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UTAH’S GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND ALLY
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September 2013 Issue 222 ALSO: LAGOON DAY PICS OLYMPIA DUKAKIS COURTNEY LOVE
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ALLIES sean penn to address equality utah allies dinner
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4 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | STAFF
gaysaltlake.com | issue 222 | september, 2013
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Ready… Set… StRut! Last year’s strut was so much fun… let’s do it again!
Saturday, September 21, 2013 Liberty Park, 600 E 900 S, Salt Lake City Registration: 9 a.m.
Join Best Friends Animal Society for the famous Salt Lake City dog walk that saves the lives of homeless pets. After the strut, we’ll have a festival in your honor — featuring food, games, entertainment and more.
Strut your Mutt and help Save them all
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Visit strutyourmutt.org Presented by Best Friends Animal Society. Special thanks to our sponsors:
6 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | NEWS
CALIF. PROP 8 IS DEAD ... AGAIN The Calif. Supreme Court ended the last remaining legal challenge to same-sex marriage by rejecting, in closed session, arguments by Prop. 8’s sponsors, ProtectMarriage, that only an appellate court could overturn a statewide law. In its most recent challenge, ProtectMarriage argued that a single judge lacked the authority to overturn a state constitutional amendment. The group also said Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker’s injunction only applied to two counties and that state officials overstepped their authority by ordering county clerks throughout California to issue same-sex marriage licenses. State officials called the motion a veiled attempt to persuade a state court to interfere with a federal judge’s order in violation of the U.S. Constitution.
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gaysaltlake.com | issue 222 | september, 2013
The top things you should know happened last month (Full stories at gaysaltlake.com.) OBAMA HAS ‘NO PATIENCE’ FOR ANTI-GAY RUSSIAN LAWS In an interview with Jay Leno on NBC’s The Tonight Show, President Obama condemned a new Russian law that criminalizes even the most modest gestures of support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The president stated that such laws violate “the basic morality that I think should transcend every country, and I have no patience for countries that try to treat gays, or lesbians, or transgender persons in ways that intimidate them or are harmful to them.”
ANDY COHEN WON’T HOST MISS UNIVERSE IN RUSSIA
STEPHEN FRY TO IOC: MOVE RUSSIAN OLYMPICS TO UTAH In an open letter to the UK prime minister and the International Olympic Committee, English actor Stephen Fry called for moving the 2014 Winter Olympics away from Russia because of the country’s treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. “An absolute ban on the Russian Winter Olympics of 2014 on Sochi is simply essential. Stage them elsewhere in Utah, Lillyhammer, anywhere you like. At all costs Putin cannot be seen to have the approval of the civilised world,” he writes. A new law banning “homosexual propaganda” in Russia is vague, but its intent is clear: It is now “illegal to spread information about non-traditional sexual behavior” to minors (under 18), and there are hefty fines for those who disobey. Foreigners are also subject to fines and can be deported. The atmosphere of the law has caused a significant rise in crimes against gay people, according to activists.
Watch What Happens Live star Andy Cohen announced that he would not co-host this year’s Miss Universe pageant, because he’s “concerned for his safety” since it is happening in Russia, where new “propaganda” laws threaten arrest for the mere mention of homosexuality. “The law is that anyone under suspicion of homosexuality can be arrested,” Cohen told his Miss Universe pageant co-host, E! News journalist Guiliana Rancic, adding that he “didn’t feel right as a gay man stepping foot into Russia.” A petition to move Miss Universe from Russia has gathered over 25,000 signatures.
GAY MARRIAGE LICENSES ISSUED IN MINNESOTA, RHODE ISLAND The states of Minnesota and Rhode Island began issuing marriage certificates to same-sex couples today. These states bring the total number of states that recognize the right of all people to love equally and be treated equally under the law to thirteen, including the District of Columbia. Lambda Legal estimates that over 30% of the population of the United States lives in a state that either allows marriage equality or honors out-of-state marriages.
LOUISIANA SHERIFF STILL ARRESTING MEN FOR SODOMY An East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office task force has arrested at least 12 men since 2011 under a sodomy law invalidated in 2003 by the U.S. Supreme Court. The most recent of which was a July 18 arrest of a man who merely discussed or agreed to have sex with a male undercover agent. Public sex and solicitation of “unnatural carnal copulation” for money are illegal in Louisiana, however the police sting is not targeting prostitution. The men arrested had agreed to have sex away from the park at a private residence, District Attorney Hillar Moore III said. “The Sheriff’s Office’s intentions are all good,” Moore said. “But from what I’ve seen of these cases, legally, we found no criminal violation.”
GERMAN LAW CHANGE TO ‘RECOGNIZE THIRD SEX’ Germans will soon be legally divided into three genders — those born as hermaphrodites have the right to not identify as male or female. It has been described as a revolution, effectively creating legal recognition of a third sex. It would give legal recognition to the fact that intersexual people were not clearly either male or female.
KE$HA SENDS BACKUP DANCERS TO PERFORM ANTI-WESTBORO DANCE AT WESTBORO PICKET Westboro Baptist Church picketed Ke$ha’s Lincoln, Nebraska tour stop with signs that the singer is a “filthy whore.” Ke$ha got word of her unlikely fans and sent three of her super-gay backup dancers to perform the church’s version of her song, “We R Who We R” ... in tank tops.
NJ GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE TO SIGN BAN ON ‘EX-GAY’ THERAPIES New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill barring licensed therapists from attempting to turn gay people straight. New Jersey became the second state, along with California, to ban so-called conversion therapy. The bill passed both the New Jersey Legislature in June with bipartisan support. Openly gay Assemblyman Tim Eustace, who sponsored the bill called the therapy “an insidious form of child abuse.”
september, 2013 | issue 222 | gaysaltlake.com
NEWS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 7
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8 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | NEWS
gaysaltlake.com | issue 222 | september, 2013
Utah’s Response to Amendment 3 challenge: We have a ‘sovereign right’ to define marriage BY BOB HENLILNE
The State of Utah filed its formal response Aug. 12 to the case of Kitchen v. Herbert, which seeks to overturn Utah’s Amendment 3. The amendment, passed in 2004, not only bans same-sex marriage in Utah, it also prevents any other type of relationship that would have the same effect. Marriage consists only of the legal union between a man and a woman. No other domestic union, however denominated, may be recognized as a marriage or given the same or substantially equivalent legal effect. Buried among numerous paragraphs of “State Defendants are without sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations contained in....” lies the crux of the state’s argument, that Utah has the sovereign right to define and regulate marriage. Attorneys for the state further argue that “sexual orientation does not implicate a protected or suspect class to which heightened scrutiny applies.” The case is being brought forth by three same-sex couples in Utah, Derek Kitchen and Moudi Sbeity, Karen Archer and Kate Call, and Laurie Wood and Kody Partridge. The suit names Governor Gary Herbert, Attorney General John Swallow, and Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen, and argues that the Supreme Court of the United States has declared that “marriage
is one of the ‘basic rights of man,’ fundamental to our very existence and survival.” It goes on to claim that Utah’s Amendment 3, which restricts marriage to the union of one man and one woman, creates an inherent discrimination which denies gays and lesbians “the basic liberties and equal protections under the law that are guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.” The state’s attorneys, while reserving the right to add additional defenses, hinge their arguments upon the constitutional right of the states to regulate marriage. They argue that same-sex marriage has never been recognized in Utah and that Utah’s public policy precludes the recognition of such marriages even if recognized by other jurisdictions. They further claim, without any clarification or supporting argument, that “Utah’s recognition of marriage as only the legal union between a man and a woman, is rationally related to a legitimate government interest.” Attorneys for Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen, Darcy Goddard and Ralph Chamness, filed their response on the same day. Their argument, however, differs greatly from the argument of the state. “The County Clerk has a ministerial duty to abide by the laws of the State of Utah, and is required by statute to issue
sanctity of marriage POLICE: OREM MAN KILLED WIFE FOR INSURANCE MONEY Conrad Truman was charged on July 19, 2013 with killing his wife in 2012. Truman claimed that someone shot her through the window of his Orem home, but autopsy reports indicate that Heidy Truman was shot in the head with her husband’s pistol, and that it had been pressed hard against the side of her head. Charging documents claim that over $800,000 in life insurance money was the
motivation for the murder.
MOAB LOVE TRIANGLE AND ASSAULT Moab, Utah sherrif’s deputy TJ Brewer, has been charged after allegedly beating his father and hitting his wife in a rage after allegedly catching them having sex in his son’s bedroom on July 11. The wife, Logan Brewer, told police that TJ Brewer assaulted his father and then retrieved his handgun, which he had just loaded, backhanded her and then pointed the
marriage licenses in accordance with existing Utah state law. The County Clerk thus has no discretion regarding the issuance of marriage licenses.” The suit is being funded by Restore Our Humanity, a local non-profit which has been doing extensive fundraising and public relations work regarding the suit, and was filed just before the historic United States Supreme Court debates regarding Proposition 8, California’s same-sex marriage ban, and the Defense of
handgun at her face.
FLORIDA MAN KILLS WIFE, POSTS PICTURE ON FACEBOOK Derek Medina of South Miami turned himself in to police on August 4th after apparently killing his wife, then confessing to the crime and posting a grisly photo of her dead body on Facebook. Medina’s page read: “Im going to prison or death sentence for killing my wife love you guys, miss you guys take care Facebook people you will see me in the news.” He is currently being held without bond.
Utah Attorney General John Swallow Marriage Act. The Supreme Court, in June of this year, struck down both measures as unconstitutional. There are currently cases pending in federal appeals court regarding same-sex marriage bans in Nevada and Hawaii. Both bans were upheld by their respective federal district courts and are awaiting argument in the Ninth Circuit Court, which is also the court that initially struck down Proposition 8. Q
NEWS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 9
september, 2013 | issue 222 | gaysaltlake.com
Utah Constititutional amendment proposed to shield churches from gay marriage Citing a pending conflict between “what’s fair” and “what might be right,” a Utah businessman is proposing an amendment to the Utah State Constitution that would prohibit religious organizations from being forced to “solemnize, officiate in, or recognize any particular marriage or religious rite of marriage in violation of its beliefs.” Utah’s Amendment 3 currently defines marriage as a union solely between a man and a woman and precludes any other domestic union from having the same or “substantially equivalent legal effect.” Jonathan Johnson, executive vice chair of Overstock.com, has created and registered a political action committee, First Freedom PAC, and claims to have raised funds in the low six figure range, although no disclosures have been filed as of yet. Johnson sees a day in the near future where religious freedom and equal protection butt heads. “Equal protection seems to be unbounded and, speaking politically, it feels like what’s fair always wins over what might be right. But at the end of the day, when equal protection and First Amendment free exercise of
religion rights butt up against each other, then churches should be free to practice what they preach and believe,” he said. Johnson hopes to have the measure on the 2014 general election ballot in Utah, which would require a 2/3 approval in each chamber of the legislature. Given the predominant religious and political leanings of the Utah Legislature, it is unlikely that the measure will face any serious opposition. Utah’s only openly-gay legislator, Sen. James Dabakis of Salt Lake, who is also the chairman of the Utah Democratic Party, seems supportive of the measure. “I don’t see anything wrong with that,” he stated. “No sane person I know of wants to coerce or force any religion to perform any ceremony that they are not comfortable with.” Other prominent Democrats agree. Former State Representative Brian Doughty added, “I am not sure it requires a constitutional amendment but I actually agree with the concept. As much as I disagree with organized religion I don’t feel they should be made to perform or recognize any marriage they don’t agree with.”
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Becky Moss, Vice Chair of the Utah Stonewall Democrats, disagrees however. She feels that the issue of religious protection is covered in the Bill of Rights and doesn’t need further clarification. According to Moss, “a pure act of love, a vow of marriage, does not rely on the bias of others, including those that dress their bigotry up in a cloak of perceived religious belief.” If the measure passes the legislature, it will then be placed on the ballot for the general election. A simple majority is all that is required to add the amendment to the state constitution. According to Johnson the office running the campaign has received calls from five other states. He declined to identify them, however, as it is “too early in the process.” Utah’s Amendment 3 is currently being challenged in federal court. In Kitchen v Herbert, three same-sex couples have argued that Utah’s Amendment 3 is discriminatory and violates the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. There are currently efforts underway in several other states to remove laws that prohibit same-sex marriage, including Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Michigan, Illinois, New Jersey, and North Carolina. Q
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10 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | NEWS
gaysaltlake.com | issue 222 | september, 2013
Utah gay, bisexual men warned of local bacterial meningitis death The Salt Lake County Health Department has issued a public health alert to gay and bisexual men in Salt Lake after the rapid death of a gay man who was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. Los Angeles and New York City have recently seen an increase in the number of bacterial meningitis cases being diagnosed within the gay community. A member of the gay community in Salt Lake County was recently diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. The organism that causes bacterial meningitis is spread via throat or respiratory secretions; this commonly occurs during kissing, sharing utensils, and sharing non-injection drugs. Anyone with a pre-existing condition such as HIV or other autoimmune disease has an increased risk of infection. Bacterial meningitis can be very serious if medical intervention is not provided early. If you have been exposed to someone with bacterial meningitis, the Salt Lake County Health Department recommends that you notify a medical provider. Symptoms of bacterial meningitis include: • Nausea • Vomiting • Sensitivity to light
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• Altered Mental Status • Fever • Headache • Rash, usually associated with flu like symptoms For more information, contact the Salt Lake County Health Department at 385468-4222. Q
Bacterial meningitis cases in MSM BY LYNN BELTRAN
Since 2010, New York City has seen a significant increase in cases of bacterial meningitis among men who have sex with men (MSM). More recently, Los Angeles identified a cluster of cases in MSM, including an openly gay attorney from West Hollywood who died from his infection. Earlier this month, a gay man in Salt Lake County was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. Getting the facts out to the gay community about these recent outbreaks is not intended to cause panic. What is important right now is that we educate the very community that seems to be susceptible regarding prevention, and that we find ways to provide everyone with accurate information. Bacterial meningitis is a condition that is caused by an infection in the meninges in the brain. It is unique in the sense that the bacteria manage to go from a localized infection to an invasive infection. This means that the bacteria have penetrated the protective fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord causing a meningitis or that the bacteria have gotten into the blood causing a blood infection referred to as sepsis. The organisms that most commonly cause bacterial meningitis or sepsis seem to be streptococcus pneumonia and neisseria meningitidis. The recent cases in the gay community have been caused by neisseria meningitidis. In general, cases of bacterial meningitis are rare and very few cases are linked together. The issue with this type of “invasive” illness is that it can result in permanent brain damage, loss of limbs or death. The CDC estimates that
between 2003-2007, only 4,100 cases of bacterial meningitis occurred each year in the United States, however 500 of those cases each year were fatal. Bacterial meningitis is not an STD. It is spread via throat or oral secretions. The most common mode of transmission includes such activities as kissing, sharing utensils, sharing cigarettes and sharing non-injection drugs. Anyone with chronic conditions such as HIV, diabetes or other autoimmune diseases has a higher risk of becoming infected. Illness often advances very suddenly making early diagnosis and intervention with antibiotics important. Common symptoms include headache, fever, sensitivity to light, nausea and/or vomiting and rash. The good news is that there is a vaccine available for adults and children 11 years of age and older. Given this recent increase in cases in the MSM community, the Salt Lake County Health Department is recommending vaccine for gay and bisexual men. The vaccine is often referred to as Menactra or Meningococcal vaccine. Once again, the message here is not to panic or that bacterial meningitis is now a gay disease. We have yet to fully understand why the recent increases have been seen in MSM; we can only look at connections and raise awareness. The public health message is simply to be aware. If you are experiencing an unusual illness that includes the symptoms listed above, seek medical attention. Public health also encourages the MSM community to get vaccinated. Most health insurance carriers offer the vaccine. If you are interested in getting vaccinated, ask your doctor. If you are uninsured, the Salt Lake County Health Department offers the vaccine or more information, call 385-468-4222. Q
NEWS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 11
september, 2013 | issue 222 | gaysaltlake.com
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Utah publisher cancels novel because author is gay BY NICHOLAS RUPP
Sweetwater Books, a division of Cedar Fort Publishing & Media, has cancelled the publication of Woven, a highly anticipated young adult fantasy novel, because the biographical blurb of one of Woven’s authors referenced his “partner.” Authors David Powers King and Michael Jensen signed a publishing agreement with Sweetwater in January. They submitted their manuscript materials — including their bios — shortly after and worked with Cedar Fort for several months on editing and designing the book. The final manuscript was slated to go to press August 1. “Cedar Fort expected Woven to be very successful,” says King. “They told me they thought it would be their best seller this year, and that the preliminary reviews were very, very good.” On August 2, Jensen received a proof of Woven’s final cover art and noticed that his submitted bio (which included the sentence “He lives in Salt Lake City with his boyfriend and their four dogs.”) was incomplete. He emailed Cedar Fort’s acquisitions editor, Angie Workman, who explained that the company would not allow him to state he lived with a man because they were concerned about ruining their relationship with the LDS Church-affiliated Deseret Book. Jensen offered to change the word “boyfriend” to the non-gender-specific “partner,” as in his original bio, but Workman refused, and instead insisted that the reference to Mr. Jensen’s significant other be removed entirely. “David’s bio said that he lived in Utah County with his wife and their kids,” Jensen said. “I wanted a comparable,
accurate sentence in my bio.” Jensen called Cedar Fort’s owner, Lyle Mortimer, and asked why he was being treated differently from Mr. King. “The conversation really devolved quickly,” he said. “Lyle started yelling about my ‘agenda’ and how I was trying to destroy families. He even started saying inappropriate things about how God had given me a penis for a reason. It was very uncomfortable. Then he threatened to publish Woven without our names attached or without our bios at all — rather than print that one sentence. He told me that if he decided not to publish because of this, I’d have to buy back the rights to our book and reimburse him for his work so far, and that would cost me thousands of dollars.” The authors insisted that Cedar Fort treat them equally, and asked that both receive honest, accurate biographical blurbs. “That one sentence shouldn’t even have been an issue,” said King. “All we wanted was for them to print Michael’s biographical information like mine.” Two weeks after King and Jensen insisted on equality, Cedar Fort elected to cancel the publication of Woven completely and return all rights to the two authors. “They knew I was gay when they signed me,” said Mr. Jensen. “If they didn’t want to print the bio of an author who happened to be gay, then they shouldn’t have signed an author who happened to be gay.” “While we are disappointed that Woven won’t be published when we originally planned,” says Mr. King, “ultimately we’d much rather be signed by a publisher who fully supports us—both of us.” Q
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gaysaltlake.com | issue 222 | september, 2013
Congratulations, you’re married! Or not... BY BOB HENLINE
2013 has certainly been a tumultuous year in the struggle for marriage equality. In addition to more states passing marriage equality laws, the Supreme Court’s recent rulings on Proposition 8 and the so-called Defense of Marriage Act have dramatically changed the landscape of same-sex relationships and their legal definitions. As marriage equality becomes a reality in an ever-increasing number of jurisdictions, a large number of Utah couples have begun to travel to those locations to enter into legal marriages. Unfortunately, however, upon returning home to Utah, these marriages don’t have any legal effect. The Human Rights Campaign has determined there are 1,138 legal benefits attached to the “married” status. These are automatic protections that don’t exist in states where a same-sex marriage is not recognized by law. There are four main areas in which LGBT couples in states like Utah, that doesn’t recognize same-sex marriage, should investigate and create protections for themselves and their spouses and families: insurance, financial planning, legal and estate planning, and memorial/funeral planning. In Utah, married couples and families are automatically included on property/ casualty insurance. If a home is covered on a policy and the homeowner marries, the spouse is automatically insured on the property as well. However, that automatic protection doesn’t apply to a same-sex spouse, explains Jon Jepsen of SentryWest Insurance. Same-sex couples need to alter their insurance policies to list their spouses as “additionally insured.” Some carriers allow this, some do not. This one inclusion, however, makes a huge difference in how property is protected in the event of problems. For financial and legal/estate planning, it is best to seek the counsel of an experienced attorney who specializes in this area for LGBT people. Danielle Hawkes, a Salt Lake City attorney, listed several documents that same-sex couples should prepare. This list includes a will, an advanced medical directive, and power of attorney for each spouse. These documents, if properly prepared and executed, create for same-sex couples
legal protections similar to those automatically granted to married couples. Both Hawkes and Jepsen stress the importance of open and frequent consultation with a professional. Hawkes says the marriage landscape is changing. With each new court ruling and each new law passed in any jurisdiction, the definitions of samesex marriage, civil union, or recognized relationship change. It’s daunting how frequently and dramatically the nature of a couple’s relationship can change based upon these new rulings and laws. Having the advice of an experienced professional who deals specifically with these issues in this community is vital to ensuring that relationships, spouses and families are protected. The final issue is with regard to memorial and funeral planning. Many couples
assume that because they’re married, their spouse has the authority to make their final arrangements. While this is true, Utah doesn’t recognize same-sex marriage, so when one part of a couple passes on, according to Utah, they are unmarried. In such a case, decision-making authority is passed first to living children, then to parents, and finally to other family members. Same-sex couples need to formally designate the person responsible for their final arrangements. This designation takes legal precedence and ensures the wishes of the person are honored. A power of attorney is not sufficient in this case, as they legally expire upon the death of the individual. As with legal and insurance issues, it is best to consult an expert in advance of the time of need. Q
Same-sex couples now eligible for family, medical leave A U.S. Labor Department spokesperson has told the Washington Blade that they are preparing guidance for employers throughout the U.S. that married same-sex couples are now eligible for family and medical leave under the law since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision striking down part of the Defense of Marriage Act. “The Wage & Hour Division is working closely with the Department of Justice and looking through all the materials that touch on this issue to determine what public guidance is necessary,” the spokesperson told the Blade. “We expect to have additional information available in the near future.” Utah couples who are legally married in another state will be eligible for FMLA. The FMLA entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons with continuation of group health insurance coverage under the same terms and conditions as if the employee had not taken leave. Eligible employees are entitled to: Twelve workweeks of leave in a 12-month period for:
the birth of a child and to care for the newborn child within one year of birth; the placement with the employee of a child for adoption or foster care and to care for the newly placed child within one year of placement; to care for the employee’s spouse, child, or parent who has a serious health condition; a serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform the essential functions of his or her job; any qualifying exigency arising out of the fact that the employee’s spouse, son, daughter, or parent is a covered military member on “covered active duty;” or Twenty-six workweeks of leave during a single 12-month period to care for a covered servicemember with a serious injury or illness if the eligible employee is the servicemember’s spouse, son, daughter, parent, or next of kin (military caregiver leave). Prior to the Supreme Court’s ruling, the Labor Department ruled same-sex couples did not qualify for the FMLA because DOMA prohibited federal recognition of same-sex marriage.
NEWS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 13
september, 2013 | issue 222 | gaysaltlake.com
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SAGE Utah Annual Garden Party & Awards Brunch Sunday September 15, 2013, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm IJ & Jeanne’ Wagner Jewish Community Center JCC, 2 N. Medical Drive, 801.581.0098 Salt Lake City, UT 84113
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14 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | NEWS
gaysaltlake.com | issue 222 | september, 2013
Q mmunity New local clothing line to promote inclusion Salt Lake City is about to become the home of a new clothing line, if Chelsey Sidler-Lartey has her way. Chelsey and her wife are launching a new clothing company, All One Species. The idea behind the company is to send a message, through apparel, that all people are bound together by love and regardless of differences, should all respect one another. With edgy designs and a strong message of inclusion, All One Species hopes to make an impact not just on the market, but also on the community. Sidler-Lartey’s long-term goal is to use the clothing line to help fund other projects. Right now, however, the focus is on launching All One Species. They
have launched a campaign on Indiegogo to help raise a small amount of capital.
It’s once again time to Dine O’Round The annual Downtown Alliance Dine O’Round takes place for 16 days in September at over 45 restaurants. Lunch specials are offered for $5 and $10, and dinner specials for $15 and $30. WHEN: Sept. 13–29 WHERE: Downtown restaurants INFO: dineoround.com
Inaugural Provo Pride is ‘Coming Out’ Provo’s first gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and ally Pride will take place this month. Entertainment, activities and an after party are planned, as orga-
Tab benoiT
The Egyptian Theatre Sept. 13-14 8pm / Tickets $35+
griTTy BLUeS rOOTSy JamS
nizers ask you to “Come help us make history.” WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. WHERE: Memorial Park, 800 E. Center St., Provo. Afterparty at The Madison, 295 W. Center St. for those over 21. INFO: ProvoPride.org or facebool.com/provopride
Equality Utah Allies Dinner Equality Utah’s 12th Annual Allies Dinner: Equality in My Community will be an evening of inspiration, entertainment and action. The Allies Dinner will feature Academy Awardwinning actor Sean Penn as keynote speaker. Receiving awards this year are the Salt Lake City School District, Troy Williams and Stephanie Pappas WHEN: Sept. 16
WHERE: Salt Palace Grand Ballroom, 100 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City INFO: equalityutah.org COST: $125
Garden party and Brunch for SAGE Utah This event is open to all and will include a full brunch with beverages, entertainment, a keynote speech by Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. There will also be an awards ceremony for “Outstanding Contribution” recipients Dr. Maggie Snyder and Jim Struve. WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. WHERE: IJ and Jeanné Wagner Jewish Community Center, 2 N. Medical Dr. COST: $40 per person REGISTER: utahpridecenter.org or charles@utahpridecenter.org
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NEWS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 15
september, 2013 | issue 222 | gaysaltlake.com
Last year Maryland state Republican Rep. Don Dwyer was arrested for drunk boating after an accident that seriously injured six people, including four children. Dwyer said he’d gotten drunk because gay marriage was legalized in Maryland. He vowed to join Alcoholics Anonymous after pleading guilty in that case. This month he was busted again for DUI.
to gays and lesbians seeking to conform their lives to their values that they are secondglass [sic] citizens, without the same right to seek help that other people enjoy. It is a right of self-determination that Gov. Christie has shut down. Governor Christie’s decision today violates the individual drive of men and women who no longer want to be tormented by unwanted homosexual desires. They are adults and should be free to seek out help for themselves with government interference,” her office released in a statement.
GALLAGHER BLASTS CHRISTIE FOR BLOCKING ‘EX-GAY’ TORTURE
RADIO HOST WISHES SHE LIVED IN ANTIGAY COUINTRY
not as i do DRUNK CUZ OF GAY MARRIAGE ARRESTED AGAIN
Former NOM chair Maggie Gallagher, who previously said she is not in favor of “ex-gay” therapy, is now dissing N.J. Gov. Chris Christie for banning that same therapy. “The new law communicates
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Janet Mefferd, who touts her Christ-centered look on life, told her followers that she wished she lived in Senegal because homosexuality is punishable by up to five years in prison there.
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“ “ “ “
gaysaltlake.com | issue 222 | september, 2013
things we heard from our readers last month
This is awesome! One more step in the right direction for equality.” —Brett Pehrson
FRY TO IOC: MOVE RUSSIAN OLYMPICS TO UTAH
Yeah, Utah has such a better view of gays. No discrimination here.” —Kelly Albers-Lowe
There is zero room for bigotry in the Olympic games, this is awesome!” —Bernie Garcia
POLL: AMERICANS WOULD PASS A COUNTRY-WIDE SAMESEX MARRIAGE LAW
This is what social conservatives fail to understand. The watershed decisions made recently are only boundary reflections of a long-standing trend toward acceptance of equal rights. The religious right is receding into shrill irrelevancy. And good riddance, too — we can have a better diverse society without all the fear-mongering and shreaking from people who are trying to legislate their religion.”
“ “
—Jay Windley
As positive as this poll result is, I still don’t understand why ANY human right should be voted on.”
—Drew Sanders
ANDY COHEN WON’T HOST MISS UNIVERSE IN RUSSIA
Who’s gonna get those girls painted and tits ready? The gays will all be in jail for stepping foot on Russian soil!”
—Harry-It Winston
CHRIS CHRISTIE TO SIGN BAN ON “EXGAY” THERAPIES
“
A family member was involved in a “conversion study” at BYU in the late ‘70’s. What the therapists asked the subjects to do would get them ex’ed from the LDS church. It was pretty scary stuff.”
—Bradley Henrie
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.
VIEWS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 17
september, 2013 | issue 222 | gaysaltlake.com
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18 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | VIEWS
gaysaltlake.com | issue 222 | september, 2013
the straight line
Why I’m an ally BY BOB HENLINE
Over the
years that I’ve written for QSaltLake and worked and fought for this community, the question I hear most frequently is, “Why?” This, our annual Allies issue, seems like the most appropriate place to answer that question. I’ve always had a basic belief that all people are equal and, as such, are entitled to equal treatment under the law. It was nearly five years ago when that belief became a passion and I took that step from being a supporter to becoming an ally. UFM_Q_mag_ad_2013_v3_x1a.pdf I was scrambling to write a column, as my editor had just
killed my first one (long story). I ended up at Thanksgiving Point for the “Sacred Ground” event — the conservative response to the Common Ground Initiative that was proposed at the Utah State Legislature. The first thing that hit me was the mass of private security being employed to make sure the protesters were kept off the property. The second, and by far most impacting, was the content of the speeches. Here we were, in the 21st century, and elected officials, 1 5/21/13and11:10 AM leaders candidates opinion were openly promoting legal
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means of discrimination and oppression of a people — based solely on their sexual orientation. I was flabbergasted, to say the least. I’ve traveled the country for years and I’ve seen racism, I’ve seen discrimination, I’ve seen bigotry, but I had never imagined that such blatant ignorance and hatred would not only be promulgated by social and political leaders, but that it would also draw very real public support. I wrote a column about this travesty and how disappointed I was in our society that we would allow elected officials to perpetuate discrimination and bigotry in this day and age. Again, my editor declined, citing that his readership “doesn’t care about gay issues.” I published the column on my blog where it was discovered by QSaltLake and re-published. The rest, as they say, is history. In the time I’ve been writing for QSaltLake I have become increasingly active in the struggle for equality in Utah. Equality very quickly changed from an intellectual pursuit to a very personal one. I came to know the people of this community, and came to love them. When you put a face on an issue you tend to lose that distance and objectivity; the love, the triumphs, the defeats, fears and pains all become very personal. For me, this has become very personal. The people of this community aren’t a faceless group of people being oppressed. You are my friends, people whom I love and respect, and your pain is my pain.
We have a world to change. I’m not going to change it, I hold to no delusions of grandeur about that. I’ve been at this for far too long for that. What I do believe, however, is that the world is going to change. It’s going to change when we teach enough people that together they have the power to change it. I teach my children. I hope they see from my example that every voice matters. I want them to learn that it is not just their right, but also their responsibility to stand up in
When you put a face on an issue you tend to lose that distance and objectivity the face of injustice, to fight for the betterment of us all. I’m not going to change the world, but maybe one of them will. Our society has a nasty habit of revolving discrimination. The more we evolve, the more we perpetuate a cycle; there’s always one group of people that finds itself on the outside. This is the cycle we need to break, and what I see in this community gives me hope that when we end the discrimination against our LGBT brothers and sisters, we will not just push it on another group, we will break that cycle. I’m an ally, not because I believe in gay rights or marriage equality, but because I believe in human rights and full equality. Q
september, 2013 | issue 222 | gaysaltlake.com
VIEWS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 19
guest editorial
Cory Monteith’s death: gay men, pay attention BY RYAN SHEA
Millions
of Glee fans and people alike were stunned and saddened by the loss of actor Cory Monteith, who played Finn Hudson on the popular television series. What makes this more heartbreaking is not only that he died at the young age of 31 but how he actually passed. The autopsy report states that he passed away from a mixed drug toxicity consisting of heroin and alcohol. It was documented that he recently completed a rehab stay between the end of March and midApril, only the second time in his life that he sought treatment for this matter. There is a depth to this story that transcends Cory and so many other issues surrounding his death- one in particular being the rapid drug trend that is sweeping the gay community. We see so many ads online promoting PNP (Party N Play) in which gay men hook up with the intention of getting high in the process of. This is a dangerous and toxic element
that is only hurting people and not helping them, which is why gay men should really view Cory’s death as a huge wakeup call. “It is all too common for men in the gay community to experiment with drugs, often at an early age,” says Dr. Edward S Goldberg, MD, who has served the gay community in New York City for the past twenty years. “The most popular drugs these days seem to be crystal meth, GHB, X, and cocaine. Heroin made a comeback a few years back as an inexpensive way to “check-Out” emotionally while getting a euphoric buzz. The way I see it, the biggest problems are crystal meth and heroin due to their nearly-instantaneous addictive potential. I’ve seen success in sobriety with both substances but I’ve seen it not end well far more often than the success I speak of.” It was never a big story in the media regarding Cory’s drug and alcohol use, mainly because he wasn’t like other celebrities whose chronicles were well-documented by the paparazzi or their recent stint on “Celebrity Rehab”. At times people keep their addiction hidden for whatever reasons need be. In millions of people’s eyes, Cory was a role model. He was under pressure to keep an image in tact that is relatable to the show. People who are under the addiction of drugs may feel the same way, but get so deep into it that it becomes a double life situation that they can’t see their way out of. “It’s very frustrating when you see someone allow their demons and addictions to take control of their lives”, retired adult film star and gay personality Charlie Harding states. “He allowed his desires and wants for a high to outweigh his self-preservation instinct, his will power and ultimately his common sense”. For the gay men who are dealing with similar problem’s that Cory dealt with, use this as a way to get help and get out of the haze you are presently in. Don’t make a temporary problem a permanent issue. Q
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gaysaltlake.com | issue 222 | september, 2013
lambda lore
Gay life in Utah in 1968-69 BY BEN WILLIAMS
Richard
Nixon became president of the United States in January of 1969. As that eventful year began in Utah, there were no homosexual support groups in the state. The only “Gay” magazine accessible in Utah was the Los Angeles Advocate, which in January had changed its name to simply The Advocate. There were no social outlets for homosexuals outside of softball leagues, which were the primary meeting places for Lesbians, and a few bars which served the closeted homosexual community. While not officially a “Gay” bathhouse, the Wasatch Springs Public Bath House and Plunge on Beck Street also serviced a fairly large closeted homosexual male clientele.
each other were more sparse and bleak. Utah County had the Pleasant Grove Rest Stops on I-15 and certain locations on the Brigham Young University campus. Logan, also being a college town, had Utah State Agriculture College as well as Lady Bird Park in Logan Canyon. Ogden had 25th Street and the part of town mostly abandoned by the train depot, but most homosexuals in Ogden found it more convenient to cruise in Salt Lake City where they could be more anonymous.
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNVERSITY
In February, 1969, the Mormon Church’s general authorities met again as Brigham Young University’s board of trustees to discuss the ongoing problem of homosexuality on that campus. Years earlier in 1962, University president Ernest Wilkinson MEETING PLACES had met with the school’s general counsel, Outside of the bars, there weren’t any safe Clyde Sandgren; the new dean of Students, places for Gay men to meet in Utah. City Elliott Cameron; and Mormon apostles parks, theaters and public buildings were Spencer Kimball and Mark Peterson “on the main homosexual cruising and gatherthe question of homosexuals who might ing places. The most active of these in be a part of our student body.” Kimball Salt Lake City were Pioneer Park, Liberty and Petersen informed Wilkinson at this Park, Memory Grove, the Greyhound Bus meeting, that “no one will be admitted Terminal, the State and Esquire Adult Theas a student at the B.Y.U. whom we have aters, the Deseret Gym, the Salt Lake City convincing evidence is a homosexual.” AdLibrary, the Skid Row section of Second ditionally, a decision was made because the South from Third West to Fifth West, and number of homosexuals on campus was the south beaches of the Great Salt Lake. considered “a very small percentage of the In Provo, Ogden and Logan, the places whole,” school administrators agreed “not where homosexuals could encounter to dignify [homosexuality] by meeting with the [homosexual] men and women of the university UTAH’S (LGBT) HIKING CLUB in a public setting, but handle each case on its own.” In other words, school officials were deterUPCOMING HIKES mined to preserve SUMMER 2013 the university’s image of being free of Sunday Sept. 8th 10am (meet downtown) Willow Lake – immorality. Willow Heights trail – Big Cottonwood Canyon. Also in 1962 Mark
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E. Petersen, suspicious of the rise of the openness of homosexuality within the LDS Church, ruled that Mormon missionaries were now required to sleep in separate beds regardless of the outcry of financial hardship by those who had to comply with the edict and buy extra beds. As society’s norms were changing in the sixties, LDS leaders were desperate to restrain human nature, especially homosexuality, which they viewed as anathema to their church mission to create families. Shock treatments and other Draconian measures were not keeping homosexuality at Brigham Young University at bay. On 13 November 1965, president Wilkinson felt compelled to address the entire student body at an allstakes fireside to affirm “Woohoo! I’m the church’s going to celebrate position on homosexuality by ‘sodomizing’ as being infecmy brains out!” tious and must be treated as a disease that if not eliminated would contaminate the entire church body. Wilkinson remarked, “BYU does not intend to admit to our campus any homosexuals. If any of you have this tendency and have not completely abandoned it, may I suggest that you leave the university immediately after this assembly; and if you will be honest enough to let us know the reason, we will voluntarily refund your tuition. We do not want others on this campus to be contaminated with your presence.” I was only 14 years old at the time but Wilkinson was directly talking to me and other Gay youth of the period. No one wanted to be contaminated with our presence. President Ernest Wilkinson eventually received permission from church authorities to ask Mormon bishops at BYU to provide the standards office with lists of students who were “inactive in the
september, 2013 | issue 222 | gaysaltlake.com
church” or who had confessed to “not living the standards of the Church.” In 1967, the first year of the new policy, 72 students who were “suspected of homosexual activity” were turned in to the standards office by their bishops. The knowledge of so many homosexuals on campus spurred the administration into action to contain the “disease.” Security files were kept on suspected students, student spying was encouraged and suspensions increased. President Wilkinson said that it was the “code of the underworld” not to inform on those wrong doers and thus instilling the belief that those who tattled were more noble then those who did not. The following year, in 1968, for the first time, the LDS General Handbook of Instructions, a policy guide for the church’s lay clergy, added “homosexual acts” to the list of sins for which a person could be excommunicated from the Mormon Church and the purging began in earnest. The first large-scale persecution of homosexuals at the Provo campus was known as “The Witch Hunt of 1968.” BYU officials acted on accusations and a spy network purged homosexuals off the Provo Campus or forced them into shock treatment therapy. All of the students rounded up were expelled from the university and comments of deviancy placed in their academic files. The official ruling from church headquarters was that none of these homosexual students “would be admitted or retained at BYU without approval from the General Authorities”. The Mormon general
authorities later, in early 1969, quietly ended the confidentiality of its members’ confessions to their LDS leaders in order to root out homosexuality on its campuses in Utah and Idaho. With this new mandate, Wilkinson instructed all BYU bishops and stake presidents to report to university authorities any student who confessed “unacceptable conduct.” This was done, according to Wilkinson, so as to eliminate “students who do not fit into the culture of BYU so those who would fit into it might be admitted to the institution.”
POLICE RAIDS Social pressure to contain a changing morality was just as strong in Salt Lake City, where first amendment rights were subject to violation. In March 1969, the police raided a private home and seized pictures, books and movies which they deemed obscene. Thirty five reels of motion picture film, many photographs, and paperback books deemed “pornographic” were located in a bedroom closet at the Lake Street home. The resident of the home was fined $100 for having pornography in his home.
LOGAN However, up in Logan of all places, a spark of freedom was ignited when Utah State University published the first student poem in Utah that contained a subtle Lesbian theme, entitled “Modigliani’s Gypsy.” This was in stark contrast to what was happening at the private university in Utah County where men wearing facial hair was even banned. Times were changing. Q
VIEWS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 21
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Ted Yoho BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI
People who
identify as gay or lesbian are often accused of being “confused,” especially when we first come out. As if heterosexuality were the answer to some really complicated calculus problem that we’d eventually solve if only we’d try harder. Of course sometimes folks who claim that gays and lesbians are confused think that we don’t know how penises and vaginas work. In any case, it’s insulting. With the rapidly increasing support of gays and lesbians, as individuals and as families, however, you’ve got to take the scope of who is “confused” a lot wider if you want to argue that equality is simply the result of befuddlement. Enter U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., who, at a recent town hall meeting, said, “I’m a Christian conservative. I believe marriage is between a man and a woman,” to much applause. He went on to complain about the Supreme Court overturning the Defense of Marriage Act. “It’s a states’ rights issue and the federal government, I personally think they need to stay out of it,” he said. Ah, yes. A states’ rights issue. Hey, remember when “states’ rights” was secret code for white people keeping black people down? I don’t know, I just thought of that for some reason. Yoho went on to say, “More importantly, I think it’s a sad state of affairs in America today that we as a society are so confused that we have to redefine what marriage is. It’s an institution that’s been around for thousands years and I feel like it’s ordained by God, and are we that confused as a country that we have to start redefining these things?” There it is. The confusion argument. We’re not becoming a more tolerant and accepting society, we’re just confused! We must have accidentally hit ourselves really hard in the head with a rainbow flag or something. You don’t have to look very far into
Yoho’s other comments at that same town hall to determine who might have a head injury, however. Take, for example, his claim that The Affordable Care Act is racist. Against white people. Because it imposes a tax on tanning beds. Which are apparently only for white people. Who want skin cancer. As is their right in The God Blessed American Constitution. I mean, obviously the tax has nothing to do with the health care costs involved in treating people who gave themselves cancer on purpose. It’s because Obama “I think it’s a sad hates whitey. state of affairs in “It’s a racist America today tax,” Yoho told that we as a the audience. And they went society are so nuts. confused that we He went on, have to redefine “I had an Indian doctor in what marriage is” our office the other day, very dark skin, with two non-dark skin people, and I asked this to him. I said, ‘Have you ever been to a tanning booth?’ and he goes, ‘No, no need.’ So therefore it’s a racist tax and I thought I might need to get to a sun tanning booth so I can come out and say I’ve been disenfranchised because I got taxed because of the color of my skin.” So much brilliance there it’s nearly blinding. First of all, “non-dark skin people” is totally how white people talk about other white people. All the time. Secondly, fuck this guy for making light (seriously, no pun intended) of racial minorities being disenfranchised in this country. Especially since Yoho is from Florida, with a long and continuing history of racism and where tanning is free if you just go outside. I hope Yoho does go tanning. And I hope he tans so much he gets purged from the voting rolls in Florida, like so many other “dark skin people” have been. Q
september, 2013 | issue 222 | gaysaltlake.com
VIEWS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 23
a mom’s view ATTENTION ALL WRITERS AND POETS A PLACE TO WRITE: A few months ago I was invited to attend the Gay Writes Community Writing Club sponsored by Salt Lake Community College. We meet the First and Third Monday’s at 6:30pm, SLCC Community Writing Center, 210 East and 400 South, Suite 8. This group is open to the LGBT community and allies. There are poets, fiction, non-fiction. Members get feedback and help on their writings; it has helped me a great deal with writing my articles. For the next few months, I will be highlighting some of the great talent in the group. I know you will enjoy the writings. Leesa@LeesaMyers.com
All Good Stories Must Have Conflict BY DOUG WOODALL
I’ve always
been interested in writing. This is the number one reason I volunteered to be one of the co-mentors of Gay Writes, a writing group sponsored by SLCC’s Community Writing Center, that My greatest began in 2010. problem was Yet, from the start and until I’d never done quite recently, anything worth I kept one writing about rule: I don’t write fiction. If someone asked me to write a personal essay or a speech, a business report or a feasibility study, I’d feel confident. If he or she wanted me to write a short story, I’d feel inept. When did my feelings against writing fiction start? I know it was within the first three months of starting eighth grade. So you understand what happened, I need to introduce you to Johnny. From the middle of sixth grade on, Johnny was my best friend. Every summer he went to live with his grandparents in Preston, Idaho, to work on their farm. Where I always wasted my summers, Johnny seemed to live an adventure. He worked for pay, wore cowboy boots and hat, rode horses, and raised and sold a heifer. At the start of eighth grade, I was jealous that Johnny had more money of his own than I did. Unlike him, I couldn’t work for my grandfather or raise and sell a heifer. Then I didn’t want to follow in my older
brothers’ footsteps and get a paper route. One answer was to write a novel. My greatest problem was I’d never done anything worth writing about, but lo and behold my friend Johnny had. To my way of thinking all I had to do was sit at my mother’s typewriter, listen to whatever Johnny told me, and write it all down. Then wah lah, I’d have a bestselling novel and Johnny and I’d be multi-millionaires. We probably made six or seven attempts, but every time I failed at making up a story. Then I couldn’t figure out what my problem was. What makes a story people want to hear or read or view? If I could have answered the question back in eighth grade, I might be a great writer today. The answer is simple: Every scene in a story must have conflict. Those conflicts drive the characters to act, but they cannot act in entirely predictable ways. Part of the joy that comes from reading a book or watching a movie is discovering who the characters are, what happens to them, and what they do. Then toward the end of a story, all conflicts must be resolved. After finally learning these simple rules, I’ve started to write fiction. Also, I’ve come to believe life has to be the same as a good story. You may hate conflicts, but you have to have them. If you don’t, you can’t change or grow. You couldn’t even tell a story about yourself worth listening to. Then, like all good stories, you need to understand life is unpredictable, but still you need to work toward resolutions. I wish I could say all stories must have happy endings. But that’s not great storytelling, and that’s not great living. If you think about it, to have a happy ending in every situation would be as boring as sitting in church for three hours every Sunday. You might even fall asleep, but this time you’d fall asleep on your own life Q
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guest editorial
Love knows no borders BY RYAN STEINMETZ
I’m a U.S. citizen,
l iving on the border, straddling two worlds and two realities. Six years ago, I fell in love with Sal, a doctor, who lived in Juarez, Mexico. Our connection was instantaneous, and soon we were travelling back and forth across the border to see each other. Eventually, the violence in Juarez forced Sal to leave his job at the local hospital. He moved in with me on a student visa because he wanted to get his medical residency here in America. When the Supreme Court struck down
While the end of DOMA was a great step forward, there are millions of families in the U.S. being separated due to our country’s broken immigration system. the Defense of Marriage Act last month, it meant that both of our borders could come down. Now I can sponsor Sal for a green card and we can truly start planning our lives together. While the end of DOMA was a great step forward for the LGBT community — which includes at least 267,000 LGBT immigrants — there are millions of families in the United States at risk of being separated due to our country’s broken immigration system. For the first time in our generation, we have the best chance of improving millions of lives. The Senate recently passed a bipartisan immigration reform bill that goes a long way in supporting the 11 million aspiring U.S. citizens who reside in the country presently. Americans overwhelmingly support comprehensive immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship. As we celebrate the Senate bill and
work to pass legislation in the House, Sal and I will be hosting our own celebration. This September, Sal and I are getting married. The wedding will be in Washington, D.C., because we cannot legally marry in New Mexico. We’re thrilled to finally wed, but harsh border security will prevent many of our family and friends who are living without papers to join us. They are afraid of being caught by one of the many internal checkpoints along the border that would keep them from returning home. Living in Las Cruces, I understand the realities of security but I truly don’t understand why the Senate wants to spend more than $40 billion on heightened security at the border. It seems reckless and unnecessary, especially because we already spend nearly $18 billion a year detecting, detaining, and deporting immigrant workers, more than expenditures on all other federal law enforcement priorities combined. I know the Senate bill is far from perfect because of issues like the border surge, but we can no longer stand by and let 11 million undocumented individuals be treated like second-class citizens and have an estimated 1,100 families torn apart each day. That’s why the LGBT community must stand strong for comprehensive reform and demand that Congress address our broken immigration system. As a gay man in love with an immigrant, I understand the challenges that undocumented immigrants face, especially the approximately 267,000 LGBT immigrants who want to come to the U.S., outside of the option of marrying a citizen. America deserves a vote on immigration reform with a roadmap to citizenship for 11 million aspiring U.S. citizens. Q Ryan Steinmetz is the director of Border Servant Corps, a volunteer-based program in which participants spend a year in the border region working in various service partnerships.
wtf?!
MEXICAN POL: REJECT GAY MARRIAGE CUZ GAYS DON’T FACE EACH OTHER DURING SEX Ana María Jiménez Ortiz, a member of Mexico’s PAN party, says that gays should not be allowed to marry because, “A marriage should only be considered amongst people that can look at each other in the eye while having sexual intercourse. Something that does not happen in homosexual couples.”
SAN ANTONIO COUNCILWOMAN: GAYS ARE DISGUSTING San Antonio Councilwoman Elisa Chan is under pressure to resign after she was recorded making anti-gay comments. “Whatever you want to do in your bedroom is none of my business ... I think it’s just disgusting just to even think about.” She also said gays should be banned from adoption (like in Utah) and, “anything that is against nature is not right.” She later released an unapologetic statement that she has a Constitutional right to her opinions and would not resign.
like GAY PORN COMPANY TO DONATE PROCEEDS TO HELP LGBT CHARITIES New porn company Boy Town Studios will be donating “100 percent of the profits from all these movies, including DVD sales, video-on-demand, cable and broadcast will be donated to our newlycreated non-profit,” said owner Mike Kulich. Their first video will go towards helping Russian gays. So, soon you’ll be able to feel good about ... feeling good.
AKC CALLS TO MOVE WORLD DOG SHOW OUT OF RUSSIA American Kennel Club has called for moving the World Dog Show from Russia where it is scheduled to take place in 2016, because of Russia’s human rights abuses against gay people. “The international dog community deserves to enjoy the World Dog Show in a place that stands for freedom and equal rights for all,” AKC wrote.
september, 2013 | issue 222 | gaysaltlake.com
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who’s your daddy?
I read a book BY CHRISTOPHER KATIS
When Niko
came along, my parents gave Gus the book, I’m a Big Brother by Johanna Cole. It’s written to help older siblings get used to a new family member. The problem was that with a mom and dad on every page, it didn’t really reflect Gus’s family reality. So my mom scratched out all the references to “Mama” and wrote “Papa” instead. Recently, I ran across that book. Seeing it made me wonder what kids’ books are available that do show LGBT families. Well, here are some suggestions for you to consider the next time you’re in the market One day she for a children’s found the book. back door A Tale of Two Daddies by left open and Vanita Oeldiscovered a schlager. In this whole new fun read, a girl with two dads world outside answers “which parent does what” questions. We learn that in her family both dads help with math, but Papa’s the dad that helps with the bath. There’s also a two-mom version called A Tale of Two Mommies. And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell. Our friend Giancarlo gave Gus this book when he was a toddler. It’s the real-life story of two gay penguins in the Central Park Zoo, who are given an abandoned egg to hatch. The result is their daughter, Tango. This is a well-written and illustrated classic, and has always been a big hit in our home. Daddy, Papa, and Me by Leslea Newman. In this rhyme book geared toward younger kids, a toddler shares the fun he has playing with his two dads. It’s an okay read, but being older, my kids were bored. Newman also has a sister book for two-mom families called Mommy, Mama, and Me.
Donovan’s Big Day by Leslea Newman. With dogged determination, Donovan spends his day staying out of trouble and focusing on one important job: serving as the ring bearer at his two moms’ wedding. It’s a cute book, and the boys really enjoyed the illustrations. King and King by Linda de Haan. I have to come clean: I haven’t read this book. But the boys and I saw it acted (and read) on YouTube. It’s the story of an abdicating queen, who insists her son be married before he ascends the throne. After a series of princesses are rejected, one finally shows up with her hot brother. And the two princes are married. The Different Dragon by Jennifer Bryan. This is a story within a story. The fact that the main character has two moms is incidental. I liked that. The book relates a bedtime story that Noah and one of his moms create about a dragon who doesn’t want to be fierce. Literally judging this book by its cover, at first Niko was excited to read it. But he ended up being disappointed because the (not fierce) dragon wasn’t the main character. This is My Family by Pat Thomas. Honestly, the boys didn’t particularly like this book. To me it felt too academic. Written for younger kids, it’s an age-appropriate look at LGBT families. But every few pages it offers questions to guide discussion. It almost seemed like something a progressive preschool would use in its curriculum on empathy. Although I’ve listed an even number of moms and dads books, my research uncovered far more mom titles than dad ones. Maybe I need to change that.
WHERE TO BUY THESE TITLES Both The King’s English and Golden Braid Books carry some titles, and will try to order those not in stock. Another great option is Wackadoodlebooks.com, which does have these books. Founder Amy Palmer and I have something in common: we’re both dedicated to promoting family literacy. Q
Friday evenings 4–8pm at Sugar House Park through October 11
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queer shift
Celebration Shift BY CHARLES LYNN FROST
Hopefully
someone or several people celebrate your victories in life. Especially you! Everyone needs an ally or team of allies. Likewise we all need to support and truly celebrate others in our lives who mean the most to us. August is a great time to reflect on the life you are getting compared to the life you are wanting. Looking back, looking forward. It begins with gratitude, awareness, and acknowledgement. In 2007, I adored Marion Cotillard’s academy award winning performance of the life of Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose, marking the first time an Oscar had been given for a French-language role. The film culminates with in Piaf’s glorious anthem, Non, je ne regrette rien, or translated--No Regrets. No! No regrets No! I will have no regrets All the things That went wrong For at last I have learned to be strong No! No regrets No! I will have no regrets For the grief doesn’t last It is gone I’ve forgotten the past And the memories I had I no longer desire Both the good and the bad I have flung in a fire And I feel in my heart That the seed has been sown It is something quite new It’s like nothing I’ve known No! No regrets No! I will have no regrets All the things that went wrong For at last I have learned to be strong The doorway to being happy should be translated or actually marked ‘Making Things Happen.’ If you concentrate on living your life with purpose, the being happy part will take care of itself. The current research is pretty clear. It is more significant and it creates more trust when you offer support to others
when things go right. Being a reliable ally. Abundance versus Scarcity perspective, right? Most of us have a difficult time celebrating and sharing what is good and wonderful in our lives. Engaging, embracing, creating the life we want, versus living in the past, full of regrets. A lot of people don’t want to hear you when you have something great to celebrate. People are often jealous, self-absorbed, and indifferent when you celebrate something that is really happy and significant for you. They compare, compete, and even criticize. We have learned not to brag and to softpedal the good and wonderful things in the name of some misbegotten notion of humility. I say fuck that. Each of us is in charge of determining what makes life worth living, and what’s really important to us regarding life happiness and celebration. May I humbly offer a real gem or annual practice that works for me, a late-summer suggestion for everyone, but particularly for Queer people; begin creating an annual list of what makes like worth living. Today. Read it regularly, update and add to it frequently, even delete things or people when they become non-nourishing or even worse toxic in your life. When you can celebrate what makes your life worth living, be truly glad for someone else’s victories and good fortune, you are for more likely to be able to really celebrate your own successes, both large and small. Others have faith in you, and you have more faith in yourself. Here’s a short version of my current list, just to give you an idea.
WHAT MAKES LIFE WORTH LIVING? (a few ideas not in any particular order) Douglas Lott, my cowboy husband…who is my life Traveling afar as well as short, renewing day trips All things Italian, cities, food, wine, history, language, opera, literature George Bernard Shaw plays, essays, quotations A perfect filet mignon, with sauteed mushrooms (my definition 8 oz. Med. Rare)
Moab red rock Anything wooden, glass or the color black Sunrises, spring lilacs, wintertime candles My MacBook Pro Paul Simon (anytime) Lime green compound bi-pinnate leaves of a locust trees Pale green cymbidium orchids Fresh homemade pesto, from basil and other herbs I have grown, sharing it. Sleeping with the windows open, and snuggling Stephen Sondheim musicals Garth Brooks’ Wranglers Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Ella and Aretha, the Divas Robert Altman films Early seasons of HBO series W.H., and E.E. Mozart, Gershwin, Liszt Meditation, massage, re-creation The smallest circle of closest friends Integrity, authenticity, pride, trust, truthtelling, change & choice, hope, faith, love, respect, unity My intelligent, courageous, beautiful daughter Missing Deacon, my emotionally unavailable but perfectly adorable Westhighland Terrier and jonesing for a new dog A hidden, previously unexplored mountain path Seeing theatre and talking about it with Topher Fresh-baked breads Quiet, absolutely no audible sound Those who value shock-value Sauret, Monet, Manet, Picasso and VanGogh Frank Lloyd Wright’s genius Symmetrical, perfectly placed vegetable seeds in rich soil (anticipation) Bluebells atop the Alpine Loop Catching up with an old friend Seeing the highway patrol before they see me Meetings with agendas Mossy rocks in any mountain river/stream/ streamlet A cold bedroom with really cold stiff white sheets Violent thunderstorms, midsummer variety Fresh asparagus, peaches, green beans, spinach, red potatoes Knowing that fate and the universe send good things to me, I can attract them Listening to old Dionne Warwick CD’s during the month of March Knowing about unconditional love, and being challenged with the opportunity to actually practice it Volunteering for something that evokes change
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Working out at the gym (really pushing boundaries) 2½ yr. Olds Rare chances of 10+ hours of sleep Philosophy (all kinds) A good argument A Bombay sapphire martini, up, 3 Maytag blue cheese stuffed olives Someone who thinks it isn’t possible Realizing that I am more and more like my Dad, Darrell Jarvis Frost that I ever thought possible, a male hero—after his death and in my very own mid-life Discovering the literal manifestation of universal principles Knowledge of the principle of reciprocity WINE Beautiful MEN, and Women Punctuality Staying healthy William Shakespeare’s plays (sans Titus Andronicus) Savoring good writing and reading the Sunday N.Y. Times over coffee, nowhere to go, nothing to do Samuel Barber compositions Satire, comedy, parody, wit, jokes, laughing, Ha Ha in general Mentoring Writing Knowing that if is am not living on the edge, I am taking up too much space Unexpected raises Service, parables, soulmates, bookstores Grandchildren The sunlight through the many windows in our home early in the morning Knowing that my heaven will be a big heaven, and I will walk through the front door Establishing the movement Loving truth, put pardoning error It may not be “now or never,” but it’s almost always “NOW is better.” No regrets! Q
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thinking out loud
Do We Have to Forgive the Ex-Gays? BY ABBY DEES
When Alan
Chambers, the president of Exodus “ex-gay” Ministries publically apologized for the hurt he has caused LGBT people, I forgave him. There are few things more powerful to change attitudes about LGBT lives than religious leaders publically sharing their personal journeys toward understanding. No need to flagellate him for past wrongdoings; he’s here now. Let’s look forward. My fellow LGBT commentators haven’t been so eager to hand out forgiveness to anyone who asks for it. Look no further than the comments sections of LGBT media reports on the apology to see a litany of the psychological and spiritual torture that Chambers and his ilk have perpetuated, however well-intended his apology. Their issue with Exodus wasn’t that they simply disagreed with the message, but that the message caused real harm, even death. In light of this, how could I have been so willing to let it all go and move on? The problem, if you want to call it that, is that I have never once doubted that my sexual orientation was perfectly fine in the eyes of my creator. Even when I faced discrimination at work and school, or worried that my family would never understand,
or if being gay would doom me to a life of loneliness, I laid all my concerns at the feet of other people, not God. My spirituality only ever served to give me strength and determination in a world of human frailty. I have no idea what it’s like to think that my very being, as Joel Osteen frequently puts it, isn’t “God’s best plan” — a new and improved way of saying God still thinks LGBT lives kinda suck. Now yet another Exodus leader, former VP Randy Thomas, has apologized. The responses are just as damning as before: His apology is vague, or hollow, or means nothing until he actually does something to undo the damage. Some suggested that Thomas donate all the money he ever made from Exodus to PFLAG, or any other organization doing the clean-up work. This all makes sense to me on an intellectual level. We throw words like “forgiveness” around the same way that we call anyone who manages to survive a calamity a “hero.” The power of those words is too easily diluted by sloppy, facile use. Here we have men who, correctly, acknowledged their mistakes. Good. This is important. But just how admirable is it to decide to do the right thing after you’ve been doing the wrong thing time after time? I truly don’t know.
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Both of these men have made declarations to keep providing support and ministry to people who choose to keep trying to be straight – or something along those lines. I’m not sure if that’s the accepted terminology. Could it be “struggling with homosexual inclinations”? Something like that. Again, I have no idea why you’d want to do anything other than make peace with your gayness, unless you still feel there’s something inherently wrong with it. This shows me they have not yet understood their own complicity in others’ pain, let alone sacrificed enough to atone — and how could they ever do enough to fully make up for the slow, pernicious, soul-etching effect of the “not God’s best” happy talk? These apologies, at best, are statements of intention to begin the process of helping piece Isn’t “God’s best together shatplan” a new and tered lives and improved way of spirits. No more than that. saying God still And also, no thinks LGBT less. I still want lives kinda suck? to forgive them. I have the right to, as much as anyone else has the right not to. I was struck by one comment, alone among the many justifiably angry ones, from someone named Czahn: “God made me gay, he also made me have the capacity to forgive […] Today I am free to be me. Because I chose to forgive, and move forward…fiercely.” [sic] Like Czahn, I have to believe that there is power in my forgiveness. I won’t disparage those who can’t let these ex-gays off the hook, but there must be some small measure of healing to be found in accepting an offer of reconciliation. My forgiveness means that I expect a lot from these men, and that the hard work begins now. Q Abby is a civil rights attorney-turned-author who has been in the LGBT rights trenches for 25+ years. She can be reached through her website: queerquestionsstraighttalk. com
september, 2013 | issue 222 | gaysaltlake.com
LAGOON DAY! | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 29
Thanks to our photographers at Lagoon Day! AJ Morales, Clay Burton, Bandy Naef, Brian Morris, Kat Baum, Jason McManus, Adam Alder, Tami Bowman Hansen, and Obed Mireles. More at facebook.com/qsaltlake
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ALLIES Each year, QSaltLake takes a special look at the allies who are helping make the world a better place for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Also each year, Equality Utah hosts their annual Allies Dinner to honor those not officially in our community, but welcomed in part because of their efforts on ouir behalf. This year, the Allies dinner features film and television star Sean Penn, known for his portrayal of Harvey Milk in the film Milk, among numerous other accolades. The dinner will take place on Monday, Sept. 16, in the Salt Palace Grand Ballroom. Honorees this year include Troy Williams,
longtime activist and radio producer, for his years of work supporting Utah’s LGBT community; Stephanie Pappas, a dedicated local businesswoman and community activist who headed Equality Utah’s board of directors for many years; and the Salt Lake City School Board for their work in promoting safe and inclusive schools by passing a non-discrimination policy as well as an anti-bullying/harassment policy. SLCSB also provides partner benefits to district employees. The event kicks with a Capitol Club Reception at 5:30 p.m. The general reception begins at 6 p.m., and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Q
This year, QSaltLake opened nominations to our readers for their favorite allies. Many are not necessarily those who grab the headlines, but people that made meaningful differences in ouir readers’ lives. Here is a sampling, as written by our readers:
Lisa Safeer
One of our best allies is not a politician, religious leader or business leader … she is merely an amazing woman. Lisa Safeer, of Farmington, shows her support and love through her example and teachings. This sweet woman has made many a gay person feel safe and loved. When her children had gay friends whom had been kicked out of their “Christian homes” after coming out, Lisa and her husband, David, took them in and showed them they are special. Lisa speaks out loud and often when she senses any kind of intolerance towards her friends, people she doesn’t even know, and the entire LGBT community. A faithful and happy member of the LDS church, she has taught her children (none of which have said they are gay) that everyone deserves love and respect. Their eldest daughter has always had gay men as her “best friends” whom have always been welcomed with love into the home and family. When one of her younger daughters asked in church why gay marriage is wrong, her teacher called her a “liberal.” To Lisa and her daughter’s credit, the daughter asked, “What is that?” What a great lesson she has taught her children, and to us all that it is not a political issue, but a matter of humanity. Lisa is one of the first people I met when I returned to Utah and she went out of her way to make me feel loved and comfortable in this sometimes anti-gay state. My Partner, Al, and I consider it a blessing to have Lisa, David and their daughters in our lives. —Michael Nielsen
Jen Parsons Soran
I don’t know an ally that does more for the lgbt community. She works tirelessly to put on events supporting the cause, generates revenue to support events/ programs and spreads the positive message with her work in the broader community. She’s done it for years and never toots her own horn, she lets the lgbt community get the praise. —Janet Jorgensen
Quotes from Sean Penn while accepting the Academy Award for ‘Milk’ “For those who saw the [Westboro Baptist Church] signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way of support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone.” “I think if we get used to dismissing these kind of comments rather than commenting on them, we’ll be better off. It’s meaningless jibberish,” he said, expressing his sadness at the “culture of ignorance that has bred this kind of hateful expression, that these people have their signs outside essentially telling you that you’re less than human.”
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gaysaltlake.com | issue 222 | september, 2013
Kelly and John Lake, LeCroissant Catering
If you’ve attended Equality Utah’s garden parties or similar events, you’ve experienced the flavorful creations of Kelly Lake and her staff at LeCroissant Catering. LeCroissant, however, is so much more than a business that supports endeavors within this community. They are a leader in corporate responsibility and staunch allies of this community. Kelly and her staff are always ready and willing to help with any catering need and have supported Utah’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community with food and events for years. Beyond that, however, they practice what they preach. LeCroissant has one of the business community’s most inclusive nondiscrimination and sexual harassment policies and provides all of their employees with a safe, inclusive and welcoming work environment. In Kelly’s words: “It is not OK to dislike or deny someone because of things they can’t control. What you can control is the harm you choose to cause people.”
Brent Marrott
Brent volunteers in many capacities having to do with cancer patients, cancer care, but he also has many volunteer hours within our community. Brent is a member of the board of directors of Sage Utah. He attends and helps out with all functions. He is very active in PFLAG and helps out where he can and attends their meetings. He is and has been active in Pride day for years in many positions. Brent has gone to the women’s festival in Torrey at his own expense to run booths for different organizations. When someone asks for help, Brent never says no. Brent can be a bit abrasive at times, but that is because he is passionate about what he does and he doesn’t put up with any crap. You always know where you stand with him. Brent’s heart is very big and he spends a lot of time helping and volunteering to make our LGBTQ community better. —Douglas Tollstrup
James Adelman, The Joint
James Adelman opened the first two franchises of The Joint in Utah, in Sugar House and Cottonwood Heights. Since moving to Salt Lake City two years ago, he has been an active real estate broker as well as a member of several local organizations, including the Utah Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. He is also a co-founder of the Sugar House Art Walk and a member of the Sugar House Merchants Association Board of Directors. James is a community-minded businessman who is always involved, always helping the community, and usually behind the spotlight. He is from a family of activists; his mother was an ACLU chapter president and was deeply involved in the civil rights and ERA movements; and, his uncle is the owner/publisher of the LGBT Echo Magazine in Phoenix. His inspiration, he says, comes from his 17-year-old son Nicholas, a member of the LGBT community who has written guest editorials for QSaltLake as well as Echo Magazine, and who volunteers for local LGBT youth associations working with at-risk youth. The Joint is a different kind of chiropractic clinic, providing everyone access to health and wellness through a membership program. They focus on affordability and convenience, with both locations being open seven days a week, and no appointments required. If you’re looking for affordable, quality chiropractic care, look no further than The Joint, and support a business that’s got your back in more ways than one. Q
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september, 2013 | issue 222 | gaysaltlake.com
Bob Henline
Diane and Sam Stewart
The Stewarts have made Utah a more equal and beautiful place through their support of LGBTQ organizations, fair-minded politicians, and the arts. They support Equality Utah and the Human Rights Campaign. They served on the committee to elect Mayor McAdams, supported Sen. Jim Dabakis, and hosted a fundraiser for a group of women Democratic leaders. They have been active in Mormons Building Bridges and marched with the group in the Pride parades. In 2012, Diane was quoted in the New York Times: “I hope the church will have a change in doctrine, that the membership will have a change of heart,” said Diane Stewart, 58, a Mormon who teaches Sunday
school in Salt Lake City. “If they can’t wrap their arms around it, they really will be left behind.” The Stewarts are passionate about art. From Salt Lake City to Spring City to Palm Springs, they are well-known supporters of local artists, and are renowned for having a worldclass art collection — which they have generously loaned to the Utah Museum of Fine Arts’ marquee 2013 exhibition Bierstadt to Warhol: American Indians in the West. The Stewarts are supporters of the Utah Film Center’s Damn These Heels! LGBT Film Festival, hosting garden parties for actors and directors.. They represent the best of compassion, passion, art, and community in Utah, and I have so much admiration and appreciation for what they do. —Marcie Collett
Bob has zero tolerance for discrimination and even less patience for those, who mask their bigotry behind religion. He isn’t just the first one to stand up for LGBT rights, he’s usually the guy organizing and leading a march or protest. Bob’s level of understanding about the issues facing the LGBT community is impressive to say the least. He gets that we’re not a monolith. He recognizes that whereas there are universal issues we face around civil rights, but also knows there are specific issues specific to LGBT parents, seniors, youth, etc. That’s why he spreads his love, commitment and time across the community - raising awareness with SAGE, advocating for parents to state legislators, or holding one of his famous BBQs to raise funds for homeless LGBT youth. I always joke that Bob is a better gay man than I could ever be. And we as a community are better for that. I know I probably sound like I’m gushing, but I love this guy... like a brother....a big, bearish brother. But if everyone cared about this community as much as he does, we’d be a lot better off. —Christopher Katis
EXHIBITIONS
O-Town Arts
CREATING ABSENCE
Jerry Schaffer
He was my high school AVID teacher at Cyprus High School and when I decided to start up a GSA for the school he was more than happy to be the faculty adviser for the club. He supported us in whatever we wanted to do and never judged. There was a QSA network meeting at the pride center once and he took a few of the members even though he was the only club adviser present from other schools. He even participated in some crazy ice breakers with us (even though they hurt his back a little) and did it with a smile. His classroom was always a place where I felt comfortable being myself. Now that I have been out of high school for a little over a year now, he still keeps in touch and supports me in whatever endeavors I choose to pursue. I can talk to him about anything and he always had an open mind about it. —Karissa Killian
AUG 16 - NOV 23
Utah Biennial MONDO UTAH
MAY 10 - DEC 14
Gianni Pettena
FORGIVEN BY NATURE JULY 5 - SEP 21 EVENTS
Tala Madani
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This solo exhibition will feature the artist’s new body of work including paintings and animations.
OCT 4 – JAN 4, 2014
Family Art Saturday SEP 14 | 2-4 PM
Art Fitness Training SEP 28. OCT 5, OCT 12
Curatorial Walkthrough
SEP 6 & 20 | 6 PM
W H E R E AR T H I S TO RY I S MAD E 20 S WEST TEMPLE • SLC UT 84101 • 801.328.4201
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Trans* artist featured in UMFA’s ‘salt 8’ Shigeyuki Kihara, born in 1975 in Samoa, is the featured artist of the new salt 8 exhibit at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. The Kihara exhibit features two distinct versions of the Samoan taualuga, or “last dance,” which is traditionally the culmination of Samoan social functions. The two works, Siva in Motion and Galu Afi, are video works in which the artist’s character is featured dancing alone in darkness wearing a traditional Victorian mourning dress. Kihara performs a taualuga-inspired dance, but at a dramatically slow pace, in the absence of sound, and without an audience. She is bathed in warm light, but her dress and face recede into the shadows. The silent videos, combined with the mourning dress and the somber tone, highlight the tragedy of the 2009
tsunami that rocked Samoan with devastating effect. They also put this tragedy into the context of Samoa’s history, which is rife with storms and earthquakes. Kihara makes a powerful statement about the devastating impact of social assimilation and climate change in these powerful performance pieces. Kihara is also known for her 2005 work, Fa’a fafine; In a Manner of a Woman piece. This triptych highlights Kihara’s identity as fa’a fafine, or third gender in Samoan culture. salt 8 is the eighth installment of the Utah Museum of Fine Arts’ ongoing series of semi-annual exhibitions showcasing the work of emerging artists throughout the world. The exhibit aims to reflect the international impact of contemporary art today. Q
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gaysaltlake.com | issue 222 | september, 2013
My gay interview with Courtney Love BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI
Just give
Courtney Love 10 minutes – the time I had to talk to her recently in the midst of her tour – and she’ll tell you a lot of things without you asking. She’ll tell them rapidly, because that’s how her mouth moves, and she’ll tell them at random, because that’s how her mind works. In our quick chat, a blunt-as-ever Love told me about the modern-day rock queers she calls “ninja” gays, how she’s actually “really normal” and her desire to educate Kurt Cobain’s family on, I think, equal rights … or something. I know you know you have a lot of gay fans. I do, indeed. Have you noticed gays at the shows on this tour? Hell yes! There was one show in Port Chester, N.Y.; I probably won’t be returning there. There weren’t any kids and there weren’t any gays. It was all ladies who were my age … with their hubbies! Some of them didn’t take very good care of themselves. It was really freaky. I need the gays there. If I don’t have the gays, I just go nuts, because they always know every word and they’re the best core audience you can have. And it’s just nice. And you know no one’s gonna attack you and you’re not gonna get a crazy person. After the shows I can’t go and sign autographs without a bodyguard, and I don’t have a bodyguard on this trip, per se, and all it takes is just one freak, because I’m so polarizing. I wish the gay kids and the kids would just go in one clump and then everyone else would go in another clump, because then I could go over to them and sign autographs and stuff and feel completely safe, but
I don’t feel completely safe so I just wave and jump in the bus. And some people have traveled seven hours, or nine hours, or 20 hours – I hear all sorts of stories – to get there and I try to give them an autograph, but I get really freaked out that there’s just gonna be some crazy straight guy with some crazy ass agenda who’s gonna try and hurt me. You and the gay community have something in common: We’ve both been bullied. What’s your advice on dealing with haters? Don’t read the comments. (Laughs) I think you just let it rub off of you like a duck’s back. I said this recently on my Twitter feed; I was like, “Yo, Amanda Bynes, chill out,” and she went off on me and called me “ugly.” It’s like, “Dude, I’ve been called ugly since I was 13; honestly, that’s it? Ugly? That’s it? Oh, ouch. You hurt my feelings.” I mean, it so doesn’t hurt my feelings. That’s like calling me a slut. It’s like yeah, and … ? It’s true! But I’m not saying that I feel ugly. Five years ago you celebrated the passing of Prop 8 on your blog, where you noted you voted “yes” – a vote against marriage equality – on the amendment to ban same-sex marriage in California. I did not mistakenly vote yes. I voted the right way. I printed (on the blog) that I mistakenly voted yes. Thanks for clarifying that. Yeah, well, good. I’m just bad at math and I didn’t write it down quite correctly. How do you feel about the recent Supreme Court ruling that overturned Prop 8, making it legal for gay couples to marry in California? I’m really excited about it. I think it’s great. The saddest thing is to see, like, two old lesbians who’ve lived together for 1,001 years, and I’ve seen this happen with a relative of Kurt’s ... and Kurt’s family is so weird they won’t admit she’s a lesbian. But whatever. He actually had an uncle die of AIDS and they won’t admit that he died of AIDS. It’s
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just completely freaky. I think it has a lot to do with a lack of education in Grays Harbor, and with his family I’ve offered everyone down to the last cousin a college education … and nobody wants it. It’s completely weird. Anyyyway. I feel like, um … wait, I just lost track of the question. What was the question? About your feelings on marriage equality in California. Oh, I knew this older lesbian, and her partner died and she had no civil rights to anything. Nothing! And all of a sudden the family moved in and they’d been estranged for 20-some years and it was ridiculous. Then I have a younger friend named Jason who got married in West Hollywood about six years ago and all of a sudden his husband died of a heart attack and he was left with absolutely nothing. I tried to get him a lawyer so he could fight it; I mean, they were married legally at a time when it was legal. Nobody would take his case. I don’t know why. It was really horrible. He was left with nothing. It’s disgusting. Just disgusting. Embarrassing and disgusting.
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OUR PETS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 37
because they support you! The Chamber is open to corporations of all sizes, sole proprietors and independent agents and is a great place to meet other professionals, make business contacts, promote your business and work for the enhancement of Utah’s gay and lesbian community.
Last year you and Perez Hilton were going back and forth on Twitter, and you told him you could make him a better gay man. What are your gay guru qualifications? (Laughs) Well, be specific. What do you mean? He was talking about not getting laid and you were coaching him, joking that he wasn’t a very good gay man. Well, he’s mean; that doesn’t help. I’ve known that guy for so long, you have no idea. I knew him when his blog was a month old. But I don’t know what I meant. It was a tweet! I don’t know how to make anyone a better gay man. I really don’t. What am I supposed to say … listen to more showtunes? I mean, that’s ridiculous. And modern gay guys don’t actually listen to a lot of showtunes. There are a lot of rock gays, in New York anyway. There are a lot of little gay guys. I went to this thing Madonna was at and there’s all these kind of ninja gay boys – they’re really small – but I think they were her dancers. Then there’s this kind of rock club called The Electric Room and there’s always these little rock gay guys who wanna get in, and they do.
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What will surprise people most when they read your memoir, which is supposed to be out at the end of the year? That I’m pretty boring. (Laughs) Just that I’m pretty normal in some ways. In some ways I’m completely extraordinary, and in other ways I’m completely weird and eccentric. And in other ways I’m really normal. Last words for your gay fans? I love them. That’s about it. Chris Azzopardi is the editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBT wire service. Reach him via his website at www.chris-azzopardi.com.
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gaysaltlake.com | issue 222 | september, 2013
interview
Tough as Steel Olympia Dukakis on her new lesbian role – and why it’s made her feel less ‘rosy’ about gay rights BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI
When
Olympia Dukakis tells you about the time she cussed out a threatening cab caller, you know she was born to play Stella, a ballsy lesbian who takes her blind wife-to-be (played by Brenda Fricker) on a road trip in Cloudburst. This, of course, isn’t Dukakis’ first time taking on a tough female. With unforgettable roles in Steel Magnolias and Moonstruck, she’s been cutting through the bull for the bulk of her career. Dukakis did exactly that in our interview, too, when she derailed into a passionately heated rant on her frustration regarding the lack of distribution for the heartfelt dramedy Cloudburst, suggesting that maybe, when it comes to gay liberation, we still have a long way to go. You’re a hoot in Cloudburst, Olympia. Thank you. A “hoot” is good. My mother used to say that people were a hoot. It’s wonderful. I love it. Hoot! Do you know any lesbians like Stella? Like Stella? No, not quite that … out there. Not that much, no. She’s feisty. She doesn’t let people walk all over her. She’s blunt that way. Life has taught her that lesson. Marriage is obviously at the core of the film, because these are two women going on a road trip together to get married. Who never expected to get married! It never even occurred to them. It wasn’t something on their radar. Because most lesbians of that generation didn’t anticipate ever being able to legally marry in their lifetime. That’s the point! That’s the point about how it’s changing. That’s PHOTO: WOLFE VIDEO
the point of what it was and what it’s moving toward now. How are you feeling about the progress we’ve made to recognize gay marriage legally? That I feel good about. I can see it changing. But I’ll tell you what I don’t feel good about: This film cannot get distribution in this country. Yeah, sit with that for a little bit. Sit with that! Don’t get too rosy in your view of things. You can’t get this distributed in this country. What is the deal with that? Yeah, what is the deal with that? It played 10 weeks in Toronto. It’s going to be playing all over the world. Why can’t it get distributed? The DVD’s coming out and that’s why we’re doing all these interviews and everything, to let people know that it’s out there, especially the gay and lesbian world. I spoke with director Steven Soderbergh about this when his Liberace movie, Behind the Candelabra, premiered on HBO recently. He said Hollywood wouldn’t market his movie because they knew they were going to lose on investment. The only audience for it, they told him, was a gay audience; it wasn’t mainstream enough. Well, that’s what they say, but it’s not playing 10 weeks in Toronto because it’s only playing to a gay audience. I don’t know about Liberace, but that’s not true about Cloudburst. It’s playing 10 weeks in Toronto! There are other countries it’s playing in; it’s not just the gay and lesbian community [wanting to see it]. What are your feelings on the lack of distribution of the film, then? I wish I did understand. Sidney Kimmel Entertainment has the distribution rights. They sold it to Lifetime, and of course you know what Lifetime did with it. They played it initially at 11 at night and at 3 in the morn-
september, 2013 | issue 222 | gaysaltlake.com
ing, and they bleeped everything. Did the marriage of two gay people as a political statement play into your desire to take this role at all? It did, mostly because I have some gay friends. I sent [the script] to lesbians and they were very moved by it. I wanted to make sure that there was nothing that they found offensive. I didn’t, but I wanted to make sure that they didn’t. They were very moved by it and so eager for me to do it. And they were so happy that it was being done, because these two women are in their 70s, and of course their lives as two lesbians is very different from the lives of two lesbian partners who are 20 and 30 today. Their families rejected them, they had to hide, they had to pretend, and they had to do a lot of different things. Were there specific scenes you thought might be offensive to the lesbian community? No, I just wanted to make sure that they felt that the characters were delineated honestly. There wasn’t any particular scene. For example, I know everything about being Greek-American, and so I know when something doesn’t ring true, you know? And I wanted to know if things rang true for them, and they did, so I felt really supported by that. I thought, “What’s the point in doing this film if it’s not going to mean something to the people whose lives are being somewhat represented in it?” I have felt, myself, an outsider from the time I was young because of being first-generation Greek in neighborhoods that were dominated by Irish and German in Massachusetts. I know what that is. And the truth of the matter is, you end up having problems with being a Greek and problems with being an American. You kind of straddle that hyphen in the middle. So feeling like an outsider, I had my own version of that. Does that come into play at all when you’re playing a role like Stella? Yeah, it does. You know what it is, not to feel valued and to be rejected … and not for who you are or what you’ve done, but just because you happen to have a stamp on you that says Greek-American, or gay or lesbian or black or Latino or Asian and on and on and on. We human beings do such a job on each other. You’ve worked with director Thom Fitzgerald on The Event, 3 Needles and now this film. What is it about Thom and
his directing style that keeps you coming back? He can be trusted. When he tells me something, I don’t even ask anymore. If he says it, I do it. Yeah, he’s pretty damn good. Plus, he’s a terrific writer and he shoots a terrific film. All the locations were wonderful. We shot up in Halifax, Nova Scotia. An incredible place. I couldn’t get over it. I would just stare at those rock formations in the harbor and at the mountains. I would just sit there and stare at them and somebody said, “Well, we didn’t wanna disturb you; we knew you were thinking about the part.” I wasn’t thinking about the part. I was thinking about how these two rocks in the middle of the harbor looked like a mother seal and a baby seal! (Laughs) Here they thought you were deep in thought about your next take. I know. They thought I was being an artist. I was just being a tourist. The gay community has always been drawn to the strong female characters you’ve played. When did you first realize you had a gay following? I think it was with Tales of the City, wasn’t it? That’s when it happened. I started to get letters thanking me and people coming up to me on the street crying and wanting to tell me how much it meant to them. And I still get that, actually. What does it feel like receiving all that acknowledgement for that role? Of course at first I was very surprised, because it hadn’t occurred to me. I was just doing the best job I could. I wasn’t thinking about how I was representing any particular group, which was not true with Cloudburst. For Tales of the City, what was it like playing trans during that time, in the early ’90s? See, for me it was just a human being who had something in them that they had kept secret and silent and protected and who was now coming forward. I understand that. I had that. How do you reflect on working with Cher for Moonstruck? We were very sympathetic with each other. “Simpatico,” I think is the way she puts it. It was never a problem, never anything. It was easy. It was like we knew each other and we trusted each other without even thinking about it. Are you close with any of the gals from Steel Magnolias? Oh, not really. For a while Shirley [MacLaine] and I went back and forth. We’d see each other now and
ALLIES | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 39
then. I’ve gone to see her show; she came to see me in something. But that’s about it. How was the role in Cloudburst a new challenge for you? Well, the challenge was physical for me. To restrain my movements, to shape my gestures, the way I physically behaved – Thom was very insightful about that and very watchful. And he was very particular about how he wanted my hair. I looked at myself a couple of times and I thought, “My god, that’s a man. I look scary. That is a man up there.” How did you get in touch with Stella’s butch toughness? Thom was the one who really pushed me in that direction. I happen to be kind of rebellious myself, to be honest with you. I don’t have trouble being confrontational. I grew up in Lowell, Mass. and by the time I was 12 I had my own knife, so I was used to drawing lines and making sure nobody stepped over them – metaphorically, I’m talking. This is so hysterical. Yesterday a friend and I were trying to get a cab. So we go to this one cab and this guy and this woman were there before, so we turn around and we go look for another cab to come down the street. They were at the corner and we had moved into the middle of the block. All of a sudden I hear a voice saying, “There’s a line here! There’s a line here!” and I look over and they’re still not in the cab and he’s yelling about a line. I said, “Line? What line? I don’t see a line.” He just wanted me to go to the corner and wait behind him while he got the cab coming down the street. He starts coming toward me, threateningly, and I said to him, “What are you, gonna hit me, motherfucker? You wanna hit me? Is that what you wanna do?” He stopped, dead in his tracks. And this woman said to him, “That’s Olympia Dukakis!” And he backed off. He didn’t wanna get in trouble with an aging 82-year-old celebrity who’s screaming at him in the street. Well, you certainly have the willpower of Stella. And he knew that. Thom knows that about me. I mean, I’m very judicious about it. (Laughs) Did you learn any new vulgarities after doing this film? No, no, no, no. Well, you’re very fond of the “c” word in it. That I can’t take credit for. Thom wrote the script! (Laughs) But the finger gestures, I have to take responsibility for most of those. Chris Azzopardi is the editor of Q Syndicate at chris-azzopardi.com.
40 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | A&E
SPRING BREAKERS The intention of Harmony Korine’s unsettling spring break dramatization – as discussed during the disc’s interview with the director – was to create a surreal cinematic experience with the same hypnotically wormy sensation of a pop song. Something you play over and over in your head. Something you never forget. The entire film, then, is the hook, and there’s no shaking the drugging, boozing, hyper-violent debauchery these four girls gets mixed up in while vacationing. Not only are images and sounds looped for mind takeover effect, but also, Spring Breakers is ridiculous. Highly and awesomely amusing, but ridiculous. James Franco totally makes the movie as a delusional gangsta named Alien; he’s super proud of all his sheeyit and considers Britney Spears one of the greatest pop stars to walk the earth (of course he does). His scene at the piano, where he serenades his chickadees with “somethin’ inspirin’” (see: Spears’ “Everytime”), is classic kitsch. Extras include a three-part doc, outtakes from the priceless Franco monologue and a single deleted scene in which the girls make a chubby nerd get naked at gunpoint.
42 The relevance of famed ball player Jackie Robinson rings true today as prejudicial injustices persist. But if there’s anything to gain from Robinson’s story of breaking color barriers, it’s this: hope. The handsomely filmed biopic 42 doesn’t go deep enough (we’re left with a perfect heroic figure that’s just too perfect), but it’s a feel-good film that’s hard not to feel good about whenever Robinson (newcomer Chadwick Boseman) uses his badass baseball playing to silence the haters and close racial gaps. Boseman hits a homerun in the role, displaying the tenaciousness and believability of a baseball great. But as the gruff Brooklyn Dodgers exec Branch Rickey, Harrison Ford plays too close to sports-drama cliché. Also: Look out for Grey’s Anatomy gay T.R. Knight as the team’s publicist. 42 includes a couple short making-ofs – one on the green screen used to create the baseball field – and how Jackie
screen queen
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Robinson helped integrate not just baseball, but the world.
MUD For all the obvious Mark Twain-ness of Mud, director Jeff Nichols’ comingof-age triumph stands on its own as a poignant piece of literary cinema. Ellis (standout Tye Sheridan) and his buddy Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) discover a fugitive, Mud (Matthew McConaughey, continuing his acting hot streak), living in a boat hung up in the trees. Longtime bayou dweller Tom Blankenship (Sam Shepard) cautions the teens about the runaway, telling them to keep their distance, but Ellis does just the opposite. In the midst of his parents’ separation (Sarah Paulson plays the mother), Ellis finds a silver lining in Mud’s romanticized version of love – the happy ending he wants not just for Mud, but also for himself – and assists in reuniting him with his true love (Reese Witherspoon). After Nichols’ frantic modern-day allegory Take Shelter, the first-rate filmmaker demonstrates no sign of waning with Mud. It’s a great American masterpiece. Nichols discusses his personal relationship with the film during the extras, which also includes a feature on the Arkansas shoot.
ALSO OUT THE ICE STORM A ’90s pinnacle, timeless suburban drama The Ice Storm – debuting on Criterion Blu-ray – was one of Oscar-winning filmmaker Ang Lee’s first motion-picture triumphs. Before award champs Brokeback Mountain and Life of Pi, Lee directed a distinguished ensemble of established Hollywood A-listers (Sigourney Weaver, Kevin Kline and Joan Allen) and young wannabes (Tobey Maguire, Katie Holmes, Christina Ricci and Elijah Wood) in this rich, moving and darkly comical story of escapism set during the early Nixon-era ’70s. Political turmoil looms over connection seekers, where people have affairs with their neighbors and adolescents experiment. Lee’s commentary from the 2007 DVD is included, along with cast interviews and a chat with novelist Rick Moody.
THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES In Derek Cianfrance’s ambitious follow-up to Blue Valentine, it’s not just Ryan Gosling’s bare chest causing those heart palpitations. A harrowing narrative spanning 15 years, it’s a tense sketch of fathers, sons and their unbreakable bonds, where choices are made and unfavorable consequences result. Gosling, a low-income dad who robs banks to provide for his kid, continues to forge complicated roles and excel at them; Bradley Cooper, as a cop, makes you forget The Hangover Part III. It’s a gripping, emotionally cogent saga slighting, unfortunately, some of the nuance that made Valentine the better film. The extras: 10 minutes of bonus scenes, a director commentary and a brief look behind the scenes.
STOKER A mood movie, Stoker isn’t so much about plot – there’s not much of one – as it is about feeling. And fine, because South Korean director Park Chan-wook effectively captures the feverish eeriness of a family’s bizarre dynamic when an “uncle” visits with unclear motives and a sensual desire for his shy niece. Matthew Goode, known best as Colin Firth’s lover in A Single Man, is wickedly potent as the enigmatic Charles, whose lurid relationship with India (Mia Wasikowska of The Kids Are All Right haunts in the role) becomes something almost incestuous (their sexually charged duet at the piano will creep you the hell out). Her mother (Nicole Kidman) is stuck in the middle. It’s an intoxicatingly and stylishly trippy art piece.
THE CALL Until this Halle Berry potboiler goofily derails into the same twisted horror of The Silence of the Lambs, it actually maintains enough of its own nail-biting chills to keep from being just another girl-in-peril rehash. Q
september, 2013 | issue 222 | gaysaltlake.com
hear me out
A&E | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 41
Christian Allred Design LET ME HELP YOU BRING SOME
THE CIVIL WARS, THE CIVIL WARS
BACKSTREET BOYS, IN A WORLD LIKE THIS
Nitty-gritty details are few concerning the highly publicized drama between The Civil Wars twosome Joy Williams and John Paul White, but the fallout was at least intense enough to cause a tour cancellation, talk of a possible breakup and this album: a gothic-dark speculative set of neo-folk songs strewn with wounded hearts, religious undertones and the looming sense that this won’t end well. And if it doesn’t, if the only good that comes of their personal turmoil is this, then at least they can be remembered for breakup songs so good Adele is probably pissed they’re not on her next album. “The One that Got Away” aptly turns that cliché on its head; swelling with red-hot intensity at the chorus and then closing with a cacophony of telling guitar rips, it emotes post-split bitterness and regret. Williams takes lead on most of the tunes, with White shadowing her vocals – they make harmonious heaven on said single – or stepping in to magnify the power of them. “Dust to Dust” is raw and gut-wrenching with just Williams alone, but that moodiness takes on a new, more sorrowful life when White tiptoes in; the same goes for “Eavesdrop,” a beauty built on Coldplay-mounting guitars that eerily – and sadly – parallels the duo’s personal lives: “Don’t say that it’s over / Oh no, say it ain’t so.” Because after this triumph, that would truly be devastating. Grade: A-
Backstreet’s back … but is it really all right? It’s not, unless you’re still holding onto the nostalgia of them as boys. Then, they could get away with a certain degree of cheese and artistic growing pains. But nearly two decades later, the original quintet – Kevin Richardson returns! – are still all wink-wink with the same shameless set of lovey-dovey pop and fifthgrade-journal outpourings. The worst offenders are “One Phone Call,” not even good enough to sound like a Lonely Island parody of the Backstreet Boys, and “Feels Like Home,” which takes you around the world – name-dropping just about every major city – on the dullest expedition of your life. The Max Martin-produced title track has charm (and its video celebrates marriage equality), but aside from the acoustic-y verses, this is the same bland boy-band template these guys have been hawking their whole career. “Breathe,” however, is a harmony pleaser, and “Trust Me” – a Jason Mraz move that could benefit future outings – delights with its summery Starbucks vibe. Even “Soldier,” despite being innocuously cookie-cutter, decently works those stacked percussions into an earwormy hook. Hey, it’s the Backstreet Boys; no one’s expecting miracles. Grade: C Q Chris Azzopardi is the editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBT wire service. Reach him via his website at www. chris-azzopardi.com.
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‘Somm’ captivates viewers with wine evaluation BY DAVID WHITE
“Wine one is a white wine. It’s clear, star-bright, and there’s no evidence of gas or flocculation.” Some movies rely on grand battles and epic fight scenes to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Somm, a new documentary from Jason Wise about three students aiming to join the Court of Master Sommeliers, attempts to captivate viewers with wine evaluation. And it succeeds. When Ian Cauble, a master sommelier candidate, assesses an Australian Riesling early on in Somm, it’s impossible to look away. Before even tasting what’s in his glass, Cauble detects notes of “lime candy, lime zest, crushed apples, under-ripe mangos, under-ripe melon, and melon skin.” As he describes the wine, Cauble speaks with the conviction of a preacher and as quickly as an auctioneer. The florid jargon comes out at a mile a minute — and it’s riveting. During the Court’s final exam — a two-day test divided into three sections — each sommelier is expected to identify six unlabeled glasses of wine by variety, country, district and appellation of origin, and vintage, all within 25 minutes. Candidates must also pass a verbal theory examination that tests their knowledge of virtually everything in the world of wine, from the regions and villages where grapes are grown to the reasons why some vintages are better than others. Finally, candidates must impress existing master sommeliers with their service skills. They’re judged on their ability to open and decant wine, speak eloquently about cigars, spirits, and wine-and-food pairing, and even resolve conflicts with unruly guests. Virtually everyone fails. Fewer than 10 percent of master sommelier candidates pass the final exam. Since its inception in 1977, just 202 professionals worldwide have earned the title of master sommelier. Many exceptionally talented sommeliers never pass. At the most recent seating — held in Dallas in July — just one of 70 candidates succeeded. It’s no wonder the exam is often described as “the hardest test you’ve never heard of.” The three men at the center of Somm are
tremendously likeable. Unlike the snooty wine stewards of yesteryear, Ian Cauble, Brian McClintic, and Dustin Wilson are young, funny, and approachable. If anything, they’re too bro-ish — the friends seem to split their time between studying for the exam and trash talking each other. But it’s refreshing to see sommeliers who would be just as comfortable shotgunning beers in a frat house as evaluating high-end Bordeaux at a French chateau. It’s no wonder why Brian’s wife, Kristin, describes the three men as “guys in a locker room, with wine bottles.” The supporting characters are just as endearing. DLynn Proctor, another exam candidate, isn’t just the best-dressed man in the film — he’s also the most confident. But that confidence evaporates on exam day when he leaves the hotel to find a doctor who will prescribe a steroid to clear his nasal passages. Fred Dame, America’s first master sommelier, seems cantankerous at first. But it quickly becomes obvious that he’s rooting for every candidate to pass. Reggie Narito, another master sommelier, is cool and calm as he mentors the students — even when it seems as if Ian Cauble is on the edge of a nervous breakdown. The documentary isn’t without flaws. Since the men are presented as jocks, the women are relegated to supportive spouses; they do little but clean the “spit buckets.” Casual consumers might be left wondering if wine appreciation requires so much intensity — the film does nothing to demystify wine. Finally, the film relies too heavily on unnecessary flourishes — like shattering wine glasses — to transition from scene to scene. But this is Jason Wise’s first feature film, so these shortcomings can be forgiven. Early in Somm, Reggie Narito confesses that he’s only cried on a handful of occasions: when his parents died; when his children were born; and when he passed the master sommelier exam. At first, the admission seems ludicrous. But by the end of Somm, even viewers will cry when test results are announced. Somm is still playing in a handful of theaters, but it’s easiest found through iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, and Comcast On Demand. It’ll be available on DVD on September 3. David White is the founder and editor of Terroirist.com, which was named “Best Overall Wine Blog” at the 2013 Wine Blog Awards. His columns are housed at Palate Press: The Online Wine Magazine (PalatePress.com).
september, 2013 | issue 222 | gaysaltlake.com
FOOD&DRINK | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 43
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44 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | FOOD&DRINK
gaysaltlake.com | issue 222 | september, 2013
Drag Not a Drag with Brass Monkeys
The Labor Day drag party in Fire Island Pines is either a hilarious gender circus or a reason to blow some queen’s brains out. Drag is fabulous. It’s the sweating, stinking, drunken guys in wigs who brazenly stick their tongues in your ears that’s either a kick or a nightmare. It’s a party for Pines boys who’ve discovered the glamour girl within. I wasn’t about to reveal mine in public. I’d make an incredibly ugly Nancy Sinatra. (I’d call to mind a blonde Cynthia Ozick in white leather boots.) Dan wouldn’t do it, either. He’d just look like Dan in a dress. But our housemates all brought suitcases stuffed with secrets; nobody named their inner woman until the big reveal. Jack Fogg came downstairs first. Sammy had put him up to doing it. Jack was clearly miserable — he was wearing a burqa. (His eyes said it all.) Sammy followed in a luxurious purple sari and a bhindi on her forehead. “So what drink are you sending us off with, dude?” Sammy asked. “Miss JackieAnne Taliban here needs a drink.” JackieAnne was fussing with her crotch. “There’s a pitcher of Brass Monkeys in the fridge,” I said. “What’s a Brass Monkey?” Ms. Taliban asked through the slit in her headpiece. “Rum, vodka and orange juice. The color resembles buffed old brass.” “Make mine a double,” the Islamic fundamentalist begged her Hindu girlfriend. Frankie and Ian then made their entrance. I’d expected more, but all they did was put on long blonde wigs and matching white tennis outfits. Ian immediately sensed my disappointment. “Don’t you know who we are?” he asked in disbelief. I shook my head no. “We’re the Doublemint Twins,” they sang out in unison. “Brava, divas!” Dan said, applauding. “It’s delicious and really strong!” The non sequitur came out of the burqa’s mouth slit. Sari Sammy agreed. “Seriously, dude!” she said. “I’ll be on my ass before we get to the party.” Then Sal and Sean came down, reminiscent of grizzled, gray Old Year and adorable Baby New Year. Sal went for distinctly middle-aged laughs: he was “Edie Gourmet.” With his face framed by Edie’s signature hairdo, Sal actually looked like her in a most disturbing way. Of course this Edie was carrying a copy of M. F. K.
september, 2013 | issue 222 | gaysaltlake.com
Fisher’s “The Art of Eating” and had a can of duck confit serving as a hat. Being brilliant himself, Sal persistently overestimates the average gay man’s wit. My unspoken prediction: nobody at the party would get the joke. I was right. It was Sean who stole the show, not only at our place but at the party, too. With his actor’s makeup skills, a copper-colored wig and naturally voluptuous body, he was an eerily perfect Beyonce. When he grabbed the burqa woman by the waist, yanked her close and began singing “We’re your dream girls” in precisely the voice of Ms. Knowles, it was way too much, and I shot some of my Brass Monkey out my nose.
THE BRASS MONKEY 1 part dark rum 1 part Absolut 2 parts orange juice Pour the ingredients into a shaker filled with ice, and after shaking it just enough to chill it, pour the contents into the pre-chilled glass of your choice. This drink shouldn’t be served on the rocks. Note: the original (some might call it real) recipe contains much more OJ. It’s boring. My version is a lot more fun. Q
FOOD & DRINK | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 45
46 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | COMICS
gaysaltlake.com | issue 222 | september, 2013
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:
Some say boycott
NASTY HOC AIL ___________
cryptogram JANE’S WORLD
A CRYPTOGRAM IS A PUZZLE WHERE ONE LETTER IN THE PUZZLE IS SUBSTITUTED WITH ANOTHER. FOR EXAMPLE: ECOLVGNCYXW YCR EQYIIRZNBZN YZU PSZ! HAS THE SOLUTION: CRYPTOGRAMS ARE CHALLENGING AND FUN! IN THE ABOVE EXAMPLE ES ARE ALL REPLACED BY CS. THE PUZZLE IS SOLVED BY RECOGNIZING LETTER PATTERNS IN WORDS AND SUCCESSIVELY SUBSTITUTING LETTERS UNTIL THE SOLUTION IS REACHED. THIS WEEK’S HINT: L = M
Theme: The Threat of Gay Marriage:
CB ZELW XMTZ C’L RELSVWHWVT WGHAMEAFCBMAT, MBF CB EHIWA XMTZ C’L RELSVWHWVT XWCAF MBF WRRWBHACR. MBF CB EHIWA XMTZ C’L AWMVVT BEALMV. __ ____ ____ _’_ __________ _____________, ___ __ _____ ____ _’_ __________ _____ ___ _________. ___ __ _____ ____ _’_ ______ ______. PUZZLE ANSWERS ON PAGE 54
september, 2013 | issue 222 | gaysaltlake.com
COMICS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 47
48 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | A&E
Each Sudoku puzzle has a unique solution which can be reached logically without guessing. Enter digits 1 through 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit, as must each column and each 3x3 square. Qdoku is actually five separate, but connected, Sudoku puzzles.
Q doku
Level: Hard Hard
5 4 7
gaysaltlake.com | issue 222 | september, 2013
4 6 5
3
6 4 9 3 2 4 8 2
7 2 8 1 5 2 9 6 5 1 9 4 7 1 3
5
4
8 7 5
6 7
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1 4 2 5 6 7 9 3 6
9
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September 15 Free Kids Craft Day 6Fun activity for kids 6Great live music 6Enjoy the International Peace Gardens September 22 Animal Appreciation Day 6Meet spokesdogs Dacy & Katie 6Utah Animal Adoption Center 6Many more animal organizations
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5 8 6 2
ARIES March 20–April 19 Even the strongest branch can feel stress when too much fruit has grown on it. This month, many obligations will weigh heavy on you. These obligations are like fruit! Don’t be afraid to put a few aside or share them with others. You have plenty for yourself…for better or worse. TAURUS Apr 20–May 20 Know your limits, but don’t be afraid of crossing imaginary lines. Take more for yourself and indulge in recreational activities. Have extra dessert or treat yourself to a favorite film. A friend may want to join you, which will increase the pleasure. GEMINI May 21–June 20 Adventure awaits as you try to prolong summer activities. A fling or deep romance will could become more intense this month. Connections with good friends will be strengthened by your fun spirit. Keep both eyes on the prizes and snatch them up before they’re gone. CANCER June 21–July 22 It may feel as if you’re dancing alone this month but that’s okay. You need time for yourself in order to reset and replenish your thoughts. Big things are in store for you, but you must prepare for taking on the responsibilities that come with them. Don’t be afraid to put yourself in a good place and you’ll deserve it even more. LEO July 23–August 22 A mirror reflects your face, but you choose the image you want to see. The best of yourself is always visible, yet hidden behind your self-doubts. Have confidence. Great opportunity could present itself in your professional career – get a firm grip on it when it arrives. VIRGO August 23–Sep. 22 Be delicate as a flower when dealing with others. You have a tendency to be bold, Virgo, and it often suits you well. However, take a more passive approach when dealing with others this month. You may actually enjoy exploring your submissive side for a change.
LIBRA Sept 23–October 22 The past is a blueprint of what the present can be. Use it to show what works and what doesn’t in your quest for a better life. A work associate or boss may be steering you in the wrong direction. Don’t dismiss their idea’s immediately, but be cautious when inserting them into your agenda. SCORPIO Oct. 23–Nov. 21 Various interests will seem overwhelming to you this month, Scorpio. Don’t try to do it all or you’ll be running on empty. Keep life simple and get plenty of rest: you’ll to need energy for potentially hard times ahead. Less is more when dealing with a family member. SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22– December 20. Mystery has never been your forte, but you’ll find plenty of it this month. Investigate wisely and don’t miss the things right in front of your face. Look at the surface, then dig a little deeper if necessary, especially with financial matters. If you’re going to play, be ready to pay. CAPRICORN Dec. 21– Jan. 19 How you deal with a relationship could have you questioning yourself afterward. Don’t lose heart. You always do what feels right. Regardless of the outcome, you have to live with it. Satisfaction is a matter of perspective. Doing what feels good should be your guide. AQUARIUS Jan. 20–Feb. 18 Fearing the worst is often your way, yet tempting fate is something you do often. Test your limits and try new things but pull back if things get a little rough. Safe is always preferable to sorry, especially when others are involved. Many victories can be enjoyed with moderation. PISCES Feb 19–Mar 19 What matters most is a sense of peace and assurance in all your endeavors. Don’t worry if things get a little messy; it comes with the territory. All you need to worry about is achieving the goals at hand. Take heart that you are doing the right thing. Q
CROSSWORD | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 49
september, 2013 | issue 222
ONLY AT
102 S 600 WEST SALT LAKE CITY 801-531-8727 THETRAPPSLC.COM
Radical Radcliff ACROSS 1 It may bite your shorts 5 Be intense like a queen 10 Not straight 14 “Take ___ leave it!” 15 Caesar, for one 16 Queens stadium 17 Start of a quote from Daniel Radcliffe 20 ___ Sec. 21 Ballet follower 22 Shed tears 23 With tutti-frutti, e.g. 25 Pairs of grooms walk them 27 “___ Be” 28 River rapids 31 “We ___ Family” 32 Org. for narcs 34 Saint, in Rio 35 The A in GLARP 36 More of the quote 39 Some hosp. workers 41 Born, in gay Paree 42 Letters in some church names 43 Ice in Ulm 44 Factions that sound like fornication? 46 Spin doctor
50 Lesbian couple on a cake 52 In favor of Chaz? 54 The African Queen author 55 Deli subs 57 Theology subj. 58 End of the quote 61 Subway Series team 62 Trump of old 63 Early AIDS play 64 Oral attention getter 65 Think fit 66 What a small shooter shoots off
DOWN 1 Prayer book, to Father Mychal Judge 2 Peter who played Lawrence 3 Rum Tum Tugger, for one 4 Bygone Eur. realm 5 Austrian analyst 6 Unties 7 REM gear 8 International ___ 9 Uey from WSW 10 Grate stuff 11 Rear-ender injury 12 Many summer residents of Fire Island 13 Use your mouth
18 For now 19 Boob, to a Brit 24 King with the golden touch 25 It comes with a lei 26 D. Feinstein title 29 To date, but not to go out with 30 Car assemblers’ org. 33 Endora portrayer 35 Like sourballs 36 Perceptions 37 NRC forerunner 38 Make obligatory 39 Neighbor of Isr. 40 Jolly Roger fliers 44 James Baldwin’s The Evidence of Things Not ___ 45 Popped (up) 47 Having been dumped, e.g. 48 Lack of zip 49 As a surprising fact 51 Franklin, religiously 53 “Laugh-In” cohost 55 Sweet spot 56 Morales of Resurrection Blvd. 58 Shakespeare’s Puck, e.g. 59 Tease 60 Type of sucker ANSWERS ON PAGE 62
LABOR DAY BBQs SUNDAY & MONDAY 4PM
SUNDAY BBQs ON THE DECK 4PM
KARAOKE MONDAYS DJ “D” and/or DJ MATT FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS STARTING AT 9PM
TWITTER: THETRAPPSLC TEXT “FOLLOW THETRAPPSLC” TO 40404 FOR SMS UPDATES
50 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | ADVICE
gaysaltlake.com | issue 222 | september, 2013
ask mr. manners
Join Us for Brunch!
A Return to The Table BY ROCK MAGEN
With National Coming
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Day Oct 13, 2013
“Coming Out for Equality”
Sheraton Hotel 150 West 500 South Salt Lake City
10:00am to 12pm Register Online: UtahPrideCenter.org
summer in full swing, we each have attended our fair share of events that boasted disposable plates, but let us not forget that all dinnerware is not use once and discard. Some of the most lavish events I have ever attended were summer garden parties, and it is always a best practice to be reminded of how to function at a table that does not have red Solo cups. Starting at the beginning, observe your surroundings and evaluate the table settings. I am sure that we are all aware of the adage stating that you “start from the outside and working our way in” with regards to which utensil to use, but I say “observe the surroundings” because the number of utensils tends to reflect the number of courses. If it is a standard setting of two spoons and two forks, you should not expect much more than soup, salad, entree, and dessert. However, when multiple utensils get involved, then you really need to know what you are doing, and full on utensil warfare is a whole separate subject. I would hope that we are all civilized enough to know how to conduct ourselves at the table, so I will not reinforce elementary techniques. Fork and knife technique will keep your table demeanor smooth, so remember to make sure you are using your fork with your dominant hand. To cut property, hold your fork upside down with your non-dominant hand and your knife with your dominant hand. As soon as you have finished cutting, place the knife back on the right side of
the plate or across the top of the plate, and switch your fork back to your dominant hand to eat. As you finish the entree, place your knife across the top of the plate, with the blade facing you. Next place your fork and other use utensils closer to the middle of the plate, tines down and parallel to the knife. A note on the use of a napkin: I usually being by placing the napkin in my lap, the The number exception of utensils being fine dining tends to where the reflect the host may number of actually place it in courses. your lap for you. It will feel presumptuous, but in this one case just enjoy being waited on and imagine you are part of Downton Abbey. Make sure that you don’t allow for the napkin to become dormant through dinner, use it to wipe your mouth periodically and also keep your seat reserved if you get up for one reason or another. If you do leave the table, place the napkin in your chair. This prevents any zealous wait staff member from clearing your table setting. All parties are not created equal, and your typical backyard BBQ is probably not the place to have a full table setting. However, you never know when the occasion may shift and you may have to be on guard and ready to impress. Until then, enjoy your red Solo cup and drink in those lasting memories of summer. Q
september, 2013 | issue 222 | gaysaltlake.com
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SCENE | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 51
52 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | A&E
gaysaltlake.com | issue 222 | september, 2013
Porn site claims attack by LDS Church servers The owner of the pornographic site, MormonBoyz.com, says their site was under a denial of service attack late Sunday night and that the IP addresses of the servers being used to implement the attack were traced to being housed in a ZIP code that only contains the blocks of Temple Square, the LDS Church Office Building and the LDS Conference Center. Site owner Paul Jackson released the following statement on the site, on his Facebook wall and in a message to QSaltLake: We are experiencing a temporary problem that has slowed down our site. It will be fixed soon. We were shocked – but not surprised – to learn that our site has been experience an attack originating from the home of the LDS Church. Today, our server has been directly and repeatedly attacked. The attacks appear to originate directly out of downtown Salt Lake City. According to our server admin, the principle IP addresses involved are associated with the 84150 zipcode -- the few city blocks owned by the LDS church. That the Mormon Church or someone associated with it would take such drastic and dramatic action to repress our treasured American freedom of speech is more than just upsetting. We want you to know that we do not store user data on our server. Our member’s billing and personal data is not
in anyway threatened. Our billing company securely manages all personal data on their own servers, which are highly secure. Their servers have not in anyway been threatened. There has been no security breach of personal information. At this moment, we are implementing protective measures to prevent future attacks and the site will soon be running at near optimal levels once again. Please be patient with us as we deal with this issue. Rest assured, we will not be bullied or threatened. Mormonboyz.com is here to stay! “We are currently investigating the issue and will work with law enforcement,” Jackson said. MormonBoyz.com is a site claiming to “showcase beautiful young Mormon boys.” “These guys are every bit as sexual as other boys their age, but are also wonderfully innocent and wholesome. And actually, you might even say that because of their deprivation, these boys are pent up and starved for release, and that makes them even more sexual,” according to the site. The site uses names such as “Elder Nelson” and “Elder Pratt” and often shows men wearing Mormon temple garments during sexual encounters. Jackson, who grew up in Sandy, Utah, and went to LDS Church-owned Brigham Young University, now resides in Los Angeles. LDS officials have not yet responded to QSaltLake’s request for a statement. Q
july, 2013 | issue 220
SEX | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 53
54 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | FINAL WORD
gaysaltlake.com | issue 222 | september, 2013
the perils of petunia pap smear
The tale of a wig over troubled waters BY PETUNIA PAP SMEAR
The road
to Club TryAngles Underwear Night is fraught with danger and excitement. The third Saturday of each month is the highlight of my social calendar. I spend days and weeks carefully planning what to wear to such an auspicious event. Many logistical and technical difficulties must be taken into consideration. For instance, in order for me to be able to perform beefcakequality inspections, my sleeves and jewelry must not impede the smooth and efficient withdrawal and usage of the testicle tester. And I have discovered that it’s important to have sufficient full-frontal wattage in my Breasticles so as to give this lecherous old queen good illumination on the studly packages being inspected. One Saturday morning, I was excitedly puttering around the house, testing batteries and lining up glitter in anxious anticipation when my work suddenly called and assigned me to make a delivery to far-flung Beowawee. Nevada. I hurriedly calculated that if I coordinated everything perfectly, and did not make any unnecessary stops along the way, I could
PUZZLE SOLUTIONS
stash my club-wear ensemble at work, fulfill the requirements to retain my employment, get dressed for success in the restroom at work, and still make it in time for my monthly quota of debauchery. My plan was working like clockwork. I had successfully made my delivery and I was speeding back across the Salt Flats toward my glittery plan. Just as I was passing a rest area in the middle of the Salt Flats, I was beginning to feel the need to “Drop A Biscuit In The Basket,” as it were, but in my haste to make it to the party on time, I decided to hold it until I got to work. With each advancing mile, the urgency of “Backing The Big Brown Motorhome Out Of The Garage” became more and more pronounced. Still confident in my ability to resist the pressure to “Clear Out Some Inventory,” I sped onward. As I passed the Grantsville exit, I increased my speed when I experienced a nauseating urge to “Pave The Hershey Highway.” Perspiration began to bead on my forehead. With a little wiggling in my seat, I was able to keep going. Finally, I arrived at work. I was relieved to find myself alone and that I could get dressed for the party
Cryptogram: In some ways I’m completely extraordinary, and in other ways I’m completely weird and eccentric. And in other ways I’m really normal. 4 6 2 7 5 3 8 9 1 9 8 7 4 2 3 6 5 1
7 1 9 2 6 8 3 4 5 5 1 6 7 8 9 4 3 2
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8 3 4 1 2 6 5 7 9 7 6 9 3 5 2 8 1 4
2 5 6 4 7 9 1 8 3 1 4 8 9 7 6 5 2 3
Anagram: STOLICHNAYA
in peace and solitude. With the speed of a BYU coed chasing an engagement ring hidden in a twinkie, I grabbed my makeup, breasticles and crinoline and raced into the restroom. Greatly relieved after “Committing Myself To The Dumpatorium,” but still pressed for time, I distractedly flushed and quickly proceeded to apply a pound of glitter to my upper lip. As I was placing a battery pack inside my left boob, I distractedly glanced over at the toilet, and to my dismay “My Poop Was Playing Peek-A-Boo” with me out of the “Porcelain Throne.” Annoyed, I reached over and flushed again while continuing to strap batteries to my bra. I glanced over at the toilet to check the progression of the flush and to say “A Final Goodbye to Mr. Brown” when to my horror, several things happened in quick succession. The apparently larger than normal “Lincoln Log” had lodged itself firmly in the drain, not allowing the water to flow, the water had reached the top of the bowl and had begun to overflow onto the floor and was quickly nearing my best beehive wig. Panicstricken that I would get my stocking feet wet, thus exposing me to the very distinct possibility of electrocution from my now electrified Breasticle, I grabbed my hair and retreated to the hallway. I contemplated just walking away and leaving “The Sewer Pickle” and resulting flood for someone else to deal with, but then I realized that a quick glance at the work schedule anyone could easily identify who had been in the building
and caused the mess. So there I was, with sweat beginning to run into my glitter mustache, in my panties and bra, with one blinking Breasticle, and wearing one shoe, running around work searching for a plunger to say “A Final Goodbye to Mr. Brown.” After much searching and many swear words, I determined that there was no plunger to be had. I determined I needed to find some tool with which I could break up the “Big Brown Submarine” and send it to join the rest of the “Pioneer Poop,” lying at the bottom of the Great Salt Lake. While running around the garage at work, still in my panties and bra, in rapid succession I contemplated using a broom handle, a windshield scraper, a ruler, and a squeegee but then I recoiled at the thought of anyone using them ever again. Finally I came upon a plastic picnic knife, while less than perfect, at least it could be disposed of. Holding the very tip of the handle with one hand and my blinking boob in the other, I reached into the water and after several adept slicing motions, waged a successful “Battle with Turdzilla,” dissecting it down to size. After scouring my hands like a surgeon, I finished getting dressed and made it to the party. As always, these events leave us with several burning eternal questions: 1. Is “Officer, I had to, I had to go Boom Boom” a sufficient excuse to avoid a speeding ticket? 2. If I sanitized the tool, would I need to feel guilty when someone else used it later? 3. Should I develop a “SaniFlush” scented perfume? 4. Does this mean that I am truly a size-queen of all things? 5. Does Lee Press On Nails sell a poop-resistant fingernail? These and other important questions to be answered in future chapters of: The Perils of Petunia Pap Smear. Q
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9 2 1 5 4 3 7 8 6 8 6 5 2 9 7 1 4 3
5 8 6 7 2 9 4 1 3 2 3 1 5 8 4 6 7 9
september, 2013 | issue 222 | gaysaltlake.com
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