Jay came with me to the graduation and to spend a few days in New York City. We were sitting at a neighborhood bar in Greenwich Village. I asked Jay; “How can you tell if someone is gay or not?” He responded, “Look at who they are looking at.” How simple is that? I spent the rest of the time looking at who came into the neighborhood bar and watched their eyes, it was actually fun. Since 2008, I have had the honor of doing commitment ceremonies for gay and lesbian couples. I have married very masculine women and men and very feminine men and women. There is no trademark that determines if a man is gay or a women lesbian. I have a 7-year-old grandson and he is the spitting image of Jay. Hair color, ears, mannerisms, he loves to create and he’s an artist. When he was younger he always wanted to be Dora the Explorer. For his 7th birthday he wanted Lulu Leopard hat and slippers with pink and purple leopard spots. In July we went to the movies, he was wearing his slippers, definitely girl’s slippers, and wearing them proudly. I know Cameron is gay. He is already strug-
gling in school because he does not want to play with the boys playing trucks. He has a hard time with sports and rough housing. He is a loner; when I would pick him up from preschool for my daughter he would be by himself coloring. How do I know he’s gay? I just know. I think his parents are concerned that I will make him gay. I asked a friend at a recent networking function about how to tell if someone is gay or lesbian. He told me that his parents knew he was gay at birth, that there was something different and they just knew. What I have learned over the years is that there are no true characteristics that determine gay or lesbian. I have found that the LGBT community to be completely unique and loving, there are no marks, looks or mannerism that are just gay or lesbian. In the LGBT community, I feel free to express me and be accepted, for that I am very grateful and honored to have great friends and colleagues; I truly love the LGBT community. Thank you for being strong to be yourself. You are incredible. Q Leesa@LeesaMyers.com
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24 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | VIEWS
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
queer shift
Shame shift — no day but today By Charles Frost
In 1996,
I saw RENT with my best friend in the derelict Broadway Nederlander Theatre on 41st Street. The long-in-the-tooth theater was transformed into a front to back of house Alphabet City setting depicting the East Village. The show changed my life, with its plot being directly lifted from Puccini’s La Boheme, also an opera favorite. Both shows were trendsetters, and became bellwethers of their particular genres and eras for decades to follow. From the abundance of haunting lyrics, one particular set grabbed my soul from that night to this very day. Forget Regret Or Life Is Yours To Miss No Other Road No Other Way No Day But Today There’s Only Now There’s Only Here Give In To Love Or Live In Fear No Other Path No Other Way No Day But Today Maybe the reason those words powerfully grabbed me was because they were being sung with heart, soul and spirit by an S&M dancer with HIV; a songwriter/ musician who is also HIV positive; an independent Jewish filmmaker; a trashy lesbian performance artist; a gay drag queen percussionist with AIDS; a gay professor/anarchist at New York University with AIDS; an aggressive lesbian lawyer; and a yuppie scum Generation X landlord — but seize me they did. The show deals with anger, stigma, fear of a virus-plague, drug addiction, community, chosen family, authenticity, activism, change, truth, love and releasing shame. In hindsight, it hit me so dramatically because I, too, had just lived through a shame-filled 1994. My own annus horribilis, a Latin phrase meaning “horrible year” having come out, leaving the education world for the corporate one, exiting Mormonism and being excommunicated, getting divorced after a 19-year marriage, moving out (four teens in tow), entering my first gay relationship,
surviving an FBI investigated death threat and my mother dying. Oh yes, there’s something to be said about clumping your life drama together and fucking wading through the murk. Plus it can only get better — right? Fortunately embracing me, understanding my shame and loving myself has manifested many post 1994, annus mirabilis meaning years of wonders. So, back to shame. Might I be so bold to declare that shame is at the epicenter of all human problems, especially queer limitations and the inability to shift and move on? Big ass idea, I know! I move through life at such a rapid pace most of the time that the universe has to bombard me to get my attention and become aware of issues and messages I need to stop and explore. It’s the law of allowance in action, and if you are patient and truly observe the world, it works every time. This opinion about shame is part of the bombardment of which I refer. I used to clump shame with fear, guilt, judgment and ignorance. However my big epiphany is that shame is the Mother Superior of them all. The rest are mere byproducts. Nothing increases true authenticity, self-awareness, the awakened soul, courage and creative thinking, better than releasing, relenting and rejecting shame. Deeply internalized homophobia still exists in the hearts of many gay and lesbian folks, held there, subconsciously by shame. There’s still tremendous shame and stigma around HIV/AIDS, with many refusing to even date someone who is not serocompatible or is sero-discordant, let alone enter a relationship with someone who is positive. Rejection from coming out is the biggest trigger for ashamed parents and the unfortunate transfer on to the queer child. Being afraid of job loss, promotion and opportunity ultimately is seated in shame. So many are still ashamed over masturbation, porn and thinking they are bad, uncontrolled sick people. My God, even certain kinds of sex are profoundly judged because of feelings of shame. Older queers often choose to re-closet, stating it is for safety, when it throws them back into the realms of shame. There are shame senders
and shame receivers, and they are among us, and very, very skilled. All of us have to reject shame — internal, external — and call it out whenever we see it being used to manipulate, hurt or cause damage to ourselves and others. Two heroic shame fighters that I’ve admired are Byron Katie, and more recently,Brene Brown. I’ve attended Katie’s workshops and am planning to be with Brown in the near future. They get the whole shame thing in amazing and releasing ways. Katie’s first book, Loving What Is — Four Questions That Can Change Your Life, is tremendously and simply powerful. I cannot recommend it enough and whenever I life coach, it’s the book I have recommended more than any other. If you have time, patience and a desire to see her take a beautiful gay man through her process, please connect to this link: thework.com/ watch-being_gay. Katie’s other offerings, which she calls ‘The Work’ can be found at thework.com. And Brene Brown, with her phenomenal book, The Gifts of Imperfection, and her gripping expose’ regarding shame, Daring Greatly, are at the forefront of this movement of shame rejection. It’s true, we are all storytellers, creating our own story. Let’s strive to make our stories sans shame. To release shame from our queer lives we have to embrace positive thinking and psychology, and directly practice it every single day. That’s how big shame is, and positive psychology is a wonderful way to combat the monster and all those who use it to send shame our way. Here are a few tips; take one or more of them and let them be your weekly mantras. Write one of them down, make it your screen saver, your phone wallpaper, write it on the bathroom mirror, dangle it from your vehicle’s rear-view mirror, but keep and place it in front of your face to let it make a deep patterned canyon in your brain. Refine and rewrite shame head-on I have developed workable methods and tools that help me reject shame. I hear it. I get it. I can help others see shame when it’s being used and turn negative into positive situations, often do so, or remove myself from the shame sender. I can remain positive for a long time while others use shameful words, tactics and behaviors around or toward me. I have others back who may not get this whole shame-based messaging, and can defend them and call the shame sender on their shit.
VIEWS | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 25
november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
who’s your daddy? I have a sense of direction and purpose, who I am, what I stand for, what I know as my truth. I feel like life has significance and meaning, that it is forward-moving in a positive way. Pride is an easy feeling for me to have. I am a confident and courageous person. Lean into the discomfort of doing the work of understanding how you may be limited, walking wounded, even frozen because of shame in your past or present. Learn about how and when shame triggers you, your feelings, your responses and ultimately your success. When I talk to people, especially queer people about connection, a lot of the stories I hear are about disconnection, rejection, a lack of self-esteem and self-love. Shame is at the core. Fear of disconnection is huge and does not allow growth and shifting. At the center of the disconnection is the horrible thought, “I’m not good enough.” We as humans have a huge desire to neurobiologically be connected. It’s how we are wired. To get the healthy realization of that desire, we need to really understand our shame, and how it’s at the core of our deepest feelings and often times beliefs about who we are. Be vulnerable, excruciatingly vulnerable, and as Brown challenges all of us, embrace and dare greatly. We’re all worthy, worthy by our own definition, on our own terms, and not some outside opinion or set of rules. We all deserve a strong sense of love and belonging. Like Jay Christianson says in his new YouTube video, “I’m through of all the shame and telling lies, I’m sick of all the fear I saw in their eyes. Now I’m just ready for love.” Keep shifting. Forget regret, or life is yours to miss. No day but today! Q
Playing the gay name game By Christopher Katis christopher@qsaltlake.com
For some
reason, people think that naming a kid is a participation sport. Everyone feels like they can offer an opinion on the name you’ve chosen. When we first gave Gus his name, one of Kelly’s friends thought it not only appropriate to express her distaste for it but she also offered alternatives. We’re obviously not the only parents who have experienced this. What’s different for gay parents, however, is that there’s almost always a follow up question to, “What are you going name him?” It’s, “Whose last name does he get?” For the most part, in America, children carry their father’s surname. Even when the mother has kept her “maiden” name, the kids end up with dear old dad’s moniker. So what happens when you have two dads? Well, our kids are hyphenates; they have both of our surnames. Kids with hyphenated last names weren’t all that unusual in California, but in Utah they seem to be few and far between. Hyphenated last names can pose challenges. For example, our kids have a 15-letter last name. It’s not unusual for us to run out of room when filling out name boxes on forms, or for organizations to randomly drop letters. On their old insurance cards, my part of their name was cut simply to “Ka!” And for some reason, people tend to decide which name they’re going to use. At swimming class the kids only had Kelly’s last name; at Greek class
they only had mine. Even though the name game can be a pain, it hasn’t ever really been a big deal for us. Kelly and I joke about it all the time: I tease him that when the boys grow up they are going to choose the unique ethnic name, and he counters they’ll definitely choose the easily pronounced “American” one. But something occurred recently that has me thinking maybe we should make this whole name situation a bigger deal: Gus started playing youth hockey. (Butch, I know!) He’s registered, of course, under his actual hyphenated surname. But when the team decided to have their names embroidered on their jerseys like the NHL players, we learned that to fit a name that long on a 10-year old’s back would require the letters to start and finish somewhere on the sleeves. Gus — on his own — made the decision just to be “Katis.” Now, I think part of his reasoning stems from the fact he digs sharing a first name with his grandfather. Having the exact same name would be
even cooler. I also believe that he thought about the aesthetics of a shorter versus longer name running across his back. What concerns me is the possibility that he chose my portion of the name because he identifies more closely with my side of his family. With a handful of notable exceptions, many of Kelly’s relatives are pretty much strangers to him. It was very similar to my childhood: my dad’s relatives were an everyday part of my life, while most of my mom’s side might as well have been fictional characters. As an adult, I am still firmly ensconced in my dad’s side, but I’ve often wondered what I missed out on by not knowing my mom’s family. I don’t want my sons to have similar questions about Kelly’s side. I’ve decided that the next time the boys’ surname appears on a certificate, report card or jersey, I’m going to insist it be their full name. They deserve it because whether they recognize it now or not, they’re carrying the names of two terrific families.
Don R. Austin, LCSW • INDIVIDUALS • COUPLES • CHRONIC DISEASE • GAY ISSUES • HIV/AIDS • ADULT MALE SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE
26 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | VIEWS
wtf?!
Christian group pushes to overturn nondiscrimination The Nebraska Heritage Coalition is leading a bid to overturn a pro-gay bill in Omaha. The city council narrowly passed a nondiscrimination bill in March, which prohibits
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
discrimination in the workplace and housing based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Pastors at local congregations are encouraging parishioners to sign a petition to bring the issue to a ballot referendum. Rev. Mark Ashton told The Associated Press, “I’d encourage every registered voter who lives within the City of Omaha and follows Jesus to sign your name.”
guest editorial
Declaring more than equality By Dustin Trent
I have a certain fascination — some would say borderline obsession — with politics. I have noticed the fever pitch of politics is up. We are constantly being inundated with information from the American political parties about why we should give them our money or vote. There are countless Facebook “flame wars,” informal debates and even screaming matches as the Presidential election sneaks up on us. It’s incredibly important, especially being members of the LGBTQ community, to voice our concerns. We should consider for a moment, what the LGBTQ community stands for. This is entirely my own perception, but it seems that if you could compartmentalize the entire movement into a word it would be “equality.” It has become such an identifiable symbol. So much so, that when I see the double yellow lines on a blue background, gracing the bumper or window of any anonymous vehicle, I smirk. This is something that should be recognized as a positive trend. It looks like over 40 years after the famous Stonewall riots in New York, most Americans (especially under the age of 35) have come to accept the members of their communities regardless of sexual orientation. There definitely needs to be more progress here, but things seem to be on the upswing for our community here at home. This is only one issue though. Not only that, it isn’t even original. I hate to sound “un-gaytriotic,” but the idea of marriage equality isn’t new, and we seem to have no other major issue. I think many people would draw a blank if you asked them if the LGBTQ movement had an economic, bureaucratic, geo-political, or energy platform. We have chosen to take one thing at a time, and for us that pursuit is focused toward an egalitarian society. The original idea for an egalitarian society came
in 1948 when the United Nations signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It contains 30 separate articles that manifest the rights of any human being. One of these rights is the ability to marry any person of your choice. Any failure to comply is considered to be a violation of human rights, and there are countless governments and people who care little for these guidelines. We may champion “equality,” but sometimes it feels like we’re lacking. The movement of the LGBTQ community must evolve and become more dynamic. The generation that has come before has spent years of blood, sweat, tears and rainbow colors fighting for my rights long before I was born. To these great men and women, I am eternally grateful. Now it’s time for the younger generation, my generation, of the LGBTQ community to rise to the call of those who were arrested, beaten and sent to mental hospitals thinking of us. While I’m pleased by many of my younger peers having liberal leanings, I myself am a radical-leftist. I often find that in political discourse, they regurgitate the news reports, yell for marriage rights, and incite the name of Harvey Milk every now and again. But what do we think about the rest of the things that matter to us? Tell me, will marriage equality have any meaning on a planet ruined by climate shifts. What will the things Harvey Milk stood for, and died for, mean in a world torn asunder by nuclear catastrophe? Equality may have meaning in our deepest feelings and longings, but I’m sure our community has more to offer the world than just equality. We can play a pivotal role in changing the paradigm of a new generation of Americans, rather than sit at home and scream at our televisions about what either of the candidates is doing. For me, politics isn’t argumentation and celebrity. Politics is the very device we have used for thousands of years to change our world! We have changed so much, and we have the obligation, as self-loving human beings, to change everything about our world for the better. Q
FRC wants more hatred in the pews After a new study was released showing that one-in-five Americans are not religiously affiliated, the anti-gay Family Research Council released a statement claiming authority as to why the drop in religiousness. The statement says churches that accept gays and lesbians, or do not regularly condemn homosexuality, will continue to face dwindling numbers. The statement reads, “It’s time to push back on the spin that’s feeding our weak brethren who say that compromising truth in pursuit of love is the way to reach the lost.”
Gay athletes face more harassment Student athletes who identify as gay or bisexual are more frequently harassed than their straight counterparts, according to a new study conducted by Campus Pride. Negative comments can affect athletic performance and academic development. The study polled more than 8,400 students from universities around the nation. The report also found that harassment from teammates, administrators and coaches was most prevalent.
like Men may be able to reproduce through stem cells Men may be able to create an egg out of their own stem cells without the use of a female donor according to new advances made in the science by a Japanese laboratory. Unlike surrogacy, the child would be born with the DNA of both parents. The bio-engineered eggs were fertilized in-vitro with sperm created from stem cells as well, and then implanted in test mice. The pregnancy produced healthy mice, and so far, this accomplishment is a rousing success.
Pro athletes are pro-equality ESPN.com surveyed pro athletes from the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB to ask about where players stood on issues, including marriage equality. Overall, the players voiced support of same-sex marriage, 59.3 percent to 40.7 percent. Baseball and basketball players were more anti-equality than other leagues. Hockey and football were the most supportive sports.
november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
VIEWS | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 27
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28 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | DINING GUIDE
2012
DINING GUIDE
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
From Utah dining establishments to the ever-expanding and innovative culinary scene — gastronomy in Salt Lake City is surprisingly diverse. We’ve recapped four of our favorite new dining experiences. We share our experiences with inventive and original cocktails, farm-fresh produce, organic wines, vegan and gluten-free offerings and good old-fashioned comfort food from Zest, Finca, Taqueria 27 and Squeezebox.
Also, be sure to read the recap of some of our favorite restaurants from our more comprehensive list, which is also available online at gaysaltlake.com.
From tapas to meatballs, Finca adds to new Salt Lake dining scene By Josh Jones
“Snout
to tail, local, farmer’s market, tapas,” — it seems every restaurant opens with similar catch-phrases on the press releases. But for once, there’s a new dining spot in the city that puts the pedal to the metal. Finca, 1291 S. 1100 East, does it all without (too much) pretentiousness and with a whole lot of love. Scott Evans has remarkably raised the bar again. There are some fantastic dishes at Finca — beautiful, wonderfully cooked and plated, but I want to focus on just one. Meatballs. No, not meatballs like your mom cooks (even if she is from Italy) I mean albondigas ($10). A lamb meatball made with the utmost love and care. Tender, luscious, wonderful little balls that melt in your mouth; they are literally the cotton candy of meat. A light tomato sauce blankets the balls in a sweeter-than-usual, but terrifically clean and bright tomato flavor. A deep, glimmering red — the color of true blood, this recipe should be copyrighted. This plate alone would qualify Finca as one of the best restaurants in the state.
Although it’s hard to turn away the meatballs, I should tell you about a few other menu items ... meatballs, oh! I mean... . Most of the menu consists of Spanish tapas and most items very reasonable and perfect for sharing with a group. Pork-belly skewers were slow-cooked and delicious, though the alternating eggplant squares were just a bit too charred. A real stand out was the Boquerones ($6), small crostini’s with an anchovy over a tomato and red pepper paste; they had a wonderful texture with nice balance of sweet and salty. As an alcohol lover, I’d be remiss not to mention the exciting bar program Scott Gardner has put together. Let’s face it, a lot of Utah restaurants’ cocktail menus are not very inspiring. The restrictive laws make it difficult to be truly creative, but Gardner has turned that assumption on its head. Cocktails like the La Hierba Verde ($10) with local vodka, lemon, sauvignon blanc, celery bitters and herbs are complex and refreshing. The bar menu also highlights Spanish spirits, sherries and ports. The program tips its hat to Spain with exclusive Spanish wines. Evans, the gracious owner of Pago, has once again elevated Salt Lake dining. His passion for restaurants is evident as he is ever present at both locations. Personally, I can’t wait to see what he does next.
DINING GUIDE | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 29
november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
DINING GUIDE Cucina Vanina 1844 Fort Union Blvd., SLC 91/100 – $$ Cucina Vanina adds old–world Italian charm to Cottonwood in an unassuming location. The authentic Italian restaurant is owned and operated by Chef Vanina Meystre Pirollo, a Napoli native. The no–frills eatery is a must–visit for its casual approach to upscale dining.
Shallow Shaft 10199 East Highway 210, Alta 93/100 – $$$ From smoked Utah trout cakes to a perfectly cooked and glazed lamb — there’s nothing shallow about Shallow Shaft. In addition to a charming atmosphere in Little Cottonwood Canyon, the exciting and original menu is sure to bring back memories of classic home–cooked meals that are beautifully presented and artfully made.
Dojo
tion. Fish, pork, an impressive selection of cheeses and other modern twists to old classics are reason enough to stop by valley.
Vuz 12234 Draper Parkway, Draper 94/100 – $$$ Designed to be a metropolitan wine bar that would fit comfortably into New York, San Francisco or Los Angeles, Vuz is as stunning as its delectable food. Small and large plates cover some of the most innovative cuisine in the city. 6281 Emigration Canyon Road 89/100 – $$ The Sun & Moon is housed in three old cabins conjoined into one large, rustic and comfortable space. Don’t miss the sea bass served in an orange–crème and Grand Marnier reduction topped with crisp shoestring yam fries.
Meditrina
423 W. 300 South, SLC 91/100 – $$ Sushi rolls are as pretty as a painting at this restaurant on the skirts of the Gateway. From California rolls to sashimi and chilled oranges and plum wine for dipping, the truly unique sushi restaurant is a hidden delight.
Nuch’s Pizzeria
Trio
ZY Food Wine and Cheese 268 S. State St., SLC 89/100 – $$$ Food, wine and cheese in a contemporary environment make this outstanding SLC eatery stand out from the competi-
Fall is here and it’s time to settle inside with red wine, comfort food and dark liquors to survive the coming winter. What could be more appropriate than Wild Turkey 101 recipes for the season?
Pass the Turkey 1/2 ounces Wild Turkey 101 2 ounces apple cider 1 tablespoon cranberry jelly 1 sprig fresh sage 1 sprig fresh thyme Muddle sage and thyme with apple cider. Add ice, top with Wild Turkey and cranberry jelly.
Shake well, strain over ice in a glass rimmed with turkey jus and breadcrumbs.
Smashed Pumpkin 1 ounce Wild Turkey 101 1/4 ounce almond liqueur 1/4 ounce cinnamon schnapps 2 ounce pumpkin pie filling 1/2 ounce heavy cream Puree or froth pumpkin pie filling with heavy cream. Mix with other ingredients in a shaker with ice; shake well and strain into a martini glass. Rim with crumbled graham crackers and a cinnamon stick; top with a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg.
Sun & Moon Café
1394 S. West Temple, SLC 90/100 – $$$ Owned and operated by business and life partners — Meditrina is a Salt Lake institution. Nestled quietly into a nondescript neighborhood, it serves very creative small plates and wine. The wine pairing events are legendary.
2819 S. 2300 East, SLC 96/100 – $$ Serving up much more than just pizza — the sounds, scents and tastes of Nuch’s Pizzeria will take diners straight to Little Italy. Don’t miss the butternut squash ravioli with a brown butter sauce or the house specialty calzone.
November cocktails – Pass the Wild Turkey
6405 S. 3000 East, SLC 680 S. 900 East, SLC 89/100 – $$ Beautifully plated dishes and authentic, Italian flavors abound at both Trio locations. Flatbread pizza to pan–seared tuna and short ribs are just some of the highlights.
WASHINGTON SQ. CAFE SL City & County Building 93/100 – $ Breakfast and lunch at the City & County Building, with coffee, soup, sandwiches, gluten-free options and the paranormal. CONTINUED ON PAGE 31
S a lt La ke's N ewest D i n i n g & N i g ht l i fe C o n ce pt h ea lt hy • o rg a n i c • lo ca l & fo o d • d r i n ks • l i ve m u s i c
Announcing the Zest App & Loyalty Program Visit Zest during October & November to receive an additional 10 loyalty points Scan the QR code to get the Zest App & join the Loyalty Program 275 S o u t h 20 0 West • S a lt La ke C ity, 841 01 • ZestS LC.co m • Fa ce b o o k/ZestS LC 21 + esta b lis h m e nt
30 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | DINING GUIDE
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
Salt Lake gets some Zest
I should
say upfront that Casey Staker, owner of Zest, is a longtime friend and someone I respect immensely. My partner and I always requested him as our server at Red Rock Brewing Co., 12 years ago. It’s not just that he’s adorable, but also a consummate professional and even then he knew how to deliver service better than people who had been in the industry for decades longer. After a successful run as owner of W Lounge, he’s opened Zest Kitchen and Bar, 275 S. 200 West. I’m kind of blown away with what he’s done to the old Hapa Taqueria and Acme Burger location. It’s been renovated with a beautiful bar, painted colors that don’t make you want to gouge your eyes out (ahem, Hapa!), and the esthetic is modern and clean with beautiful large pieces of food porn on the walls. Before I get to the food, as an imbiber, I must start with the cocktail menu – a wonderfully inventive and refreshing beverage program that you might expect from a nightlife impresario like Staker. A jalapeno margarita that doesn’t skimp on the spice is wonderful but my favorite had to be the beet sangria. It’s made with organic wine, organic beet juice and other fresh juices. It won’t be for everyone, but it’s just so different and unique and honest-to-god healthy that everyone should try it once. It would make for a terrific brunch cocktail, but I’ll take it with any meal. A nice play on a whiskey ginger, the Ginger Spice with fireball whiskey, ginger beer, apple juice and candied ginger is a warming drink perfect for a fall evening. The wine and liquor list is quite impressive. For the last year, Staker has been quietly experimenting with vegetarian and vegan recipes, and every menu item
comes directly from his own test kitchen. From the many times I saw him walk through the kitchen I can tell each item on the menu is his baby. Examining plating and tasting – he’s a proud papa. And for good reason as each gluttonfree menu item is lovely. I have a few favorites, but two that stood out are the pasta with a wonderfully rich tomato sauce, spinach and kalamata olives ($12) and the grilled eggplant with red bell peppers, roasted fingerling potatoes and roasted red pepper couli ($12). Both these dishes were wonderful, bursting with rich flavor and fresh ingredients. I’ll admit, I was skeptical of the concept when I first heard of Zest but I was bowled over, especially after tasting the stuffed avocado with Mexican-seasoned and crushed walnuts, romaine salad, pico, cashews and sour cream ($12). Staker’s club roots carry over to Zest with a disc jockey slowly turning up the volume in the evening to more of a lounge/club feel later in the evening. I’m past my club days, so I’ll defer to my friends at City Weekly who said it “serves up a heavy dose of certifiedorganic ass-shaking.” However, I’ve been there earlier in the evening when the music had a vibe but wasn’t loud. Salt Lake is home to some truly great vegetarian restaurants, but none do it with the level of class and casual elegance that Zest has going for it. Congratulations Casey, I’m looking forward to this new evolution. Q
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november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
DINING GUIDE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29
Sea Salt 1709 E. 1300 South, SLC 91/100 – $$ Try the risotto balls and pork shoulder at the old– world style Italian restaurant. Sea Salt also has an impressive wine selection and diverse menu.
Takashi 18 Market St., SLC 93/100 – $$$ The Fabby Award–winning sushi restaurant has selections for the adventurous and the traditional. This restaurant is defined by its creativity, spectacular ingredients and warm company. The artistic and detail–oriented plating may be the best in Utah.
Christopher’s Steakhouse 134 W. Pierpont Ave., SLC 90/100 – $$$ One of the staples of steak in Salt Lake offers so much more, like the lobster corn dog — lobster fillets, skewered, dipped in a light and delicious batter and then deep fried. Ribs, rib– eyes, filets and chops are all artfully prepared.
Fratelli Ristorante 9236 S. Village Shop Dr, Sandy 89/100 – $$ The menu is extensive with pizzas, pastas salads and classical Italian entrées. It’s the kind of place you’ll keep going back for more.
Tiburon 8256 S. 700 East, Sandy
91/100 – $$$ The quality of cuisine, service and the attention to detail are about as good as it gets in Utah. The contemporary take on steaks, chicken and pasta is refreshing.
ceremony at Tin Angel. Local ingredients, exotic wine and a rustic urban atmosphere define this local eatery. Each dish is made with great care and plated beautifully.
St. Regis
912 E. 900 South, SLC 1515 S. 1500 East, SLC 88/100 – $$ Traditional Lebanese cuisine served in the 9th & 9th and 15th & 15th neighborhoods. The chic ambiance and delicious food makes for a great night out.
2300 Deer Valley Drive, Park City 93/100 – $$$ Melt–in–your–mouth ribs, the best pizza in the state and an array of seafood selection that can’t be found anywhere else in Utah makes this Deer Valley resort restaurant a classic. The chefs don’t over–complicate things and utilize simple, classic culinary methods.
Tin Angel 365 W 400 South, SLC 91/100 – $$ Small plates and wine are married in a proper
Mazza
Frida Bistro 545 W. 700 South, SLC 95/100 – $$ Frida Bistro is known for its tasty and original drinks, authentic Mexican wine and an ambiance fit for any Guadalajara restaurant. Diners aren’t treated to Americanized dishes, but
authentic and delicious meals.
Wahso 577 Main St., Park City 93/100 – $$$ Architecturally designed sushi, small plates and a diverse wine selection abound at Wahso in Park City. Try the grilled lamb with a wine reduction and infused with pomegranates.
Canella’s 204 E. 500 South, SLC 91/100 – $$ The neighborhood, family–owned and operated restaurant is a welcome place for any Utah queer. The homemade lasagna, polenta and Cesar salads are a sure–fire hit. Neighborhood restaurants are making a come–back in 2012 and Canella’s is leading in a big way. CONTINUED ON PAGE 35
CHEF NATHAN POWERS invites you to
Celebrate the Season 200 SOUTH & MAIN www.bambara-slc.com
32 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | DINING GUIDE
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
Squeezebox restaurant goes for Victorian flair Housed
in Salt Lake City’s Peery Hotel, the Squeezebox restaurant has a Cajun-inspired menu and a classic Victorian
design. The blood-red walls with a few gears thrown on for good measure are the restaurant’s attempt at a steampunk design. As the restaurant is just getting started it has yet to fill in the cracks of the decor, and mostly bare walls hint at what’s yet to come. After being seated and taking in the vaulted ceilings and buxom waitresses, we opened our two-page menu. It covers a lot of ground — from jambalaya to burgers to crab cakes — the selection goes beyond traditional Cajun fare and has entrees for the unadventurous or ambitious diner. We started with a very thick, bread-like pizza that was nearly void of sauce. What it lacked in tomato coverage, it made up for in cheese, sausage and peppers. Before long, the
crust was moved to the side of the plate and we inhaled the sautéed vegetables and spicy meats. The baked macaroni and cheese with Andouille sausage was a basic approach to the classic dish. No frills and well executed. There were two sausages served along-side the pasta plate in an unattractive plating. The French Dip special ($4 on Thursdays) might be the menu highlight. The au jus was savory and the sandwich with piles of juicy roast beef and served with a side of fries is a perfect lunch option. Food options are affordable and most entrees are under $15. But ordering a simple well whiskey drink upped our bill by nearly $7. The drink menu was unimaginative, pricy and
www.vinto.com
salt lake city 418 east 200 south 801.539.9999
park city 900 lower main street 435.615.9990
had no specialty or original cocktails. I can’t imagine why the restaurant hasn’t added a Victorian Lavender Lemonade or a Melon Liquid Absinthe for some much-needed character. We wanted to love Squeezebox. But until some of the kinks are ironed out — we’re stuck with a restaurant not yet realizing its full potential. Q
mon-thurs 11am-10pm fri & sat 11 am-11pm sun 4pm-9pm
DINING GUIDE | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 33
november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
Cebicheria Peruana Live Organic Vegetarian Gluten Free Food
GRAND OPENING!
Try Our Bean Burrito! 2148 Highland Drive
801-486-0332
www.omarsrawtopia.com
310 BUGATTI DRIVE South Salt Lake
801.467.2890
15%F OF
d is a h t with
Absolutely Fabulous. For people of all ages to hang out, play pool, get on the internet, play music COFFEE BURGERS SANDWICHES SOUPS SALADS APPETIZERS BREAKFAST BRUNCH POOL TABLE VIDEO GAMES JUKE BOX FREE WIFI OPEN Mon-Thur 7a–7p Friday 7a-3p AND After Bar Closing Fridays and Saturdays
259 W 900 S 801 364-4307
www.offtraxslc.com
Next to Club Try-Angles, Half Block from TRAX in the NEW Gayborhood!
Home of the Happy Hangover Sunday Brunch 11am–2pm Q PON
Free Soda or Coffee with food purchase
Lunch Dinner Cockt ails
18 West Market Street 8 01 • 5 19 • 9595
34 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | DINING GUIDE
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
Taqueria 27 serves up innovative tacos, mole and more By Josh Jones
I’ve had
tacos in Miami and Modesto, from Cancun to Connecticut. I love tacos — from 59¢ street tacos in San Miguel de Allende to my mom’s (very different) Mormon tacos. Tacos are like burgers — there are better ones, but usually you can’t go too wrong. A while back there was a place downtown (which I won’t mention for certain reasons) that served “street tacos” for about $4. It was outrageous! The taco cart around the corner selling a much better tongue taco was a quarter of the price. They went under rather quickly, and I thought, quite deservedly. So I was a bit skeptical when
Taqueria 27 opened and sounded familiar – “a modern Taqueria featuring unique interpretations of Latin street food.” But I was also intrigued. The location at 1615 S. Foothill Dr. (in the same strip mall as the alcohol store), has been transformed with modern Latin esthetics, exposed concrete floors and rough-hewn wooden walls. The service was great with Jessy Jamze as lead server, swooping and a lot of swishing — he’s honest-togod one of the best front-of-the-house guys in Salt Lake. He knows the menu in and out and has a light touch to his service. The food is incredible. My last taco was my favorite with fresh halibut lightly grilled with cabbage, Tamarindo slaw and jalapeno tartar. It sounds overwhelming, but tucked between a daily, in-house tortilla — it’s perfect. One of the best fish tacos I’ve ever had. My dining companion and I thought the GOD — Guac o’ the Day — with grilled pineapple was a bit off. I’d stick with the
queso fundido, a rich balance of Oaxaca and Chihuahua cheeses melted together with mole verde. Three other visits included the shrimp taco and a truly wonderful duck confit taco with roasted vegetables and leeks. The duck was perfectly cooked and, if left whole, could have been a main dish in a French restaurant. Taqueria also has mole platters and salads, but we never got past the tacos. Finally, the restaurant boasts almost every tequila available in Utah, almost 40 selections. I normally don’t order dessert, but I had heard so much about the chocolate tres leches, I couldn’t pass it up. It certainly lived up to the rumors, with rich chocolate core and the condensed cream smothering the plate and more whipped cream on top, a fantastic finish.
DINING GUIDE | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 35
november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
DINING GUIDE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31
Sapa 722 S. State St., SLC 95/100 – $$ Sushi, sashimi, lamb and beef dishes delight in this beautiful ambiance. Americanized dishes for the more timid diner are mixed with full plates of fresh fish fill the menu.
Franck’s 6263 S. Holladay Blvd., Holladay 89/100 – $$$ Try the famous meat loaf — a molded and mounded mixture of pork, chicken and veal, with mashed potatoes and banana squash puree drizzled with a berry and lavender sauce. Dining at Franck’s is a culinary experience in a museum–like atmosphere.
Bambara 202 S. Main St., SLC 91/100 — $$$ Bambara is an oasis surrounded by a downtown culinary scene that is sometimes lacking. The wine selection is one of the best in the state.
Pago 878 S. 900 East, SLC 93/100 — $$$ Diners are sure to love the rustic and comfort food concepts in a metropolitan-style restaurant. The pan–seared scallops are simply divine.
Pagoda 26 E St., SLC 89/100 — $$ Tempura shrimp, chunks of sea bass and salmon teriyaki are just some of the highlights from the
BREAKFAST
restaurant at the base of the Avenues. The plating may not be as artistic as some other restaurants, but the flavor profiles are spot on.
management is evident in every detail.
Omar’s Rawtopia
Finn’s
2148 Highland Dr., SLC 88/100 — $$ At this all-raw restaurant, instead of regular lunch fare such as soups, pizza, sandwiches and soda, diners can enjoy such inspired dishes as crème de broccoli “soup,” hummus pizza, sweet basil seaweed rolls and thick, hearty hemp milk chai — which, although served cold like all of the food at the restaurant, is the perfect spicy drink for the winter holidays.
1624 S. 1100 East, SLC 90/100 — $ Open for breakfast and lunch, this Sugar House eatery will bring back quality nostalgia. Finn and his wife run the diner as a team and this hands–on
259 W. 900 South, SLC Not yet reviewed — $ Soups, salads, sandwiches and breakfast items are the highlight at this gay-owned and operated restaurant. After Club Try-Angles
Pig & A Jelly Jar 401 E. 900 South, SLC Peanut butter, jelly and bacon sandwiches, maple–brined pork chops and perfectly cooked and seasoned eggs and fries are some of the highlights of this local diner. The prices are affordable, the atmosphere is homey, but a few kinks are still being ironed out.
LUNCH
Off Trax
EVENTS
MEETINGS
closes on weekend nights, the party continues at Off Trax.
The Green Pig 31 E. 400 South, SLC Not yet reviewed — $ The rooftop patio offers some of the best city views all summer long. The menu features traditional but well-made pub fare. Don’t miss the sliders and the tuna melt.
Del Mar al Lago 310 Bugatti Ave., SLC Not yet reviewed — $$ This Peruvian restaurant focuses on authenticity and is a true Cebicheria. Most of the dishes revolve around the best spicy, fresh and mouth-watering ceviche north of the equator.
36 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | TRANSGENDER
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
Transgender groups to celebrate awareness month In celebration of Transgender Awareness Month, the Utah Pride Center and Transgender Education Advocates of Utah are hosting a series of activities through the month of November. From a candlelight vigil, to movie screenings and art shows, the celebration isn’t just designed for transgender and gender nonconforming people, but also allies and those interested in learning more. The month’s activities culminate at the Genderevolution 2012: Gender Apocalypse conference on Nov. 17 at Salt Lake Community College, 9750 S. 300 West, Sandy, Utah. “We are offering a full slate of activities throughout the month that focus on a variety of issues,” said Liz Owens, transgender program coordinator for the Utah Pride Center. “We really want to discuss some important issues and want to encourage everyone to attend, not just trans-identified people.” Although many may not identify as trans or gender queer, there are so many Utahns that don’t fit the specific gender roles, or gender binary descriptions, she said. Whether they’re a man who wears pink shirts and girl jeans or a woman who normally wears pants and a T-shirt, the conference will explore specific gender roles and the traditional gender binary codes. Other activities include a kickoff party on Nov. 1, a screening of the film, TRANS and an art exhibition of works by transgender artists and other trans themes. Whether participants identify as gender queer, trans, allied or just curious, the events are open to everyone and most are
free, Owens said. “I can only speak from the experience of talking with others, but I know that being trans in Utah can be difficult. The activities are a perfect time to meet people, find out
For a full lineup of activities and information or to register for the conference early, go to utahpridecenter.org.
Anthology collects, explores trans fiction The absence of trans, gender queer and gender nonconforming people in books, movies, television and art is glaringly obvious. And finding any trans protagonists whose struggles are more than gender identity issues is nearly impossible, said Salt Lake City author Mikki Whitworth. She’s one of 28 trans authors who contributed works to The Collection, a new anthology of fiction. Whitworth’s piece tells the story of a young trans woman who is also a super hero. In place of autobiographical stories surrounding transitioning, changing gender markers on identifications and finding health care, Whitworth’s super hero simply kicks ass. “There is a lot of terrific trans-related literature out there, but it’s so hard to find stories that just tell the stories that we like to hear. We need more fiction where trans people can really identify with the characters. Not just relate to them, but identify with them,” Whitworth said. “That’s one of the reasons I was so excited to participate in this project.” The book is available just in time for Transgender Awareness Month and the
LUCKY STIFF
A
important information and just participate in something bigger than yourself,” she said. “We will address some of the most important issues facing trans people, from changing gender markers on identification to health and safety.”
West Coast debut of the book will be held Friday, Nov. 16, 7 p.m., in the Gore Auditorium at Westminster College, 1840 S. 1300 East. Six of the book’s contributing authors will be present for a reading and discussion. The event is free and open to the public. “The writers chosen for The Collection represent some of the best trans work that is being done in North America within this genre,” said co-editor Tom Leger, “and putting them all together in one place is an unprecedented step forward as a unified movement.” The book is the first step in a movement toward literature and art that reflects the personal experiences of trans and gender nonconforming people, Whitworth said. From super heroes to heartbroken lovers and homeless outsiders, there is an expansive nature to the works that encompass a large spectrum of human experience and emotion. The book is available online at topsidepress.com and locally at The King’s English Bookshop, 1511 S. 1500 East. For a full listing of events and activities for Transgender Awareness Month, go to utahpridecenter.org.
LYNN AHRENS (BOOK/LYRICS) & STEPHEN FLAHERTY (MUSIC) DIRECTED BY JIM CHRISTIAN
NOV 2-3, 6-10 7:30 pm
ASL Interpretation Nov 3 • 2:00 pm Matinee Nov 10 Allred Theater • Val A. Browning Center for the Performing Arts
A
BY LYNN AHRENS (BOOK & LYRICS) & STEPHEN FLAHERTY (MUSIC)
DIRECTED BY JIM CHRISTIAN
NOV 2-3, 6-10
• 7:30 ALLRED THEATER
PM
BY LYNN AHRENS (BOOK & LYRICS) & STEPHEN FLAHERTY (MUSIC)
DIRECTED BY JIM CHRISTIAN
NOV 2-3, 6-10
• 7:30 ALLRED THEATER
Val A. Browning Center for the Performing Arts
ASL Interpretation Nov 3 • 2:00 pm Matinee on Nov 11
poster art by Jason Francis (2012)
$12/$9 • 801-626-7000 or WeberStateTickets.com
eber State University Department of Performing Arts
A
$12/$9 • 801-626-7000 or WeberStateTickets.com
poster art by Jason Francis (2012)
A
ASL Interpretation Nov 3 • 2:00 pm Matinee on Nov 11 eber State University Department of Performing Arts
PM
Val A. Browning Center for the Performing Arts
WSU Department of Performing Arts • weber.edu/performingarts/ • tickets: $12/$9 • 801-626-7000 or weberstatetickets.com
november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
Transgender support groups TransParent Support Group Meets first and third Thursdays of each month, 5–6:30 p.m., in the Utah Pride Center Multipurpose Room. This is a support group for parents and family members who have a young person who is transgender or questioning their gender. Find support with other families sharing their experiences and find resources from the UPC and the talented facilitators.
Kids Like Me Meets first Saturday of each month, 2–3:30 p.m., in the Utah Pride Center Middle Meeting Room. Kids Like Me is a play group for gender exceptional children and for children with gender exceptional caregivers. The purpose of the group is to provide a welcoming environment for kids and families to meet each other and to share resources. Accepting kids who are toilet trained, up to age 10.
TransAction Meets Tuesdays, 7–8:30 p.m. in the TINT room at the Utah Pride Center. TransAction is a youth-led advocacy group that organizes social events, activism, educa-
+
tion, and outreach for the transgender community and allies. TransAction is an inclusive group open to people of all identities and age. This month the activities include the following:
Transgender Adult Support Group Meets every other Thursday, 6:30–8 p.m., in the Utah Pride Center Multipurpose Room This group is for adults 18+ who identify as transgender or gender variant. Intake is required before joining the group. Contact Breeze Hannaford at breeze.hannaford@ va.gov or Hilary Madsen at hilary.madsen@gmail.com for more information.
Transgender Youth Support Group Transgender support group for all identities of gender variant youth up to age 21. Come explore the various issues facing young trans people. Intake is required before joining the group. Go to utahpridecenter.org for more information about meeting times and locations.
Annual Gender Conference
November 17th, 2012 10AM to 5:30PM SLCC Miller Campus 9750 S 300 W, Sandy UT
Registration is $25 includes Breakfast & Lunch
Transtastic Meets every other Thursday, 6:30–8 p.m. Transtastic is a social group for trans folk of all gender variant identities and all ages. The Utah Pride Center is located at 361 N. 300 West. For details about the programs, contact Liz Owens at elizabeth@utahpridecenter.org or 801539-8800 ext. 38.
= Organizations that make the world a better place may grow like a flowerbed; some wither, many propagate. One bloom is glorious, but a bouquet has power. Utah Nonprofits Association (UNA) exists to help nonprofit organizations succeed by providing their leaders with information, resources and training to help them manage their organizations. UNA is the only statewide membership association advocating for the full diversity of the nonprofit sector in Utah.
Join.
TRANSGENDER | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 37
Help.
801.595.1800
G row.
www.utahnonprofits.org
apocalypse: (from the original Greek apocálypsis meaning “un-covering”) a revelation of something hidden from humankind in an era dominated by falsehood and misconception. At Genderevolution, we aim to deconstruct gender mythology, explore the implications of socially constructed gender norms, and integrate our many intersecting identities. a program of Utah pride
www.UtahPrideCenter.org
38 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | FALL FASHION
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
Fall fashion preview: Color blocking and accents
Since 2009,
FRESH has been bringing Salt Lake City up a notch with classy, chic fashion — offering men’s and women’s clothing, shoes and accessories a step above the competition. Shoppers can stay local in the historic, fabulous and pretty damn gay 9th & 9th district for all the best fall and winter trends. You’ll find brands such as Brixton, Gentle Fawn, Lifetime Collective, Obey, RVCA, Jack by BB Dakota, Mink Pink and Commune, as well as jewelry from local artisans. This fall, colors are more subdued to match the weather. Color blocking is still in fashion, but grab an accent piece, such as a tie or a shirt under a sweater that is bolder, brighter and more eye-catching. While neutral gray may feel drab and so very un-fabulous, the austerity
november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
of the color can be accented by a bright red scarf or a plaid undershirt. Warm and fuzzy articles that drape over the silhouette come in a variety of patterns and colors and are the perfect fit for evening wear or a day at the office. FRESH provided all the clothing for the fall fashion spread and the photos were taken by David Daniels. For more information about his services, including commercial and personal photography, go to daviddanielsphotography.com.
FALL FASHION | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 39
Q salt lake’s
16
Go to freshpremiumgoods. com, call 801-532-3458 or visit the store at 870 E. 900 South, Salt Lake City.
9
40 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | A&E
arts
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
22 things you should do this month (More events at gaysaltlake.com.) By Tony Hobday
In October 2001 my close friends Blaine and Steve made it official they were a committed couple — after, like, four years of “I really like him but I don’t know if he feels the same.” God damn drama queens! Anyhoo, it’s bewildering that after 11 years (going on, like, 15) they still keep me around. Of course, I am their buffer and their fluffer; everything is my fault and I’m a bad influence; I’m their sounding board, house-sitter and fireman. I love them, and when they move to Supai, Ariz., to raise gay mink, I will weep for a year ... or until they move me there. Happy anniversary, my darling betches! October
26friday
Endowed with a unique sense of musicality, lesbian composer and guitarist extraordinaire Kaki King graces the Utah stage tonight. The 33-year-old artist is known for her percussive and jazz-tinged melodies. Her diverse technique includes fret tapping and flamenco style percussion, just to name two. She’s been heralded by Rolling Stone as “a genre unto herself.” 9pm, The State Room, 638 S. State St. Tickets $17, 800-501-2885 or thestateroomslc.com.
Utah Museum of Contemporary Art presents Battleground States, a collaboration of local, national and international artists who critically engage with the discourse of visual culture and gender studies. Through video, sculpture, installation and photography, these artworks explore ideas of how figuration, the body and identity intertwine. Among the dozens of artists are Trevor Southey, Annie Leibovitz, Carlos Motta and David Wojnarowicz. Regular gallery hours, through Jan. 5, UMOCA, 20 S. West Temple. Free, 801328-4201 or utahmoca.org.
In Oscar-nominated out director Lee Daniels’ new film, The Paperboy, a reporter returns to his Florida hometown to investigate a case involving a death row inmate. Based on the award-winning novel by Pete Dexter, this sexually and racially charged film noir stars Matthew McConaughey, Zac Efron and Nicole Kidman. Opens today, Broadway Centre Cinemas, 111 E. Broadway. Tickets $6.25-8.75, 801-321-0310.
29monday
Holy bat guano! Jim Smith is turning 29 years old — only one more year and he’s a troll ... yaaay! Anyhoo, if you love Jimmy as much as I do, celebrate with him tonight at Jim’s Big gay Birthday Bash. If you don’t know Jimmy, I mean biblically, then just buy him one shot, that’s all it takes. The earlier the better, he gets snockered pretty easily, Club Try-Angles, 251 W. 900 South. Free, 801-364-3203 or clubtry-angles.com.
30tuesday
A unique outing the day before Halloween could be found in this haunting tale, seen in great delight throughout areas of Eastern Idaho and Utah. Told entirely through continuous, haunting music, Deep Love: A Ghostly Folk Opera blends traditional folk instruments and melodies with bluesy American rock to tell the story of jealous love’s tragic reach beyond the grave. 8pm, Jeanne Wagner Theatre, Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. Broadway. Tickets $12, 801-355-ARTS or arttix.org.
NovEMBER
1thursday
Anybody up for meat pie? Oh, don’t get your prostate all in a tither, I’m talking about Sweeney Todd (The Demon Barber of Fleet Street). This classic musical tale, grotesquely appropriate this time of season, won eight Tony awards and was adapted to film, starring Johnny Depp ... as if you didn’t already know. Check out this student production by the UofU Department of Theatre.
7:30pm, through Nov. 18, Studio 115, Performing Arts Bldg., 240 S. 1500 East, UofU. Tickets $11–18, 801-581-7100 or kingtix.com.
Unlike any other Cirque du Soleil show, Quidam doesn’t take spectators to an imaginary realm of fanciful, larger-than-life characters. Rather, it’s an examination of our world — inhabited by real people with real concerns. A young girl, lonely and neglected — an outcast of sorts — finds comfort in her imagination. She creates a world called Quidam,
where she meets characters who encourage her to free her soul; a place for dreaming and genuine relations where all quidams, by proclaiming their individuality, can finally emerge from anonymity. Times vary, through Nov. 4, Maverik Center, 3200 S. Decker Lake Dr., WVC. Tickets $33–100, 801-988-8800 or maverikcenter.com.
2friday
Under new artistic director, Troy Powell, the renowned repertory dance company Ailey II is forging a fresh dimension to its already intense energy and spirited emerging dancers and choreographers. Don’t miss this boundless, sexy program as only the ark of Alvin Ailey, arguably the most influential African-American choreographer, can provide. 7:30pm, Eccles Center, 1750 Kearns Blvd., Park City. Tickets $20–67, 435655-3114 or ecclescenter.org.
Conductor Jerry Steichen, with guests Jason Hardink on piano and vocalist Lisa Vroman, goes back over 80 years with George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. The often analyzed and criticized composition combines elements of classical music with jazz-influenced effects. 8pm, through Saturday, Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple. Tickets $29–85, 801-355-ARTS or arttix.org.
4sunday
He has been called one of the most influential musical artists of all time ... and, let’s just admit it, one of the most controversial artists. Morrissey, an English singer and the former frontman of The Smiths, has produced, during his solo career, a catalog of music that includes 38 singles and nine Top 10 albums. And still no one for sure knows if he’s gay! But really, why should he shove it in our faces that he’s bent as a nine bob note?
7:30pm, Kingsbury Hall, 1395 E. Presidents Circle, UofU. Tickets $55–70, 801-581-7100 or kingtix.com.
5monday
Gays and Geeks, a social arm of the Utah AIDS Foundation’s Gay Men’s Health Project, presents
A&E | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 41
november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
Psychics and Crystal Balls, an evening of spiritual introspection. A “legitimate” psychic will hold a group session, and you can get your hairy palms read or a tarot reading. I wanna go see if we can conjure Betty White ... I know, she’s not deceased but close enough, right? 6pm, Salt Lake Roasting Company, 320 E. 400 South. Donations suggested, call Mario at 801-487-2323 for more info.
Westminster Poetry Series presents a reading by Lambda Literary Award-winning poet Cyrus Cassells. He has worked as a translator, actor, film critic and teacher as well as authored five books of poems, including the Lambda winner, Beautiful Signor. Cassells’ most recent book, The Crossed-Out Swastika, tells the stories of young people caught in the vise of World War II. 7pm, School of Business Auditorium, Westminster College, 1840 S. 1300 East. Free, for more info contact Natasha Sajé, at 801-832-2376 or nsaje@westminstercollege.edu.
8thursday
Straight from Off Broadway, this parody revue of over 30 Broadway hits will have you rolling in the aisles. Forbidden Broadway pokes at not only great award-winning and popular shows, but also many of the actors. Now I can’t say which shows they’ll pick on, but for the love of a date with Dallin Oaks, I hope they satirize Book of Mormon, just sayin’!. 8pm, through Nov. 11, Egyptian Theatre, 328 Main St., Park City. Tickets $22–45, 435-649-9371 or parkcityshows.com.
10saturday
Known for her prolific and smart performances on everything from Saturday Night Live to her panelist slot on NPR’s “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me,” the Emmy-award winner, and one-time Utah Pride headliner, Paula Poundstone, keeps the laughter flowing with clever banter. She’s a comedian with a knack for spinning the mundane into the hilarious. 7:30pm, Eccles Center, 1750 Kearns Blvd., Park City. Tickets $20–67, 435655-3114 or ecclescenter.org.
11sunday
Presented by SB Dance, award-winning Web sitcom Husbands hosts an evening to raise awareness about at-risk LGBTQ Utah youth. The evening opens with a social hour and then a screening of Husbands Season 2 and closes with a panel discussion featuring the series’ Trey McIntyre Project stars and creators Brad November 27 Bell (Cheeks) and Sean Hemeon (Brady), and singing. Each dancer plays a charrepresentatives from National LGacter that’s based on an archetype, BTQ Organizations. All proceeds and remains the same character go to Youth Homeless Resource throughout. Compassion, conforCenter of Salt Lake. mity, sensuality, codependence, 6pm, Jeanne Wagner Theatre, Rose Waginspiration and strength will interner Center, 138 W. Broadway. Minimum of $5 donation, accepted through 801act to expose some of the truths 355-ARTS or the ticket window. behind civilized society.
15thursday
Penetrating the tight-knit community of minority drag queens in New York City, director Jennie Livingston’s documentary, Paris Is Burning, offers an early glimpse at the art of “voguing.” The film also explores issues such as racism, homophobia and AIDS, while offering a detailed examination of the intricate Ball culture, in which queens are judged for their style and expression. 7pm, Brewvies, 677 S. 200 West. Free, utahfilmcenter.org.
16friday
SAGE Utah, a program of the Utah Pride Center, is dedicated to enhancing the lives of LGBTQ adults in our community ... and tonight, they’ll be doing it in a barn! Join the group for the Fall Harvest Potluck & Barn Dance. Question: Is it kosher to have a kiki in a barn? 6–9pm, Chase Mill at Liberty Park, corner of 600 East and 1300 South. Free, except for food, for more info visit utahpridecenter.org.
Mason Aeschbacher, musical director of Samba Fogo, presents Masonography, a unique form of performance art; it’s a dance concert with a plot, a play with no words, a musical without
7:30pm, through Saturday, Black Box Theatre, Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. Broadway. Tickets $14, 801-355-ARTS or arttix.org.
17saturday
Gay List #3 (considered euphemisms) by Lisa Lampanelli: “fag, queer, poop-chute Popeye, pudding pusher, stool tool, keester creeper (sounds like a Muppet), gerbil jouster, dung tonguer, turd tickler” ... and of course, Paul Ryan. And that’s her softer side. Check out the Queen of Comedy Sleaze, as she tells it as she’s seen it and done it ... only in Wendover. 7pm, Peppermill Concert Hall, 680 Wendover Blvd., West Wendover, Nev. Tickets $25–60, 1-800-217-0049 or wendoverfun.com.
24saturday
Hey all you Bendover Bettys, it’s the second Big Gay Fun Bus of the season, yaaaaaay! Don’t miss out on this pilgrim-themed charter to Wicked Wendover of the West. There will be bingo, prizes, libations and Ocean Spray cranberry sauce ... yes, canned is so much better than fresh. Noon–9pm, pick up at Club Try-Angles, 251 W. 900 South. Tickets $25, 801649-6663 or biggayfunbus.com.
27tuesday
Openly gay Trey McIntyre is one of the most sought after choreographers working today ... and he’s sexy! Though he has choreographed for many prestigious ballet companies in the world, today he focuses mostly on his own company, Trey McIntyre Project, creating works designed to reimagine dance, push boundaries and, most importantly, captivate audiences.
7:30pm, Kingsbury Hall, 1395 E. Presidents Circle, UofU. Tickets $19.50– 29.50, 801-581-7100 or kingtix.com.
30tuesday
Sexy frontman Brandon Flowers takes the stage with the rest of The Killers tonight. The Grammynominated alternative rock/postpunk four-man band is sure to kill. No pun intended ... oh, pshaw! Here’s a Wikipedia fact: Initially, The Killers played at small clubs in Las Vegas, Nev., where they often played at drag shows. How cute is that? Tegan & Sara open. 7:30pm, UCCU Center, 800 W. University Parkway, Orem. Tickets $28–53, 801-467-8499 or smithstix.com.
upcoming Dec. 31 Kristin Chenoweth @Eccles Center, Park City
Jan. 12 Big Gay Fun Bus @West Wendover
Mar. 9 Joan Rivers @Kingsbury Hall
42 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | A&E
interview
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
By Chris Azzopardi
After
years of speculation, Mika has finally confirmed it: He’s gay. Totally queer. Onehundred percent into men. Now, moving on: The British performer’s third album, The Origin of Love, is his most selfreflective work, from opening up about his sexuality to the ebb and flow of love, and even the bullies that he fended off as a kid. He even looks more a GQ than Toys R Us kid these days. Mika caught up with us to chat about whether he’s over talking about being gay, his female alter egos and how tight jeans help with the high notes. So, you’re gay. Are you sick of talking about it yet? (Laughs) The question before was, “Are you gay?” Now the question everywhere I go is, “What’s it like being a
29-year-old who’s gay?” It has never irritated me, and it’s never something that has bothered me, so I’m not sick of it. It’s not essential to understanding my music, but I guess if you want to understand me as a real person — as a person with facets and different angles — then it is important. So no, I’m all right with it, and I’m still answering those questions. It certainly didn’t make them go away. If anything it’s becoming even more a theme of conversation in interviews. How do you respond to people when they ask you what it’s like to be gay? I’m like, “What do you want me to say to that?” There are so many inappropriate things I could answer back. (Laughs) I’m like, “It’s not a color of a jacket that I chose that day.” It’s how I’ve always been programmed. It’s my brain. It’s part of who I am. I don’t really know how to answer that. I’m like, “Well, what’s it like for you to have brown hair?” Do you think the public is too concerned about celebrities’ personal lives? I don’t know if the public is too concerned. I think that at the end of the day, let’s face it, it’s a choice; anyone who says that every celebrity or public person doesn’t have a choice is insane. For many years I always said I’m not hiding my sexuality; it’s innately a part of what I do and what I’ve always done in my music, but whether I label myself or not, that is my personal choice and I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it. I did frustrate people and have to deal with the consequences of those choices, just like I have to deal with the consequences of labeling myself at this point in time. But the reason I was comfortable to label myself is because it was a decision I made on my own. I did it from a position of joy and confidence, and I felt like it was the right time. There was nothing negative, or no pressure, associated with the process or act of labeling myself as gay. For years, you were considered bisexual after you were misquoted, as you’ve said, in a Netherlands magazine. Why didn’t you ever come forward and clear that up? What am I supposed to say: “No, I’m not bisexual”? If I’m gonna talk about, I’ll leave it until I talk about my sexuality in an open, confident and unpressured way. Again, I made that decision, that right to take time and do things at my own pace. And I was like, “When I deal with this, I’ll deal with this properly. There’s no point dealing with something in a small way; when I do it, I have to do it in a positive way.” It’s not a negative thing. Whatever it is, it’s PHOTO: Alex de Mora
november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
not negative. If you zoom out and look at it with perspective, there’s no part of this that’s negative, because it’s a developing story. I’m 29 and I’m probably going to be a different person when I’m 33, so maybe we’ll be having a conversation then about sexuality or the politics of sexuality, and I may have completely different things to say about it. But all I know is that I’m happy and totally comfortable with my sexuality, and I can talk about it and say I’m not the 13-year-old who was looking at himself in the mirror and thinking, “How the hell am I gonna shake this sense of fear or pressure that I feel? Is there a way out?” So when I did the interview with Instinct recently, quite honestly I was a little nervous — but I wasn’t fearful. That’s why I knew it was the right thing to do. I said to myself, “Talk as if you’re talking to this 13-year-old who doesn’t know how to get out of how he’s feeling right now.” You’re 29? You seem so much younger. There is a naive childishness to my music. Even with this new record, which is definitely an evolution, it is more mature, but it’s still got this sense of mischief. There is that sense of youth. It’s essential to always be able to look at stuff in life in awe; if you know you can be in awe, or be awed by something, you know that you’re alive. I guess people can sometimes misunderstand that for childishness, because often it’s children who stand there with their mouth open, but I guess I’m very comfortable standing there looking at things with my mouth open ... being in awe. (Laughs) If an extremely beautiful person is walking down the street, I’ll just stand there and stare and they’ll think I’m the biggest psycho in the world. I also can’t say I know many adults who dance around their bedroom in just underwear. (Laughs) And on the one hand, I’m fully aware that in that video (for “We Are Golden”), there are moments of it where I look ridiculous, like in a bad way, and there are moments where I look great. It’s the combination of those two things that I’m fine with. I quite like it. You don’t mind looking a little ridiculous? Sometimes. As long as you can look hot a minute later. (Laughs) You sampled a Wicked tune for your song
“Popular” off the new album — a song that’s directed toward bullies. Can you explain the process of writing that? I wrote it with a friend of mine, Priscilla Renea; she’s becoming really well known for writing a lot of urban and hip-hop stuff. She’s actually the one singing it with me. We were sitting there and I was like, “Do you know that melody from the Wicked song ‘Popular’?” And she completely geeked out and I burst out laughing. I was like, “Listen to you. You walk around in your three-inch fake nails and you write raps and hooks on hardcore rap songs. Does anyone know you like Wicked?” And we laughed about it. She was tortured in school. She was made to feel like shit every day. And we were laughing how the people who write pop songs are often the least popular growing up. It’s that bizarre thing: You end up writing something that is innately popular or designed to be popular. So it started off like that. We wrote it as a conversation. I would say some things and she would answer back. I guess we were both thinking of that horrible feeling you get when you walk across the schoolyard. Bizarrely, I still feel that sometimes when I’m put in certain situations — that schoolyard mentality comes right back. Isn’t it weird? I can feel threatened sometimes, but when I’m onstage, no matter who I’m singing in front of, I feel like that’s my boxing ring and I have nothing to fear, and everything to say. I guess that’s where I found my outlet. So, Elphaba or Glinda? Elphaba is too soppy. I don’t feel sorry for her and her greenness. Like, she’s green — tough shit, get over it. (Laughs) I actually do find her really irritating. Gotta be honest. And when she sings “Defying Gravity,” I’m like, OK, big deal. What’s the highest note you can sing? It depends on the day and other various factors: altitude and whether I drank the night before. And it depends on the tightness of my jeans. The tighter the better, right? The tighter the better. Always. Is the namesake on the song “Emily” an alter ego of yours? It actually kind of is. I have various pen names, because I write for
A&E | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 43
other people and sometimes it’s easier when no one knows who’s written or co-written the song. So I have this little fleet of girls’ first names that I write under. One of them was discovered and it’s out, but I’ve got a few others that are still nice and safe. How does your boyfriend play into The Origin of Love? On the record you can hear a horrific breakup, you can hear me questioning myself and going on dates with other people, and then you can hear me finally finding love in the person who I was originally with — you see this transition through the record. I think for him, it’s a record with a happy ending ... well, for both of us, but it’s definitely something I think he sees a lot of truth in. As funny as it may seem, and as flippant and ironic as it may come across, “Love You When I’m Drunk” was written completely from truth. There’s no question that a lot of your songs have radio potential, but they’re often overlooked by American radio. Do you think that has anything to do with you being gay or your songs being flamboyant? I was accidentally copied on an email a couple of years ago, and it was from a person on radio saying that they wouldn’t play “Love Today” because it sounded like a guy who was singing in the range of a girl. I immediately assumed this had to do with sexuality or identity and I got really angry, and then I just was like, “You know what, it’s not; that’s just an excuse. It cannot be a reason.” I may just be naive, but I don’t know — it cannot be the reason. Maybe I’m just being a dick and I should take a reality pill, but if I took that reality pill then maybe I wouldn’t have made this last record, and I think that would’ve been a shame. With that said, I wanted to tour America again and (the label) was like, “Let’s do three shows and see how it goes.” So we put the three shows on sale and they sold out in 52 seconds ... all three shows sold out in 52 seconds! I can sell shows in America when I haven’t been there in four years and I haven’t had a single played on the radio. I can keep building my niche, and my fans are faithful, and I don’t have to compromise any part of myself or my writing. If that’s the case, then I’ll keep going. Q
44 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | A&E
By Tony Hobday
Gayby A hit among audiences at dozens of film festivals this year, the charming comedy, Gayby, releases on DVD, Dec. 10. Based on the short film by Jonathan Lisecki, who also wrote, directed and co-stars in this full-length version, a gay comic book salesman (not geeky ... think Ryan Reynolds more than Jim Parsons), on the outs after a break-up of a six-year relationship, and his BFHF, a yoga instructor whose dating life is on the fritz, decide to have a child together ... “the old-fashioned way.” Quick to the punch, Matt (Matthew Wilkas, Broadway’s Spiderman) receives a disarming text from Jenn (Jenn Harris) while on another ill-fated, online-scheduled date. Over a couple glasses of wine, Matt and Jenn agree off-the-cuff to impregnation without the commonly used turkey baster. Within the first 20 minutes of the film, Matt’s inserted and expelled five times — the first time is acutely awkward and funny and oddly sexy. Along the way to inception, they each hurdle personal dilemmas and enjoy personal triumphs, often in hilarious ways. Smartly written and full of oddball, iconic characters, including Lisecki — who plays Matt’s flamboyant friend who’s “becoming a bear,” “exploring his butch and masculine sides” — Gayby explores the emotional stamina of a gay-straight friendship when structurally frayed, while remaining unequivocally tight-knit. Wilkas and Harris give memorable performances, even at the infrequent times when the script loses sight or the music feels uninspired. Gingerly funny and sweet, Lisecki’s first feature film will make for a great stocking stuffer for anyone who’s suffering that gutwrenching hunger for a baby and/or who has a no-holds barred friendship with someone of the opposite sex. I am full-on ovulating for Lisecki’s abundant career as a filmmaker.
Leave it on the Floor Set in the diminishing populous of El Monte, Calif., the musical drama Leave it On the Floor is dedicated to an underground subculture of “Walkers,” makeshift families of entertainers, similar to those of drag queens
dvd reviews
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
and kings. In the film’s opening dedication it reads: This film is dedicated to the thousands of gay and transgendered kids in this country who are still thrown out or who run away from oppressive circumstance. Seeking to find new places to belong, they are all fierce and fabulous. We celebrate everyone. When a teenage boy, Brad, is kicked out of his home for being gay, he steals his mother’s car, and while on the run, stumbles on a world unknown to him, a world where outcasts and misfits compete for trophies in runway-style competition. When Brad is recruited by a top member of the House of Eminence, the house mother, Queef Latina, a fiery control freak, reluctantly allows him in, fearful of his sexual insurgence assuredly setting her family dynamic into a schism. And she’s right ... as a love triangle emerges among members of the house, tensions flare and tragedy strikes. Under an umbrella of original club-beat songs by Glenn Gaylord and Kim Burse, including “This is My Lament” and a fabulous ode to Mr. Timberlake, “Justin’s Gonna Call,” director Sheldon Larry, a veteran television director, comprises a bold new catharsis in gay musicals. Unfortunately, it’s not necessarily groundbreaking, but nonetheless somewhat entertaining.
Going Down in La-La Land I would think that making a film about life in today’s West Hollywood would be easily bagged and tied in a Force Flex receptacle bag, stretched by inflated ego and selfrighteousness — yet, includes well-conceived mockery that could even put a therapeutic smirk on a backwoods Tennessee tooth picker. So, when I heard Casper Andreas was releasing such a film, I was pretty excited about seeing it. However, Going Down in La-La Land falls short of my holistic vision of taking WeHo by its Botoxed neck and bitch-slapping some much-needed sensibility into it. Starting with what I can only characterize as Gay Scriptwriting 101, a young, gay boy-next-door packs up and moves from Anywhere, USA (it honestly doesn’t matter) to Los Angeles to become a big-time actor. Room and board is provided by the typical every-girl: A frothy, neurotic straight girl whose own love life is continually sticky like a 2-year-old’s face,
but who holds an omnipotent power to guide her gay best friend into everlasting love. Not only are the characters as predictable as the Emmys, their lives are swimming in California-sized clichés, from drug addiction and pornography to gym memberships and repeated parking tickets. If this film wasn’t set in L.A., and because I have a friend whose life once mirrored (except his every-girl was a neurotic, shabby cat) that of the lead character Adam’s, I would have found this movie to be rubber-stamped nonsense. To be fair, not everything about La-La Land deserves a thumbs-down; the performances are decent enough to hold your interest, and if you’ve ever lived in, or visited, West Hollywood, something nostalgic — whether painful or pleasant — will likely occur.
Funkytown Remember the drama flick 54, starring Ryan Philippe and Mike Myers? The flashy, stylistic 1998 film about the birth of the disco era had limited and little critical success, much like Studio 54 itself. However, during its height of popularity in New York City, across the Canadian border, in Montreal, there was another disco on the verge of culpability known as The Starlight Club. Similar in portrayal to 54, the large ensemble cast and layered plots of the FrenchEnglish Funkytown are flanked in strife and hardship ... without the glitter-ball flashiness. Mixed in the sorrowful melee is a young man named Tino, played by Justin Chatwin (War of the Worlds, TV’s Shameless) — likely the only recognizable actor to American audiences — who is engaged to be married but has an deep-seeded need to find comfort in the company of men. After tragedy strikes his family, Tino sparks an ill-fated relationship with a Starlight exec named Jonathan. The stigma on homosexuality of the time is deplored by social segregation that Tino finds difficulty in navigating. Several story lines flow congruently under the shadow of struggle between stardom and irrelevance, and each manifests into something almost tangible, measured by our many insecurities — albeit oftentimes stark and relentless. Gay screenwriter Steve Galluccio and director Daniel Roby bring to incredible life the events of late 1970’s Montreal disco scene with a gritty edginess that, linked to tracks of the best disco music ever made, limits you anguished yet inspired to go out and dance. Q
november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
A&E | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 45
46 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | FOOD&DRINK
Homemade ‘smoked’ salmon By Ed Sikov
This
month’s column is about how a single great hors d’oeuvre can elevate an easy dinner party into something truly special. The most common mistake hosts make is trying too hard. Unless you’re really sure of yourself and have at least a full day to prepare for your dinner party, don’t set yourself up for failure by overextending yourself. Your guests want to relax and have fun, not be wowed by your culinary expertise. So don’t be afraid to make a big bowl of spaghetti (and use bottled sauce if you have to), get two bags of salad mix and some bottled dressings and heat up a frozen pie. Put your energy into a “wow” appetizer: homemade “smoked” salmon. First things first: Stick a bottle of Absolut in the freezer. That’s your cocktail. You’re not a bartender, and your home is not a bar. You don’t have to
food& drink
stock everything on earth just in case somebody might want a (Jager Bomb). Icy vodka is classy, especially when you serve it with something as delicious as this easy-to-make salmon. Your local supermarket should carry “fresh” salmon; I put “fresh” in quotes because the salmon has almost certainly been frozen between sea and store. You want salmon filets, not steaks, and you need a pound or a pound and a half. You won’t be cooking this salmon, but rather preserving it, so take a particularly good look at it before you buy it. If possible, smell it, too. It should be moist but not greasy or dry looking, and it should smell faintly like the sea. If it has a strong fish odor or just plain looks bad, forget it; buy some cheese and crackers and make
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ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE PEOPLE WITH AIDS COALITION OF UTAH
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
this recipe another time. Buy a box of kosher salt. No, you’re not converting to Judaism, you’re merely going to be using coarse salt, and kosher salt fits the bill. Make sure you have a cup of sugar at home; if you don’t, buy some sugar, too. Now proceed to the tea department and look for Lapsang Soochong, a Chinese tea with a distinctly smoky flavor. If you’re lucky, they’ll have it looseleaved in a tin; if not, you’ll have to buy teabags and cut the bags open at home. Buy some unsalted butter or whipped cream cheese and some party rye, and pick up a bunch of dill if it looks good. Two days before your dinner party, mix 1 cup of Lapsang Soochong tea leaves with 1 cup of coarse salt and 1 cup of sugar. Place two layers of plastic wrap crosswise in a Pyrex
save the date
loaf pan (or other nonreactive square or rectangular deep dish), and layer the salt/sugar/ tea mixture with the salmon filets until you run out of both. Fold the plastic wrap over the top, weigh the fish down with a stack of small plates, and put the whole thing in the refrigerator. The day of the party, remove the fish from the fridge, and — in the sink, because it will drip — separate the fish from the now-wet salt/sugar/tea mixture. Using a knife, scrape off as much of the mixture from the filets as possible. Do not do this under running water! You’ll lose too much flavor that way. So what if some specks of tea leaves remain on the salmon? Then, starting at the thin end of each filet, carefully slice them on a sharp diagonal — almost horizontally, really — so that you have nice looking slices about a half-inch wide. Put the butter or cream cheese out on the counter to come to room temperature — it’s spreadable that way. Put the fish back in the fridge. Right before serving, spread some butter or cream cheese on the party rye, put a piece of salmon on each slice, top with a sprig of dill, et voila! Q
December 7–9
Salt Lake Men’s Choir Christmas Concert saltlakemenschoir.org december 16
Email arts@qsaltlake.com
PWACU Annual Holiday Party
November 17
pwacu.org
TransAction Gender Conference utahpridecenter.org NOVEMBER 24
january 9–13
Utah Gay & Lesbian Ski Week communityvisions.org
Big Gay Fun Bus to West Wendover
January 17–27
biggayfunbus.com
sundance.org/festival
December 1
may 31–june 2
Sundance Film Festival
World AIDS Day
Utah Pride Festival
utahpridecenter.org
utahpridefestival.org
FOOD&DRINK | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 47
november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
Fall Harvest Potluck & Barn Dance A Not-to-Miss-Event
Thank You to pinkdot St. George for expanding the pinkdot Utah community!
Friday November 16, 2012 6:00 - 9:00PM
Chase Mill @ Liberty Park 589 East 1300 South
SAGE Utah will provide all utensils and beverages. Open to Everyone.
Straight Allies Stand Up for Acceptance
for additional info--contact charles@utahpridecenter.org or drew@utahpridecenter.org
www.UtahPrideCenter.org
PinkDotUT.org
Thank You to Our Community & Friends for Your Support National Coming
Day Oct. 7, 2012
48 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | A&E
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
hear me out Kylie Minogue, Tristan Prettyman By Chris Azzopardi
Kylie Minogue The Abbey Road Sessions It’s practically an unspoken rule that being gay means you have to adore Kylie Minogue. We take her seriously. But non-queers? They only know who she is when the wedding DJ plays “Locomotion.” It’s a sad fact that Minogue’s wholesome dance act – admittedly, I’m a fan – hasn’t translated to the American masses outside of a minor hit here and there (her catalog, then, is recycled more than the stuff in your bin). The Abbey Road Sessions isn’t designed to
catapult Kylie to Madonna heights, but it serves as a great gateway to another dimension of an underrated artist who has spent her career in the shimmer of a disco ball. Let’s call this one Kylie’s “serious album”: refined, sophisticated and intimate. She still sounds magical – though her limitations as a capable-but-unremarkable vocalist are clearer in this stripped-down undertaking – on these 16 revamped tracks, including the new “Flower.” But notably missing are the thuds and synths. In their place are orchestral sweeps, lounge vibes that sound more piano-bar than nightclub, and even ventures into good ol’ big band. “Never Too Late” takes a minimalistic piano approach, sounding nothing like the bubblegum burst of the original, while early ’90s single “Finer Feelings,” with its rising string section,
Also Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning
sounds ready to accompany the most dramatic scene in a big-budget romance. If the gays had their way, it would. Grade: B+
Tristan Prettyman Cedar + Gold Breaking up is hard to do, but it works wonders on careers – especially if your name is Adele. The same successes are owed to Tristan Prettyman, whose third album comes after she and Jason Mraz broke off their engagement. Prettyman’s reflections on her relationship with the hippie pop star – from first kisses to the end, when he broke her heart – are honest, vulnerable and just plain sad as hell. “Just so you know, I never thought you’d let me go,” a line from the devastating “I Was Gonna Marry You,” makes it easy to blame Mraz, as the song suggests he left and she had no idea why. It’s a painful letting-go, one filled with confusion and hurt and some pretty revealing words directed toward her ex-fiancé, but at least she got an addictive hook out of the deal. The song, with her voice moving so beautifully in swoops over the melody, will easily rank among the best of the year. Prettyman’s impressive lyricism is especially captivating on “Say Anything”; in just a couple simple lines, it
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expresses how love makes you feel on top of the world – and the distress it causes when it all comes crashing down. It’s a wrenching contrast. So what does she do? She gets laid. “The Rebound” is a cheeky guitarchomp about a grocery store hookup. Just because she’s not crying herself to sleep doesn’t mean you won’t. Grade: A-
Also Out Green Day, ¡Uno! Something happened to the guys of Green Day postmillennium – they started seeing more Broadway shows. How else do you explain their transition from grunge-pop to rock-opera? There’s a reason 2004’s American Idiot became a musical: It was, for better, their most flamboyant album. They reel in the theatrics for their latest, a straight-up rock record that’s a nostalgic companion to their 1994 staple Dookie. It’s got edge, hooks and fireball anthems like “Loss of Control” and “Kill the DJ” that speak to all those rebellious teens who hate the world.
Mumford & Sons, Babel Despite the wistfulness of their sophomore album, Mumford & Sons can’t be feeling all that bad right now: Babel is the biggest debut so far this year, selling 600,000 copies in the first week. Does it live up to the hype? Kind of. The songs muddle together, but even the snobbiest music critic can’t deny that “Whispers in the Dark” is a folk-rock marvel. Others, like “I Will Wait,” desperately try for “Sigh No More” success. Giving the fiddle a rest on “Ghosts That We Knew,” an emotional plea for hope, turns out to be a wise choice. So, not a total sham. Q Chris Azzopardi is the editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBT wire service. Reach him via his website at chris-azzopardi.com.
A&E | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 49
november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
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50 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | A&E
Rebel Rising
interview
Why are you drawn to the outsider role? I always think of myself as an underdog. I’ve had to prove myself and be, in some cases, twice or triple as talented as other people, purely because I think I came from a lower-class background in Australia and no one from where I lived was a huge movie star. I thought I looked more like a normal girl, but then, weirdly, I’ve just stuck to what I am and Hollywood has found that quite refreshing – that I just was different. Then I marched through the doors of my agency and was like, “Heyyy, I’m Rebel! I’m an actress!” They thought I was really different from all other girls out there. I’m never the alpha one; I always feel like the underdog trying to achieve something.
Pitch Perfect star on what’s so gay about the movie, outsiders and spotting lesbians By Chris Azzopardi
Everyone’s
talking about Rebel Wilson, the scene-stealer in Bridesmaids who played Kristen Wiig’s trashy roommate and mistook her live-in’s diary for a “very sad, handwritten book.” The Australian breakout star has already had two other roles earlier this year with What to Expect When You’re Expecting and Bachelorette; her pilot for the ABC series Super Fun Night also just got the green light. Now she’s Fat Amy, the I-am-who-Iam collegiate mermaid dancer in Pitch Perfect who gets all the boys and belts her butt off as part of an all-girl a cappella group. Sprawled on a couch all cozy-looking in a track jacket and hand bling that spells out her name, Wilson chatted in her drywit way about stealing the role from Adele, why the gay community will find Fat Amy empowering and her tips for killing an a cappella audition (hint: Lady Gaga). This is a gay press interview, so all of these questions will be very gay. Oh, cool. It’s a pretty gay movie. You’ve got a lesbian character, and I think most of the Treblemakers, the boy band, are gay. What about that scene where there’s, like, nine dudes in a hot tub … naked? That’s totally gay. You’ve really got the belting down, Rebel. Are you ready for the Adele comparisons? You know, interestingly, when they were casting this, they were looking at Adele to play Fat Amy, because obviously she’s an amazing singer and this is a musical film. They were going to make a decision on whether they should go with a comedy person like me or a singer-singer. I was so glad they went with me. Well, you hit that one really high note. Yeah. That’s really hard. That’s higher than a lot of the Wicked notes. (Laughs) What are your tips for gay men who want to pursue a career in a cappella? You just gotta be committed, even if you’re not the best singer. Then they’ll see your confidence and they’ll be like, “That dude is pretty fly. He’s such a great dresser as well, so he would be a great asset to our group.” Also, choose your audition song wisely. I chose Lady Gaga’s “The Edge of Glory” PHOTO: Universal Studios
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
when I auditioned for this movie. And I did my own body percussion. What are your gay roots? I started out in the theater, and obviously, in Australia, we say it’s run by the gay mafia because all of the super-talented actors and directors are all gay – and so I have a lot of gay guy friends. Just in real life, generally. And I live with a super famous gay man, Matt Lucas, who is just a comedy genius. We’ve been having so much fun. He’s friends, also, with a lot of gay men who come around to the house. (Laughs) In the movie, you have really great gaydar. Because there are 10 of us girls in the group, and so odds are at least one of us has to be gay. Yeah, I just improvised that scene; it wasn’t even in the script. I picked Ester Dean’s character. Turned out I was correct. (Laughs) Is your gaydar that good in real life? Gay guys are easier to spot. It’s harder to spot lesbians for some reason, unless they’re super obvious. Like, in a flannel shirt? Yeah, real butchy. Then you’re like, “Oh yeah, definite.” (Laughs) Lipstick lesbians, it’s hard. You wouldn’t know.
Tell me about your role in the Chris Colfer movie, Struck by Lightning. I play his best friend. That character is totally different than mine in Pitch Perfect because it’s based on Chris’ real friend, who I met on the first day of filming. She’s a real interesting character. In high school, she tried to pass off classic novels as her own work. (Laughs). It was so great to work with Chris; he wrote that movie as well as starred in it, and I, of course, love his character on Glee and thought he was great. Just to work with him – he’s such a great young guy, and super talented. I think he’s got a future in directing and writing. How do you think the gay community will find Fat Amy empowering? Because even though she might be flawed, Fat Amy just exudes confidence – and she doesn’t really care what other people think of her. Some people might say she’s not the best singer, she’s not the best dancer, but she just comes out and is like, “Whatever. I’m loving it. I’m just gonna be proud and be myself.” Whenever I was on stage performing in the movie, I had to really keep that in mind the whole time, so that’s why I think she’s such a lovable character. Are you aware how much gay men love you? Aww, that’s awesome. I do live in West Hollywood and I do feel very safe on the streets. (Laughs) It’s so nice, though. I love playing all sorts of characters, but gay guys in particular seem to like my characters – and my writing. Q Chris Azzopardi is the editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBT wire service. Reach him via his website at www.chris-azzopardi.com.
november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
A&E | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 51
Howie Niswander
1963 ~ 2012 We say good bye for now to Howie Niswander, born Dec. 16, 1963 in Murray, Utah. He passed away at home in his sleep on Oct. 17, 2012. We all love Howie and will miss his loving spirit, his positive energy, and his contagious laughter whenever he is around. Howie is survived by his loving partner, Curtis B, his father, Howard Niswander Sr., and mother, Sharron Niswander. He is also survived by his siblings: sister — Shawna Kidd and children, brother — Jason Niswander, (Angela) and children, and brother — Justin Niswander (Brittney) and children. Howie worked at Intermountain Medical Center as a Critical Care Tech in Respiratory ICU and was loved by all. He touched his patients hearts as well as their families each and every shift that he worked and left a lasting impression upon them. Howie’s true passion was tile design, in which he was a master of and he pleased many clients and made many individuals lives so happy and enjoyable. We love Howie so much and can’t believe he is not with us any more our lives have been forever touched.
everywhere online: Q is GaySaltlake.com facebook.com/qsaltlake
Twitter @ QSaltLake Youtube.com/qsaltlake Flickr.com/QSaltLake LinkedIn.com/QSaltLake Google+ klout.com/#/QSaltLake Each Sudoku puzzle has a unique solution which can be reached
Q doku
Q doku
separate, but connected, Sudoku puzzles.
Level: Easy
6
2
4 6 7 8 9 8 1 5 7 4 3 4 6 5 2 7
8
9 4
5
7 2
5 9 3 1 2 5 9 6 7 2 1
1 9 2 3 7 5 3 9 2 8 1 9 2 6 9 4 3 2 3 1 6 5 6 8 4 8 7 6 5 9 4 9 2 4 6 1 5 4 9 5 7 6 9 1 8 3 9 7 1 8 3 5 2 6 2 5 6 9 7 2 8 5 1 2 6 3 4 4 1 8 7 3 3 6 4 1 9 6 3 9 1 8 1 8 5 7 7 4 5 1 9 2 3 6 5 2 4 3 1 1 4 1 4 8 7
1
Friday the 26th - Dancing w ith DJ Mat t Scary Part y starts at 9:00 Saturday the 27th - Dancing w ith DJ MAT T Costume Contest at 10:00 W ednesday Oct ober 31stCome d ow n and part y Hallow een St y le Also on Sunday the 28th SP O OKY HALLOW EEN FEAST at 4:00 pm
logically without guessing. Enter digits 1 through 9 into the
Each Sudoku puzzle has a unique solution which can be reached logicalblank guessing. spaces. Every must contain9 one digit, as must ly without Enterrow digits 1 through into of theeach blank spaces. Every row must contain and one each of each as must each each column 3x3digit, square. Qdoku is column actuallyand fiveeach 3x3 square. Qdoku is actually five separate, but connected, Sudoku puzzles.
Level: Easy
9
Hallow een W eek
3
1
people's market
6th annual holiday market of truly handmade Two Saturdays in December
December 8th & 15th 12:00 noon 8:00 p.m.
Trolley Square (south entrance)
unique products from local artisans
S U P P O R T O U R PA R T N E R S
We support the UCCC Winter Market on December 1st (1355 W. 3100 S.)
52 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | HEALTH
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
health
A sore down there? By Lynn Beltran
Genital herpes is one of the most commonly sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. Because genital herpes is not a reportable infection, I don’t feel there’s adequate statistics on how many people are infected in the U.S., other than to say a lot of people have it. People often identify genital herpes as the STD that causes outbreaks in the form of sores or lesions, and flu-like symptoms. There are two strains of the Herpes Simplex Virus, referred to as HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 is a much gentler strain in terms of how it presents itself. It is most commonly characterized by cold-sore type lesions usually in or around the mouth and is not transmitted sexually. HSV-1 is usually transmitted through casual contact such as sharing food utensils, and children are often prone to it for this reason. Both strains of the HSV are associated with the
immune system. In other words, the more immune suppressed, or simply run down you are, the more likely an outbreak. Genital herpes, or HSV-2 is transmitted sexually, and is characterized by outbreaks that are more severe and longer lasting. Like HSV-1, the symptoms come in the form of sores or lesions, at the site of the exposure and are usually accompanied by some fairly intense flu-like symptoms. Thus, with genital herpes, the sores are most likely to arise in the genital area and they are quite painful. They often last up to three weeks. More and more often, I see patients with outbreaks of HSV-2 in the mouth. As you can imagine, this is most likely being transmitted during oral sex. Performing oral sex on someone who is infected with HSV-2 can certainly transmit orally.
Fight the holiday flab The holidays are just around the corner and the sights, sounds and smells of the turkey, pies and cookies are already wafting through the air. We sat down with certified personal trainer Blake Robinson for some quick diet and exercise tips to help stave off the pounds this winter. To contact Robinson and schedule an appointment, go to evolvefitnessllc.com or email evolve3fit@gmail.com.
Holiday nutrition tips
Exercising for five minutes before a meal or 10 minutes after can help your body make better use of the calories. There is always time for exercise. Half your plate should be vegetables and the other half should be protein, then you can have seconds of the sweet and fatty foods because you’ve already filled up on your essential foods.
Time-saving exercises:
Many people who have endured repeated outbreaks of genital herpes will describe a “tingling” feeling prior to the onset of symptoms, such as lesions. People who are infected are always shedding the virus and can transmit to a sexual partner even when they are not experiencing an outbreak. People are more infectious when they are experiencing an outbreak. People can have the virus and not experience any symptoms for years or may even never experience an outbreak, yet they are still passing on the virus. The first outbreak is usually the most severe and lasts longer than usual. Testing can be a bit tricky and this is when people often get confused. There are two ways to test for HSV and timing is important. If you are in an outbreak situation, with sores or lesions, the area can be swabbed and cultured in order to identify a positive. If the sore is crusted over at all, there can easily be a false negative. The other option is simply a blood test. It’s important that you request a test that can differentiate between HSV-1 and HSV-2. If you have a sore and you take a general HSV blood test, you could simply have HSV-1 but the genital sore could be attributed to another infection. Unfortunately, the blood test has a window that can last up to two months. Thus, if you have sores and you think you were exposed and your blood test was negative, it’s recommended you repeat the test in two months in order to make sure infection was not missed. There is still no cure for genital herpes. And remember, once infected you can always pass this little friend on to your sexual partners, even in the absence of an outbreak. There is medication available, often referred to as suppressive therapy that when taken either at the onset of an outbreak or taken on a regular basis, will often reduce the severity and the length of the outbreak. These medications are most commonly known as Acyclovir or Valtrex. Recent research has shown that when people take the suppressive medications on a regular basis, the frequency of outbreak is reduced. Since HSV-2 is closely tied to the immune system and is a zoster virus, maintaining optimal health is a natural suppressive action that is known to reduce outbreaks among those who are infected. For details about genital herpes, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov/herpes.
SCENE | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 53
november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
scene Moab’s second pride festival and march brought locals and out-of-towners together in the beauty of Utah’s Dixie. Photos by Marian Eckley
Qgiggles
54 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | COMICS
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
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 this Spanish poet being honored during Gay History Month
carried fragile cocoa ________ ______ _____
cryptogram A cryptogram is a puzzle where one letter in the puzzle is substi-
Jane’s World
tuted with another. For example: ECOLVGNCYXW YCR EQYIIRZNBZN YZU PSZ! Has the solution: CRYPTOGRAMS ARE CHALLENGING AND FUN! In the above example Es are all replaced by Cs. The puzzle is solved by recognizing letter patterns in words and successively substituting letters until the solution is reached. This week’s hint: A = K
Theme: A quote by Maureen Costello of the Southern Poverty Law Center about a push to boycott Mix It Up at Lunch Day, an anti-bullying program.
Qu’hu cupizu xruy mi mvu wyul it nxjlmwp towjku lmmlpar, cxm mvwr iju qlr pizfnumu zwroufourujmlmwij. __’__ ______ ____ __ ___ ____ __ _______ ______ _______, ___ ____ ___ ___ ________ _________________.
november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
COMICS | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 55
56 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | FUN
Famous Phobes
42 Fictional detective Spade 43 Circles over Mary and Across Peter 1 Shakespearean 47 Soprano Gluck “shucks” 48 He damned homosex 6 Do-overs for Billie uality as “intrinsically Jean evil” 10 Bean and Burke 51 “Li’l” guy of Dogpatch waved theirs around 14 San Vicente of gossip 54 Stiller’s partner, once 55 Antigay crusader 15 Island of Diamond Anita Head Beach 57 Jimmy who told politi16 Black and white sandcians not to accept wich campaign contribu17 Office employee tions from gay people 18 Like an authentic 62 Take to the cleaners Broadway bio? 63 Diva’s performance 19 German capital 65 Woman without a 20 Candidate Rick who woman, e.g. opposed same-sex 66 Long, slender instrumarriage ment 22 Anti-family James of 67 Maupin setting for Focus on the Family tales 68 Bert’s roommate 24 Southwestern pla69 Take care of teaus 70 Vibrators and such 26 Hot-tempered 71 Opening for a bop27 He blamed gays for per? Hurricane Andrew 32 Voyeur’s confession? Down 33 Bone in the head 1 Rainbow shapes 34 Owed 2 Cross-dresser in a 37 Online stat exaggeraKinks song tors? 3 Sherman Hemsley religious sitcom 40 Most queer
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gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012 4 One in a breath mint pack 5 Beach Boys comeback hit 6 Legs-intertwined positions 7 What a stud leaves on a lobe? 8 Thanksgiving da., e.g. 9 Filed for palimony, e.g. 10 Part for a Singer 11 Became erect 12 Caruso or Domingo 13 Father of Chaz 21 Gone With the Wind extra 23 Long ago 25 “Fifth Beatle” Sutcliffe 27 Police at Stonewall, in slang 28 Area east of the Urals 29 Lions or Tigers or Bears 30 Kevin Bacon in Footloose 31 Roadside warning sign 34 Where the salami is hidden 35 Nabor’s branch, on TV 36 State on the Seine 38 Richard Chamberlain’s The ___ Birds 39 Maple fluid 41 Mom’s mate
44 NASA craft 45 What helps health spas live off the fat of the land? 46 Paths where your first mate cruises 48 Came to a head
49 Piece-loving org. 50 Small leather bar? 51 Monastery’s main man 52 Cash inducement 53 Material on a drag queen’s legs 56 Diplomatic trait
58 Myra Breckinridge writer Vidal 59 A girl named Frank 60 Steed stopper 61 Parker of South Park 64 Carnaval locale PUZZLE SOLUTIONS PAGE 58
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november, 2012 | issue 212
service guide HYPNOSIS
Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 57
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58 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | HOROSCOPE
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
q scopes
CANCER June 21–July 22 Brilliant though your insights may be, you should probably consider your time, place and company before sharing them. Timing is everything. Even if you want to be completely outré, you’re best waiting for just the right moment.
Lead by example, Capricorn By Jack Fertig
TAURUS April 20–May 20 You already have everything you need, so reach out with what you can offer. Domestic arguments may be hard to avoid. Keep your ears open to what’s not being said and be careful not to say too much.
LIBRA September 23– October 22 An old Swedish proverb says that buying something you don’t need is stealing from yourself. Don’t let others goad you into “keeping up.” You know deep within yourself what matters and what you really need.
GEMINI May 21–June 20 Snafus at work could be signals that you are overreaching. Feedback from colleagues may not be reliable, but be open at least to constructive criticism, even if it doesn’t feel supportive. Take a walk, or at least count to 10, before responding to anything.
3 5 4 7 8 1 6 9 2
8 2 1 6 9 3 7 4 5
9 7 6 4 2 5 8 3 1
4 6 2 9 1 7 5 8 3
5 1 9 8 3 2 4 6 7
7 8 3 5 4 6 1 2 9
4 3 9 1 8 7 5 6 2
6 8 7 9 5 2 3 4 1
5 2 1 6 3 4 9 7 8
1 5 4 6 7 3 8 9 2 7 4 3 6 1 5 4 2 8 7 9 3
8 2 3 9 4 1 7 6 5 8 1 9 4 2 3 1 9 7 8 5 6
5 7 1 2 6 3 9 8 4 9 1 7 5 3 2 6 8 4
9 6 4 8 7 5 1 3 2
3 8 2 9 1 4 5 6 7
5 3 8 4 6 7 9 2 1
4 6 2 8 1 9 5 3 7
7 5 6 3 8 1 2 4 9 2 8 1 7 9 4 3 5 6
2 3 8 7 4 9 6 1 5 7 9 5 3 2 6 4 1 8
1 4 9 6 5 2 3 7 8 3 4 6 1 5 8 2 7 9
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puzzle solutions
SCORPIO October 23–November 21 We’re all going through hard times. You could feel sorry for yourself or focus on solutions that will help you lead others through the challenges. 8 6 2 7 9 4 5 1 3
8 01 - 8 2 4 - 07 7 4
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4 1 7 8 5 3 2 6 9
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VIRGO August 23–Sep. 22 For now there is no such thing as a “sweet, innocent” flirtation. The slightest cock of your eyebrow could lead quickly to a lot more than you’d intended. Be careful also not to over-interpret incoming signals.
6 4 8 5 7 9 1 3 2
Hypnosis
ARIES March 20–April 19 Your strong suit is leadership. Stay focused on the big picture. Yes, the details count, but arguing over little things can become a huge distraction. Let the detailed people handle that and stay out of their way.
3 7 5 2 8 1 4 9 6
Consulting
LEO July 23–August 22 Especially at home, but elsewhere too, resist getting caught up in arguments. It’s usually just about ego and you have nothing to prove. Listen and learn. Your silence doesn’t make them right. It makes you wise.
9 2 1 4 3 6 8 5 7
Ceremonies
As the Sun enters Scorpio, he trines Neptune arousing erotic and other reveries, but also, perhaps, profound insights. Try to stick to the latter. Then he conjoins Saturn, focusing attention on crucial challenges. The transition feels pessimistic, but that’s reality where solutions lie.
It will be a while, so keep your eye on the long haul. SAGITTARIUS November 22– December 20 Disputes with your partner should be easily resolved if you keep an open mind. Single? You could have a mad fling that feels like more, but it’s probably not. In the end you’ll be glad for what it was. Enjoy. CAPRICORN December 21– January 19 Clear foresight brings a strong sense of what needs to be done. It’s a lot, but don’t expect people to see the program as clearly as you do. Your sense of urgency could be alienating. Lead by example. They’ll catch on when they’re ready. AQUARIUS January 20–February 18 You’re feeling at the top of your game. Half of that is over-confidence. Stay sharp. When you’re at the top there’s nowhere to go but down, and you’re not quite at your apex yet. PISCES Feb 19–Mar 19 New adventures beckon, but they will take hard work and creativity. Creativity pushes you ahead. Whimsy just drags you into la-la land. Be clear on the difference. If your family is behind your work, heed their criticism. If not, don’t let them distract you. Jack Fertig is QScopes@qsaltlake.com.
advice | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 59
november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
ask mr. manners
Introductions and good ol’ fashioned life advice By Rock Magen
The words
of a high school theater teacher echo through my head daily, “You make two things in the theater, entrances and exits!” This phrase has been extremely influential on me in how I make a first impression, have a first date or how I just try to represent myself well in any situation. Allow me a chance to make my introduction. In society we respond best to labels that are quick and short. Simply put, I am the gentleman among the Mormons, or to clarify the Southern gentleman. Having been raised in the south, I have been privy to country club gatherings, cotillion/etiquette classes and traditions that some deem dead while others simply nod in disagreement and correct them with the word forgotten. Regardless, my experiences are now yours for the taking. I hope to be able to impart upon you bits of wisdom and stories that will help you find the gentleman within yourself. My credentials rest upon a plaque mounted to my wall. It reads: “The South; where tea is sweet and accents are sweeter; summer starts in April; front porches are wide and words are long; macaroni and cheese is a vegetable; pecan pie is a staple; Y’all is the only proper pronoun; chicken is fried and biscuits come with gravy; everything is darling and someone is always getting their heart blessed.” By no means am
I trying to turn Salt Lake City into the set for Steel Magnolias, but you can’t go wrong learning a bit from tradition. Never fear, my life has also taken me to New York City (the center of the universe) where I lived and worked and also allowed for me to travel the world. For those who feared old wives tales you can rest assured knowing those stories are backed with real life experience. Back to the topic of introductions, they should be like any lady’s skirt: long enough to cover the topic, but short enough to keep it interesting. You have received mine in just a few short sentences, but if we were in person I would add a firm handshake (or hug depending on the company), flash a smile and tip my hat – yes, gentlemen wear hats, but more on that later. The overall lesson here is that you have to be true to yourself. Find who you are, remove expectation, replace it with confidence and then it will all fall into place. If you remember from my opening, there are two things that you make, and so I leave you with an exit. I will quote RuPaul, Tim Gunn, and my mother, “Boy, you better make it work!” Removing all of their sass (and I easily bet my mother tops the celebrities combined) this is simply just an admonishment to be better — and from one gentleman to another, we can always be better. Lets get to it! Q
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A stall in a mall — M4M I was at the Fashion Place Mall in Dillard’s trying to choose some new underwear. When I looked up and saw you standing at the end of the aisle. You were in your mid 40s with the most amazing blue eyes that made my knees weak and caused a stir in my groin. You’re in great shape and were sporting some scruff from the day before. You were wearing cargo shorts, showing off your incredible legs that are dusted with the right amount of hair, a T-shirt, and flip flops. I managed to squeak a hello and in your strong voice you said, “Hey guy, red is a better color for you.” The sound of your voice and your smile was captivating. You moved around me and were looking at some belts. I selected a red pair of 2(X)ist briefs and headed over to pay for them. I glanced around a saw you standing nearby. We made eye
Do you have a question for Mr. Manners? Email manners@qsaltlake.com.
contact again and I watched you run your hand across your chest as you shot me another sexy smile. I was so excited I lost track of the salesman who was waiting for payment. I handed him my credit card and he nodded at me with a smile. I think he saw the entire exchange. I went to the men’s room hoping to gather my thoughts. I took the large stall and leaned against the wall and exhaled a sigh of sexual frustration. Then I heard the door to the men’s room open and a hand appeared on the top edge of the door. I heard your voice once again, “Did you get the red ones? Open the door.” Shaking with excitement I opened the stall door and you entered, closing and locking the door behind you. Wasting no time you placed one hand behind my neck pulling my mouth to yours and you placed your other hand between my legs. You kissed me for what seemed like forever while massaging my groin. You released my neck, raised your chin and said, “Maybe we can do this again.” Then you left.
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60 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | SEX
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
the dating diet
Fifty shades of cray cray By Anthony Paull
I can’t
say why I’m reading Fifty Shades of Grey. A coworker insisted I’d love it; so I finally agree, hearing it might lead to sexual cravings and ultimately, pregnancy. I’ve been secretly trying to have a kid for years so I figure the book might steer me in the right direction. But what I discover is I need a steely vagina and a man willing to beat me into submission. I don’t have either, but I continue on, hoping to be swept up in a land of forbidden sex. My coworker swears it’s like Pretty Woman with bondage. Twilight with kink. The thought leaves me beaming. “Prostitutes AND vampires?” I ask. “Basically,” she replies. That’s enough to pique my interest. And while reading, the vampire reference rings true, with Christian Grey’s long fingers and eloquent vampire-slang. But prostitutes? The heroine Anastasia Steele is a college senior and virgin (I’m calling bullshit) who signs up to be Grey’s submissive. The contract includes vaginal fisting. I bring up the correlation and my coworker laughs. “I know. It’s a stretch. But she doesn’t actually agree to that part of the contract.”
“Good. Because then we’d have an episode of Grey’s Anatomy on our hands.” I envision Anastasia being wheeled into the emergency room, murmuring like she often does in the book. He said it wouldn’t hurt! Oh Mr. Grey, spare a tourniquet to quiet the bleeding? Mr. Grey, you make me gush! Literally. I’m gushing. Blood. “That’s not funny,” my friend Allie says when I make similar comments about the book at a coffee shop. “I just finished the trilogy. Believe me. It gets better. The story improved my sex life.” “How?” She speaks matter-of-factly. “I drafted a contract of my own.” “Tell me your kidding.” She tightens her lips. “Look. After five years of marriage, I need one. There are only so many times I can take my husband convulsing on me in bed like he’s having a seizure. I need more than soggy bread sex.” Noting my bemused state, she stands, grabbing my hand. “Ugh. Follow me. We can’t talk about this here.” Outside I stop dead in my tracks. “Don’t tell me you want your husband to fist you.” She gasps. “Nasty. No! I want him to fuck me. Not kill me.”
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I walk again, remaining cautious. “So. Soggy bread sex?” “It’s like he’s afraid of my vagina.” “I’m not sure my readers wanna know that.” “I mean, my vagina is pretty fierce so I kind of understand.” “Can we get back to the contract?” I ask. “Oh. Sure. It’s simple,” she nonchalantly says. “I had him sign a list, agreeing to the things I need ... sexually ... each week.” She smiles proudly. “Brilliant right?” I go quiet. A contract to have sex? I thought having a ‘sure thing’ was the only good thing about getting married. It seems crazy. But then again, how different is it from signing a marriage contract? The specifics of ‘I do’ are vague. Perhaps this is just adding more fine print, more attention to detail. I wonder if more couples would benefit from it. Ally recites her list of expectations. “He has to have sex with me on a surface other than a bed at least once per week. My ankles need to be over my head. And it has to hurt.” “Hurt?” I question. “That’s vague. How do you measure that?” “It’s explained in the contract. I need to
SEX | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | 61
november, 2012 | issue 212 | gaysaltlake.com
scream ‘God’ or ‘Marco Polo’ at least once.” “Marco Polo.” “That’s code for momma’s wet. Smack me harder.” I shudder, covering my ears. “Anything else?” “Just the basics,” she says, eyeing new books in a store window. “He needs to perform oral at least twice a week. Once a month we must have semipublic sex. Not at the beach. Too generic. And he needs to eat when I cook dinner for him.” “Dinner? What does that have to do with sex?” “Nothing. But if I cook this big meal and he puts his nose up at it, it pisses me off and I don’t want sex. It ruins the
mood.” I chuckle, as she contemplates purchasing another book that has an erotic tinge to it. Three replicas of Grey are on display in the window, each on the bestseller list. “It’s sad. With all this sex I just don’t have time to read romances anymore.” “Is it bad that I do?” She considers it. “Not if you make time to act on it.” Taking my hand she leads me along the street. “Everyone has a real list of needs that should be written down.” She tightens her grip. “That’s why Grey is so popular. We need a piece of fiction to remind us.”
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62 | Q SALT LAKE MAGAZINE | final word
gaysaltlake.com | issue 212 | november, 2012
the perils of petunia pap smear
A tale of push comes to shove By Petunia Pap Smear
The road
to Third Friday Bingo is fraught with danger and excitement. Let me begin this story with a simple statement of fact. No matter how much people may protest, SIZE DOES MATTER! I am a true size queen. I can’t get proper beauty sleep unless I’m in a king-size bed. I feel like I will wither away into nothingness unless they super size my combo meal at Burger Queen. I’m totally underdressed unless my beehive hair is at least three feet tall. And most importantly, I want ... no, I need a big car! A couple of years ago when it became necessary to retire Queertanic, my beloved 1975 Buick Electra land yacht, I recalled the immortal words of Miss Vida Boheme: “It all comes down to the classic choice of style versus substance.” Like any respectable queen, I went with style and chose a luxurious 15-year-old Cadillac Sedan Deville in mint condition, which I christened Queertanic II. To my immense dismay, the Department of Transportation has ruled that when hauling both my substantial bootius maximus and my makeup kit, Queertanic II qualifies as an oversize load, falls under the regulations for interstate trucking and must be weighed like a cattle truck at point-of-entry weigh stations. Oh, the indignity! One recent hot summer afternoon, I was happily driving Queertanic, loaded to
the hilt with makeup, hair and all the rest of my glamour accoutrements, to Third Friday Bingo. Queertanic’s very competent air conditioner helped make me oblivious to the sun, relentlessly beating down on the pavement until the temperature rising from the asphalt rivaled the heat of my passion for a Speedo-clad Taylor Lautner. As I sped through Bountiful, I noticed the engine temperature gauge was rising into the red zone. Not wanting to be late for bingo, I decided to power onward. Accordingly, despite the furnace-like conditions outside, I turned off the air conditioning, opened the windows and turned the heater on high to help remove some heat stress from the engine. Immediately I began to perspire. Normally, a queen does not sweat, she glistens, but in this particular instance I began to sweat buckets. Mascara began running into my eyes, blurring my vision and there began a small rivulet of glitter flowing down my cleavage. After I exited the freeway, I was stopped at a red light and the engine temperature approached the melting point of steel, rising higher than my body mass index. Of course it was during afternoon rush hour and heavy traffic was obstructing any possible lane change or emergency maneuver that I needed to make. I was stuck in the left-hand turn lane. When the light turned green, I apprehensively pressed on the gas and proceeded into the intersection. To my abject horror, the engine sputtered and died, leaving the car motionless, in the middle of the intersection, blocking traffic in all four directions. And to make a dreadful situation even more horrific, the car was also straddling the Trax rails. This month’s trunk Impatient drivers immediately is brought to you began honking their horns, adding by Rufskin. From to my anxiety. I tried to start the jockstraps to singlets engine but to no avail. Frantically, and everything in I looked around for a knight in between, Rufskin shows shining armor who might come to off some of the best aid a damsel in distress, but there assets. seemed to be an acute shortage
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of knights. Hell, at that point I’d even had welcomed a butch dyke on a bike, even though they usually scare the shit out of me. Sweat was streaming into my eyes. In the distance, I could see Trax trains approaching from both directions. In full terror mode, I threw the transmission into neutral, opened the door, got out and began to push the four thousand pound behemoth. Adrenalin must be powerful stuff because after a couple of extreme grunt and fart producing strains, I was able to attain some movement of the two-ton behemoth. Just as hopes of my being able to salvage the situation began to rise, my shoe came off and I was left stocking-footed on the blazing hot pavement. Shoe be damned, I continued to shove the car forward, hoping against hope that the booty burps had been dry ones. My mama always said to wear clean underwear in case you’re in an accident. A lot of good that’s going to do if the rectal honks were wet. With trains approaching, cars honking, and glitter flowing freely, the car continued it’s agonizingly slow progress off the tracks. I reached in with my right hand to steer while feeling grateful that the gripping power of my right hand was so much stronger because of all the five against one personal exercise it had received over the years. I was slowly able to maneuver the car out of traffic. Immensely relieved, I returned to the street to retrieve my shoe, which, to add insult to injury, had been run over. The heartless bastards! I let the engine cool a few minutes, was able to start the car and made it to bingo. Though a little bit bedraggled, I was even on time and astonishingly with poop-less panties! Like always these events leave us with several eternal questions: 1. Since the bigger the hair, the closer to God, should I be in line to become the next prophet after Tommy Monson? 2. Do emergency-room personnel really examine patient’s underwear for skid marks? 3. Should the DOT force me to display hazmat placards on Queertanic when I’m transporting my makeup kit? 4. Could beehive hair cushion the impact of a speeding train? 5. When people say get a hold of yourself, do they mean “personal exercise”? These and other important questions to be answered in future chapters of The Perils of Petunia Pap Smear. Q
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