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UTAH’S GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND ALLY
January 2016 Issue 251
PERSONS OF THE YEAR
LDS LEADERS Q GUIDE TO SUNDANCE • YEAR IN REVIEW • LOSING MY RELIGION • HIV IS STILL A THING • COMICS
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NEWS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 9
january 2016 | issue 251 | gaysaltlake.com
NBA gets gayer Bill Kennedy, a top NBA referee, has come out as gay after Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo uttered a homophobic slur during a game. “I am proud to be an NBA referee and I am proud to be a gay man,” Bill Kennedy told Yahoo Sports . Kennedy worked San Antonio‘s home game against Utah Dec. 14, receiving applause from fans when he was shown on the video board with the officiating crew and his name was announced Kennedy said he hopes that he can join other LGBT athletes in sending a message to young men and women in sports that, “You must allow no one to make you feel ashamed of whom you are.”
Supremes to Alabama, again, “No you don’t” The U.S. Supreme Court has sided with an Alabama lesbian who wants to see her adopted children after her relationship with the birth mother ended, blocking an Alabama court’s order that declared the adoption invalid. The case involves two women and the three children they raised until the breakup. The birth mother is contesting regular visits between the children and her former partner. Alabama’s highest court refused to recognize the other woman as a parent, saying the adoption they obtained in Georgia was not valid.
Confessional sin: Priest and rent boy Father Peter Miqueli is being accused of stealing more than $1 million in donations in order to pay for sex and support his ‘rent boy lover.’ The lawsuit was filed by furious parishioners, who accused Miqueli of using cash
news The top things you should know happened last month (Full stories at gaysaltlake.com.) from donations to continue his alleged S&M romance with Keith Crist, whom he apparently hired to work as the parishes’ new business manager.
Hmm, gays for Trump LGBT blogger, blogger and media personality Kyle Kittleson, announced, “After much debate, I’ve decided I need to come clean about something ... I’m tired of living a lie, so here it is: I’m gay and I support Trump. And not in an ironic way either. Like, I really support him.” Kittleson explained he likes Trump’s views on infrastructure, his thoughts on immigration and even his stance on LGBTQ equality. He asserts that Trump supported equal rights long before Hillary Clinton. “In an interview with The Advocate 15 years ago, Trump supported equal rights and equal protections for gays and gay couples” Kittleson says in the video. “Granted, he didn’t want it to be called “marriage” but he did advocate for unions with legal, equal rights.”
City attorney sends anti-LGBT referendum back to drawing board Opponents of Anchorage‘s LGBTQ nondiscrimination law must rewrite their ballot language seeking repeal of the law passed by the city. While approving the referendum effort, city attorneys rejected language for the ballot provision. City Attorney Bill Falsey wrote that the language didn’t accurately describe what the law does and what a “Yes” on the referendum would mean. He and other attorneys suggested alternative language for the initiative which made it clear a “Yes” vote was to approve discrimination in jobs, housing and public accommodation. City Clerk Barbara Jones says petitioners have to sign off on the new language in order to begin collecting signatures. Initiative proponent Assemblywoman Amy Demboski said the repeal language has been “reworded in such a fashion to manipulate the electorate.”
Former boy band star hearts Hilary Ricky Martin has launched a new group for LGBT supporters of Hillary Clinton. The effort was organized by the Clinton Campaign. In an email sent out Dec. 12, the Latino pop star asked LGBT voters and their allies to join LGBT for Hillary by donating at least $1 towards her campaign. ‘Hillary has been a fighter for us for years, from supporting equal workplace legislation to working for equal rights for trans Americans,” he claimed. “Now we’re standing with her.” Martin’s statement referenced his Puerto Rican heritage and his fatherhood, “I never dreamed that I would one day be a proud, out gay father of two beautiful little boys, in a country where marriage equality was the law of the land.”
10 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | NEWS
gaysaltlake.com | issue 251 | december 2015
Biskupski meets with LDS Church leaders Mayor-elect Jackie Biskupski met with LDS Church leaders for the first time to discuss local issues such as homelessness and air quality. Not on the agenda was a discussion on the church’s new policies regarding same-sex couples and their children. Biskupski, who defeated incumbent mayor Ralph Becker in November, met briefly with Elder D. Todd Christofferson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé. Biskupski said she appreciated meeting with the leaders and their willingness to discuss Salt Lake City’s future. “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints plays a key role in Salt Lake City’s history and in our city’s future and I look forward to continuing a relationship of open dialogue,” she said in a state-
ment. “Elder Christofferson and Bishop Caussé were very interested in discussing ways the church can help on issues of homelessness, air quality, and watershed issues. We are all looking forward to a much more collaborative effort on long-term economic development opportunities for Salt Lake City. Today we began meaningful conversations that will continue at all levels for the next four years.” Biskupski drafted a personal letter concerning the new policies rather than discuss the matter in an official way. “At the end of the meeting Elder Christofferson also graciously accepted a letter which conveyed my feelings on the church’s new policy regarding families headed by same-sex couples and their children. As a leader in Salt Lake City, and after hearing from many individuals, I felt it was my responsibility to use
Mayor Ralph Becker shakes hands with Mayor-elect Jackie Biskupski as they met for a transition discussion. “There is no question that Mayor Becker loves our great city and I am grateful for his cooperation and kindness during this process,” Biskupski posted on her Facebook page.
this opportunity to express the community’s concerns in a respectful manner. I share in the sadness and confusion that this new policy has caused many in our community — both members of the church and non-members. The LDS Church has done so much good in promoting the strength of
the family and while I strongly believe they are entitled to live in their doctrine, I hope this policy direction will not last long.” Matthew Rojas, Biskupski’s transition team spokesman, said the contents of the letter would not be made public because of its private nature. Q
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december 2015 | issue 251 | gaysaltlake.com
Carol Gnade named acting director of Utah Pride Center Former ACLU of Utah director and Women’s Red Rock Music Festival founder Carol Gnade was named acting director of the Utah Pride Center, replacing Marian EdmondsAllen who resigned after a short tenure. UPC Board President Kent Frogley said that Gnade is a good fit for the job. “She’s widely respected and admired within the community and with the major supporters of our community,” he said in a statement. While having the title of acting director, the position has no end date. The Center’s board of directors is heavily
working on its plan for the future. In a town hall meeting held Nov. 21, incoming board president Mike Aguilar invited the community to join the monthly meetings for constructive conversations to help identify solutions to strengthen the Center. An upcoming campaign was announced at the town hall meeting, to appeal to the community to support the center. Focussed on the concept, “why I love the Center,” it is hoped the message can help change some of the negative feelings some in the community have about the Center. With a new board and director with open ears, the leaders are hopeful for the futre of the Center. Gnade said she is encouraged by the Center’s potential and looks forward to the challenge of the position.
NEWS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 11
夀漀甀 渀攀攀搀 愀 氀愀眀礀攀爀⸀ 圀栀攀爀攀 搀漀 礀漀甀 猀琀愀爀琀㼀 䈀礀 挀愀氀氀椀渀最 䌀栀爀椀猀 圀栀愀爀琀漀渀 䰀愀眀 ∠ 䘀愀洀椀氀礀 䰀愀眀 ∠ 䌀爀椀洀椀渀愀氀 䰀愀眀 ∠ 䰀䜀䈀吀 䄀搀瘀漀挀愀挀礀 䌀栀爀椀猀 圀栀愀爀琀漀渀 椀猀 愀 琀爀甀猀琀攀搀 渀攀最漀琀椀愀琀漀爀 愀渀搀 琀爀椀愀氀 愀琀琀漀爀渀攀礀 眀椀琀栀 攀砀瀀攀爀椀攀渀挀攀 愀挀爀漀猀猀 琀栀攀 猀琀愀琀攀 漀昀 唀琀愀栀⸀ 䔀瘀攀爀礀 渀攀眀 挀氀椀攀渀琀 爀攀挀攀椀瘀攀猀 愀 昀爀攀攀 椀渀椀琀椀愀氀 挀漀渀猀甀氀琀愀琀椀漀渀 眀椀琀栀漀甀琀 愀渀礀 漀戀氀椀最愀琀椀漀渀⸀
䌀栀爀椀猀琀漀瀀栀攀爀 圀栀愀爀琀漀渀
䄀瓷瓷濷狷滷旷秷 懷瓷 䰀懷矷
An act of kindness
Reactions to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ new rules on apostasy were as varied as there are Mormons. This one caught our eye as it made its way around the blogosphere. The note on what look to be extremely delicious cookies reads:
“Good afternoon. This is ____ (____’s mom) from the ward. Whenever I’m sure my words won’t adequately express my feelings, I bake. In light of recent church policy changes, I wanted to let you all know that we love you. We love ____. You are always welcome with my family. All my love (and my prayers for change), _____ and family.” The note was sealed with a sticker that reads “Hope.”
䌀愀氀氀 㠀 ⴀ㘀㐀㤀ⴀ㌀㔀㈀㤀
昀漀爀 愀 昀爀攀攀 挀漀渀猀甀氀琀愀琀椀漀渀
䌀栀爀椀猀 圀栀愀爀琀漀渀 䰀愀眀Ⰰ 䰀䰀䌀 圀 䈀爀漀愀搀眀愀礀Ⰰ 匀琀攀 㔀 匀愀氀琀 䰀愀欀攀 䌀椀琀礀Ⰰ 唀琀愀栀 㠀㐀 挀栀爀椀猀眀栀愀爀琀漀渀氀愀眀⸀挀漀洀
12 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | NEWS
Salt Lake Man sues Eagle Gate College for discrimination
Dustin Kennedy of Salt Lake City says the college where he worked discriminated against him because he was in a same-sex marriage, denying the couple benefits and forcing him out of a job. Kennedy filed a new federal lawsuit stating an administrator at the Salt Lake City-based Eagle Gate College acknowledged that the couple could have gotten benefits if one of them was a woman. “He just wants to be treated like everyone else,” attorney April Hollingsworth said. But the for-profit school said it couldn’t give the men spousal benefits because its insurance company refused. Eagle Gate lawyer Christopher Snow said that administrators wanted to extend benefits to the couple, but their provider turned them down because gay marriage wasn’t legal when Kennedy worked there between 2007 and 2011. “We were in full compliance with the law at the time of Mr. Kennedy’s request,” Snow said in a statement. Hollingsworth says that no one cited the insurance company when Kennedy and his husband, also an Eagle Gate employee, were denied benefits. Afterward, they were told they violated a romantic relationship rule even though it was routinely ignored for heterosexual couples. When they complained, Kennedy saw his work hours reduced to nothing,
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gaysaltlake.com | issue 251 | january 2016
the lawsuit claims. After his job as a massage therapy instructor ended, he says that Eagle Gate refused to pay unemployment benefits, claiming that he had left voluntarily. Kennedy took the issue to court and a judge sided with him, the suit states. Kennedy also filed a claim of gender bias against Eagle Gate with the state and the federal governments. The U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission investigated and dismissed his claim in August, clearing the school of a federal violation, according to a letter filed with court documents, but giv-
ing him a green light to file the new suit. Utah’s new law barring discrimination based on sexual orientation went into effect in May, after Kennedy stopped working at Eagle Gate. The Utah Anti-Discrimination and Labor Division has gotten three complaints under the new rule since May, division director Kerry Chlarson said. Kennedy is seeking back pay and unspecified damages. Eagle Gate switched insurance providers last year to a company that does extend benefits to same-sex couples, after gay marriage was legalized in Utah.
Boy Scouts’ ban on advocacy could hurt Restore Our Humanity’s bid for troop The Boy Scouts of America announced revised rules to emphasize a duty to God and ban political advocacy, leaving a Utah organizer who applied for a troop with gay leaders wondering if applications like his are targeted. The changes come at the end of a turbulent year that saw the organization lift a blanket ban on gay leaders. Restore Our Humanity — which advocated for the legalization of same-sex marriage in Utah — filed an application in September for an LGBT troop. Though he has yet to receive a formal response, director Mark Lawrence said he expects a rejection. “I don’t think this is what they were expecting. I don’t think they expected a bunch of new charter applications to come,” Lawrence said. However, a Boy Scouts executive in the scouting stronghold of Utah said the revisions show that the organization’s values remain intact. The Boy Scouts’ doors are open, but new troop applications must now be approved by a national body, not locally, Great Salt Lake Council Scout Executive Rick Barnes said. “We’re being very careful on how we do this with charters,” he said. “We want to make sure that organizations are willing to follow our policy.” Utah is home to the nation’s largest sponsor of Boy Scout units, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are about 427,000 boys in Mormon Churchsponsored troops, accounting for about 18 percent of all youth Scouts. Church leaders said they were deeply troubled by the decision to allow gay troop
leaders and had considered leaving the organization. They decided to stay after assurances that the organization would allow church-sponsored Scout units to maintain the exclusion for religious reasons, church leaders said. The change nevertheless caused tension. The leaders of the Orem-based The Utah National Parks Council, which serves about 90,000 Scouts south of Salt Lake County, said last month they were facing staff layoffs after donations dropped substantially. Barnes said he’s heard concerns about the end of the blanket ban, but the revisions to the Scouting Code of Conduct and new troop applications made public Monday reinforce the organization’s commitment to its core tenets. The revised rules also require prospective troop organizers to confirm that leaders haven’t been convicted of abuse or other offenses, and to pledge that religious faith will be a guiding principle for their troops. “Some people think that we’ve caved in our values, but we haven’t,” he said. “We’re not going to judge them on a label, we’re going to judge them on their behavior.” Lawrence said that he was happy to sign off on the faith pledge for his proposed troop. “We want to bring in all faiths and all religions,” he said. He expects a denial based on a different rule, one that bans political advocacy or troops chartered by single-issue groups. Restore Our Humanity, which Lawrence founded to press for the legalization of gay marriage in Utah, doesn’t fit that description, he said. If the group is denied, Lawrence said he’d consider legal action.
NEWS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 13
december 2015 | issue 251 | gaysaltlake.com
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Big Gay Fun Bus to West Wendover, Nev. raises funds for charity It’s BIG, it’s GAY and it’s FUN … on a BUS to West Wendover, Nevada. If you’ve never been before, what are you waiting for? Drag queen bingo, a drag queen driver, prizes, songs, $7 in free play at the casino, a free buffet … and a bus full of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, allies and bewildered others. There are three runs left this season and buses have been selling out. A second bus had to be added to the December run, as all seats sold within 48 hours of the bus announcement. A second bus was also just announced for the January trip as well. The money raised on these trips go to various places, from donations to smaller local organizations to funeral expenses for families facing an
unexpected loss. “This is basically our way to be able to give back to the community in small ways that mean great things to families and small organizations,” said Michael Aaron, who runs the buses. The 56-passenger buses are extremely comfortable for the 2-hour ride to Wendover, and include restroom facilities, a video system, and overhead PA system for bingo calling. Buses are scheduled for Saturdays Jan. 9, Feb. 20 and April 2, leaving at noon from Club Try-Angles. WHEN: Sat, Jan. 9, noon WHERE: Leaving from Club Try-Angles, 251 W 900 South COST: $25 at qtix.us INFO: biggayfunbus.com
UMOCA taking applications for second LGBTQ+ Youth Workshop
The Utah Museum of Contemporary Art is presenting the second year of Out Loud, an artistic platform for youth voices in the LGBTQ+ community. Through explorations in contemporary art and the creation of a museum exhibition featuring their own artwork, students build their capacities for self-expression, develop personal identities and cultivate a sense of agency as important contributors to society. This series provides a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth to interact with and learn from peers, mentors and the greater community, helping students build positive social connec-
tions and share their experiences with others. As one art educator put it, Out Loud helps to validate students’ identities and creative expressions, showing students “that they are not alone, that there are other teens, artists, and institutions, like UMOCA, who believe in them.” Deadline to apply for the Out Loud 2016 program is Jan. 18, 2016. Students must be grades 9–12 to apply. The course is no charge for accepted students. For more information and to submit an application, visit utahmoca.org/out-loud.
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“
I think it is changing… and it’s pretty amazing how it’s changing. And one of the things that I’m so proud about [Brokeback Mountain is that], within the past basically 10 years, how much has changed. When the Supreme Court [issued a ruling] just a little while ago, I felt like we had been part, a little part and parcel of that movement. I was proud, you know? To me that’s really a pretty incredible moment. We had to wait a little while for it. But when will it be OK for an actor to be gay? I mean, it’s OK now.” — Jake Gyllenhaal discusses the legacy of Brokeback Mountain with The Hollywood Reporter
“
I mean, why do you have to go around flouting your sexuality? It’s not necessary, you don’t need to talk about that, we need to talk about how we eliminate the enemy.”. — Ben Carson speaking to military veterans in Iowa
views
gaysaltlake.com | issue 251 | january 2016
VIEWS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 15
january 2016 | issue 251 | gaysaltlake.com
who’s your daddy?
Hooray! I’m an apostate! BY CHRISTOPHER KATIS
2015 was
a banner year for the LGBT community. Early this summer, led by four amazing women and one man with an eye on his legacy, the Supreme Court ruled against institutional bigotry and ushered in marriage equality as the law of the land. To me this was the next step, a natural progression, in the continuing advancement of civil rights. There’s still much work to be done – nondiscrimination laws to be passed, and acceptance and protection for Trans* people – but achieving marriage equality was big. Then of course, little Salt Lake beat far larger and more progressive cities like New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco to elect as its leader a member of the LGBT community – when voters picked Jackie Biskupski as mayor. And then there was the decision by the LDS Church to deem gay men and lesbian women in relationships as “apostates,” excommunicate them, and bar any children being raised in two-dad or two-mom families from fully participating in the religion. Of course, those kids can be baptized and become fullypracticing Mormons at 18 – assuming as young adults they’re willing to reject their gay or lesbian parents’ relationship and denounce marriage equality. Gee that sounds healthy. What irks me about this entire situation isn’t so much the decision as it is local media and gay rights organizations deeming the policy as an attack against the LGBT community. It is not.
It may be an issue for LGBT Mormons, but that’s where it ends. I guess since I write about my experiences as a gay dad, quite a few people have asked me my thoughts about this new doctrine. My answer was the same to all of them: What do I care? I’m not Mormon. Never have been, and have ab-
solutely no desire to become one. As far as I’m concerned, the church leaders handed every person – gay and straight – a great response to overly pesky missionaries: I’d love to learn more, but I’m an apostate! No, I don’t think Equality Utah should hold rallies denouncing it. Nope, Mayor-elect Biskupski shouldn’t seek an audience to discuss it. What the Mormon Church does is its business. Pretending it is somehow an issue affecting the larger LGBT community is naive and, frankly, gives greater credit to the pronouncements coming down from South Temple than is deserved. Yes, there are many practicing and former Mormons for whom this decision is heartbreaking. I understand that. I empathize with them. But for the millions of non-Mormon gay men and lesbian women in this country, it is irrelevant. I have many dear LDS friends whom I love very much. Several of them contacted me about this issue. Many of them are torn: they love and respect their LGBT friends and family, but are also devoted to their faith. The pain my wonderful friend, Gary, felt was palpable in his voice. Here is a 70-something year old man, who honorably served a mission, married his beautiful wife in the temple, and loves me like a nephew, accepting my family as a part of his own. The anguish this proclamation caused him cut me to the bone. My response to Gary, to my other LDS friends, and the only commentary on the issue I published on my Facebook page was simple: the Sunday morning when Mormon bishops read this new decree, my sons served as altar boys and took Holy Communion in the Greek Orthodox Church in which they are being raised. Then, afterward, as part of our churchsponsored Boy Scout troop, they served pancakes at a breakfast fundraiser. Among the hungry crowd were their two dads. Q
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gaysaltlake.com | issue 251 | january 2016
lambda lore
Homophobia Part 2
BY BEN WILLIAMS
One of
the most damaging events to cement the idea in the minds of the public that homosexuals were a danger to society was the 1955 Boise, Idaho sex scandal. “Three Boise Men Admit Sex Charges” was the headline of the Idaho Daily Statesman which began a a series of investigations of sexual relationships between men and boys and male prostitutes, which also included some Mormons. The salacious public disclosure created a witch hunt atmosphere within the homosexual communities of the Intermountain West, including Utah. The atmosphere in Salt Lake City became absolutely toxic for homosexuals when arch-conservative and anticommunist Cleon Skousen became Chief of Police in 1956. He immediately instigated a sweeping pogrom targeting homosexual gathering places, and instilled in the public mind the perception that homosexuals were pedophiles. Perhaps the most insidious action on the part of Skousen was having men arrested for homosexuality and then committed to Utah’s State Hospital to be examined for mental illnesses. “In an effort to stem the increasing
reports of molestation in Salt Lake City, Police Chief W. Cleon Skousen, Friday, issued orders to charge suspects under state law rather than with violation of city ordinances. In this way Chief Skousen said a conviction would enable authorities to commit offenders to the Utah State Hospital for life if medical examinations showed then mentally ill.” In an attempt to eradicate homosexual activity in the city in 1957 the Salt Lake Tribune also reported “In an effort to stem an “alarming increase” in cases involving homosexuals, Salt Lake City Judge Marcellus K. Snow plans “more use of the jail sentence to curb such offenses.” The judge explained that certain places in the city are widely known as “Mecca’s for sexually maladjusted persons.” By the end of the decade the Mormon Church had radically changed how it perceived homosexuality. It alarmed church leaders how many prominent married members were being arrested in Skousen’s “Moral Drive” to crush homosexuality. Thus for the first time the Mormon Church began to address the issue of homosexuality within its ranks. In 1959 LDS President McKay assigned the Mormon Apostles Spencer Kimball and Mark E. Peterson to specifically counsel gay men to overcome their “homosexual problems.” Mckay said to Kimball, “Homosexuality was worse than heterosexual immorality; that it is a filthy and unnatural habit.” At the same time church leaders were alarmed at “the growing problem … of homosexuality” at Brigham Young University and met with the church board of education, and the school’s president. Shortly after the meeting the churchowned university began a dubious practice called “aversion therapy” to cure the same-sex
desires of Mormon males. BYU’s mental health counselors, Mormon bishops, stake presidents, and BYU’s Honor Code standard’s office referred or remanded young men with “homosexual tendencies” to this program. Aversion therapy entailed punishing gay men for getting an erection at the sight of a male body with a 1,600-volt impulse to the arm for eight seconds. This torture went on for years and enhanced in the 1960s by school president Ernest L Wilkinson who viewed homosexuals as contaminating the university. It is claimed that Mormons have an ingrained persecution complex that stems from the earliest days and is sustained by the church to maintain a sense of specialness among the Mormon people. It also causes Mormons to fear outsiders. While Mormons have made peace with gentiles and people of color, homosexuals are seen as the ultimate outsiders. The majority of Mormon people are good people trying to do what their leaders tell them. Sustaining priesthood authority is part and parcel of oaths and covenants Mormons take in Temple ceremonies so that the family unit can be everlasting. Within this context, I truly believe that most Mormons do not hate gay people but have been conditioned by decades of endless defamation of homosexuals over the Conference Pulpit to instill a fear of us as enemies. Boyd K. Packer solidified that view by lumping homosexuality with feminists and intellectuals as enemies of the church. The reality is that Mormon leaders have fossilized the idea that dissent equals apostasy. I fear that Mormon leaders are so entrenched in their seven decade misguided homophobic crusade against homosexuals that they are immune to the pain and suffering inflicted on Mormon families. Perhaps they see the suicides, rejections and loss of faith of its members as collateral damage to insure ecclesiastical purity from the contamination of homosexuality. This is truly homophobia. Q
january 2016 | issue 251 | gaysaltlake.com
creep of the month
VIEWS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 17
HELPFUL SIDE-BAR FOR STORIES
WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDE • Talking about wanting to die
Ted Cruz BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI
The Dred
Scott decision, you guys. Have you heard of it? Because it’s kind of famous. Basically this guy, Dred Scott, sued for his freedom because he didn’t want to be a slave any more and he wanted to be treated like a human being and stuff. Fair enough! But the Supreme Court was all, “No dice. If we let you go free then we’re depriving somebody of their property, a.k.a. you. Oh, and P.S., you’re not a citizen because you’re a negro so, like, why are we even talking to you?” It was a total dick move on the Supreme Court’s part, and the decision was one of the catalysts for the Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln denounced the Scott decision, publicly declaring, “This is some bullshit.” It was, as history has helped to make clear, a terrible ruling. So terrible, in fact, that the anti-gay right has taken to comparing it to the Supreme Court’s much more recent Obergefell decision (you know, the one that made same-sex marriage legal throughout the land). Enter Ted Cruz, a guy who thinks he can actually be president someday, talking to National Organization for Marriage co-founder Robert George on a Catholic TV program about this very thing. Hey, George asks, if you were president, would you treat the Obergefell decision like Lincoln did the Dred Scott decision? “Lincoln was absolutely right, I agree with President Lincoln,” Cruz responded. Because two people who love each other and get married is totally akin to keeping black people as property. Honestly, the ease with which the right makes this comparison really speaks to how little they care about the years and years of slavery that created the foundation of racism that still prevails in this country. But then, they’re not worried about racism. They’re worried about two guys in tuxes using little Chihuahuas as ring bearers. “And courts do not make law. That
is not what a court does. A court interprets the law, a court applies the law, but courts don’t make law,” Cruz continues. Which is true. Legislatures make laws, and sometimes really, really bad ones! Like laws that won’t allow gays and lesbians to get married because they think gays and lesbians are subhuman sex fiends. And so the Supreme Court was all, “Uh, these laws are discriminatory and that’s unconstitutional, so nope.” Which is not the same thing as abracadabra-ing a law out of thin air, which is how the right-wing sees things. “And this is an area of really striking divide in this presidential election,” Cruz continues. One candidate, Hillary Clinton, agrees with the court and embraces gay marriage and is happy that unelected judges have purported to tear down the marriage laws of all 50 states.” What a monster, that Hillary Clinton! How dare she be happy about equality in these United States. Cruz then chides some of his fellow Republicans for saying of Obergefell, “It’s final, we must accept it, move on and surrender.” “I think they are profoundly wrong. I think the decision was fundamentally legitimate, it was lawless, it was not based on the Constitution,” Cruz says. I’m pretty sure that Cruz meant “fundamentally illegitimate.” Then again, maybe that was a Freudian slip. Then again, earlier this month Cruz said, “My response to (Obergefell) was that it was illegitimate, it was lawless, it was utterly contrary to the Constitution and that we should fight to defend marriage on every front.” Oooh, sounds like war talk. It’s not hard to imagine Cruz dreaming of another civil war over marriage equality between heathens and the Christians he believes are the real victims of discrimination in this country. Racism and homophobia are all in our heads. But the War on Christians is real. Real paranoia, that is. Q
• Looking for a way to kill oneself • Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose • Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain • Talking about being a burden to others • Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs • Acting anxious, agitated or recklessly • Sleeping too little or too much • Withdrawing or feeling isolated • Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge • Displaying extreme mood swings The more of these signs a person shows, the greater the risk. Warning signs are associated with suicide but may not be what causes a suicide.
WHAT TO DO If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide: • Do not leave the person alone • Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt • Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) • Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional
THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE 800-273-TALK (8255) A free, 24/7 service that can provide suicidal persons or those around them with support, information and local resources.
18 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | VIEWS
gaysaltlake.com | issue 251 | january 2016
queer shift
No permission necessary BY CHARLES LYNN FROST
The end
of 2015: A monumental year for queer rights.
No one would argue that perhaps it was collectively the biggest year to date. Yet within our own Utah queer community there still seems to be derision, dysfunction, drama, competition between organizations, and constant criticism from all age demographics about how fucked up we are when it comes to being a unified collaborative community team. Many have offered wise suggestions as to how we can, individually as well as a community, come together and actually work toward lasting, solid, fair and just solutions. But still the problem exists. I talk to hundreds of people across the LGBTQ spectrum on a monthly basis and I am still perplexed that so many have negative opinions about the overall community and queer organizations. The Utah Pride Center, by all appearances, seems to be broken and toxic with leadership that is clueless as to what their queer stakeholders
really need, want and appreciate. In fact, stakeholders connotes people who actually care, who are invested and engaged in an organization, and I am not sure UPC has many of those left in the greater community. Hopefully with the new and vital seasoned leadership of Executive Director Carol Gnade, long overdue persistent problems will finally get a new set of visionary eyes to fix what seems to many as irreparable. Why do most people in the community look toward organizations to meet their needs, to obtain permission or take action, to create groups that specifically target what they want? “Poor is the person whose pleasures depend on the permission of another.” —Madonna Ciccone Why do seemingly most all organizations feel and act as though they represent every single LGBT person when it comes to issues in which the organization supposedly has mastery? Why? It has been proven time and again, and across all queer organizations, that the needs are
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not being met. I’d like to suggest we look to ourselves, our group of like-minded comrades and go about discovering the solutions to the needs, services and social belonging we desire. Many of our established large organizations think they have the responsibility, the knowledge, as well as the corner on all things queer. That’s bullshit! Furthermore, when stakeholders of an organization observe or perceive a lack of truth, transparency, dishonest communication, near zero operational results, or C-minus leadership, it does not result in enhanced perceptions of status and competence for the organization. Quite the opposite. When an organization, queer or otherwise, appears to be dictated by lack of means, lack of improved ideation, or a total lack of awareness of what is needed, it will not lead to positive inferences and perceptions from anyone. As I have observed the Utah queer community over the past many years, in various roles — leadership and otherwise — the following seem to be the main reasons organizations are mistrusted, flounder and become obsolete. • Lack of clear direction, purpose, vision, values • Failure to meet, or too rapid growth • Complacency or not seeing critical trends • Excessive change, external and internal • Living with poor performance; disengaged Board, executive director, staff and volunteers • Lack of delegation or unwillingness to control • Poor or irrelevant communication • Unrecognized brand value by stakeholders • Not sharing freely — clean,
concise financial information • Not telling stakeholders the truth — transparency, honesty, trust Following all of these, and other important, elements of an effective nonprofit organization is challenging, but at the core is success, longevity, and positive perception and acceptance by the community. There are numerous groups who’ve already organized and are meeting various needs of the queer community right now. One of the most recent is Gay Men Aloud, a wellness community and social group for mature gay men. Organized over this summer and meeting twice monthly, it already has attendance of 50+ at most meetings, and has discussed the meaning of maturity, community and tribe, depression and loneliness, and capturing life stories. Other strong examples — some old, some quite new: blackBOOTS, Utah Bears, BDSM Munch Group; lesbian groups such as OLOC, Golden OWLS, OWLS, Swerve, Swirl, Pearl, and The Thelma & Louise Coffee Group; the Men’s Sack Lunch Group, Restore Our Humanity, All Families, Salt Lake Men’s Choir, QUAC, Red Rock Women’s Music Festival, Utah Stonewall Democrats, RCGSE, The Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and several others — all proving that independently operated groups can be successful, fulfilling and easier than the bureaucracy of large centralized organizations. These groups meet specific needs, make decisions efficiently and effectively, and offer opportunity and enjoyment for those involved. Simpler! “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” —Leonardo DaVinci Q
VIEWS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 19
january 2016 | issue 251 | gaysaltlake.com
gay writes The Constant Table BY CHUCK TABARACCI
The year
1968 was full of change and turmoil. Protesters were filling the streets against the war in Vietnam and for racial equality. Students were taking over college administration buildings. The sexual revolution was in full swing and television was reflecting all of these ideals. It was also the year that my parents decided to make a change in the house. I was 14 years old in the fall of 1968 when all these changes were to take place. We lived in a mid-sized tract home built in the 1950s which carried the hopes and dreams of a normal middle-class family who wished to live the good life of home ownership. Although only about ten years old, the house was beginning to show the signs of wear and tear from raising a family, and mom wanted all new things. She was a woman of style and fashion who liked to keep up with the times. Out with the old beige carpet and pink kitchen, in with the new! It was time for a modern look — avocado green and dark walnut. All the living room furniture and kitchen appliances were to be replaced. The only thing to remain was the dining room table, but it was to be refinished to match the rest of the changes. The table was purchased by my parents shortly after they were married and, although it was made of very light blonde-colored wood, it was built to stand the test of time and the whims of fashion. “We’ll just take it downstairs and re-stain it,” said my dad. I knew what that meant. Being 14, I was loathe to do any more work around the house than I felt was absolutely necessary and this meant extra work. I wasn’t going to like it, but I helped carry it down the stairs.
My first job was to help strip off the old gloss finish. To this day I still remember the smell of that varnish remover. It was a gelatinous goo that had to be brushed on, and then scraped off. It was hard and nasty work, but I managed most of it and my dad did what he could when he wasn’t working. I cursed that table many times during the process and muttered to myself, “Why didn’t they just buy another table along with the rest of the new furniture?” After the old finish was stripped, my dad and I sanded it down and it actually looked like it was going to become fairly nice. Finally it was time to apply the new stain. Dad showed me how to apply it with a soft cloth so that I could rub the stain into the grain. As this process went along, I began to see the beauty of the wood come through, a beauty that had been hidden all those many years. I began to appreciate what my dad had told me, that if you buy a quality piece of furniture it will last a lifetime. I was amazed at how great it turned out. When the table was finished, we turned our attention to the six chairs. After my experience with the table, I was more than happy to work on them and see how they would turn out. The finished product was something that my dad and I could be very proud of. That was the year that table, and to some degree my life, was transformed. As I now look back on my life, that table has always been the center of our family life. You can’t view an old home movie or look at family photos without seeing it in there. Roughly 1,275 birthday candles were blown out on that table. During the holidays, it was expanded by the use of a picnic table and card tables, stretching through the living room. The added size was needed to accommodate our Italian family which included the grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins all shar-
ing in the holiday feast as one. Graduations, anniversaries, and any other special occasions were also held at this special table. It was the center of life for the simplest of gatherings, even if it was only coffee with neighbors, friends, and relatives. Eventually grandchildren came to eat and sit around this table to visit. This table carried so many memories of friends and relatives who are no longer with us, or who lived a very long distance away. It also served as mom’s work and quiet area. Many evenings she would place her sewing machine there to mend torn clothing, or to make something new, especially matching outfits for the girls at Easter. She would also use its solid, trusty surface to do the budget and write out bills. Other evenings she would sit there quietly and pen letters in her beautiful cursive handwriting to distant friends and relatives, and let them know the latest news. Then, of course, there was the annual Christmas card gala. She would get out her address book and have cards spread all over the table so that she could hand write a personal letter to everyone on her list. The table was the scene for a photo of a get-together of my mom and her sisters. Little
did they know it would be the last photo of all five of them together. It’s where my dad was sitting, having breakfast when he suffered a fatal stroke. Mom’s mind had been failing her, so the decision was made in 2008 to move her into a retirement center and, after 50 years from when it was built, the house was sold. She couldn’t bring too much with her to the new place, but she insisted that the dining room table would go with her. All the leaflets were taken out so that it was small enough to fit. I lived several hundred miles away when that move happened, and so I went up to help her unpack some things and do a bit of organizing. As I was getting ready to fly back home, I went to her new apartment to say goodbye. I remember her as I was leaving, sitting at that table, gazing out the large, southfacing window at the distant mountains, and unconsciously running her hand gently back and forth across the surface. It was as if she was caressing and comforting an old friend. And she was. Q Gay Writes is a DiverseCity Series writing group, a program of SLCC’s Community Writing Center. The group meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month, 6:30-8 pm, 210 E. 400 South, Ste. 8, Salt Lake.
20 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | PERSONS OF THE YEAR
gaysaltlake.com | issue 251 | january 2016
PERSONS OF THE YEAR
LDS LEADERS Our annual person of the year, done as part of our year in review, has a very narrow focus. Some may see it as an award to bestow evenly among leaders, others may see it as a popularity contest. We, however, see it as the person or persons who, in this calendar year, has most affected Utah’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, for better or worse.
Persons of the 2015 are the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who several times through the year have delved into public policy, charity, and made church policy that directly affect Utah’s LGBT community, for better or worse, depending on who you talk to. In the past few years, and especially since the public outcry over the church’s involvement in California’s Proposition 8, leaders have grappled with how to handle the LGBT community in light of their perceived dissonance between their religious beliefs and the desire to treat people fairly. Church officials have even been meeting in private with top LGBT leaders in an effort to basically learn how to agree to disagree in a respectful manner. This first resulted in a rare appearance at a city council meeting to show support of a nondiscrimination ordinance that protects people from bias based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
SB296 ANTIDISCRIMINATION AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AMENDMENTS Church leaders met with legislators, gay activists and religious freedom experts for weeks, many times very late into the night, to hash out a compromise bill that gate Utah’s LGBT community a nondiscrimination bill it had been fighting for many years to win, while protecting its version of religious freedoms, which basically came down to religious-based schools and housing and other religious entities would be exempt. Equality Utah and Sen. Jim Dabakis, and others, lauded the bill’s passage as a huge win for the LGBT community. Others
bristled at the exclusions. Newspapers from around the world headlined the feat as a model for future legislation.
DONATION TO UTAH PRIDE CENTER HOMELESS YOUTH PROGRAM People were surprised when the church donated a small amount of money to the Utah Pride Center’s Homeless Youth Program. The Center had asked for $2,500 to help buy food and pantry items for their drop-in program, which was granted. People were also surprised to hear that the Church Welfare Square donated much of the food for the annual Camp Pinecliff retreat for those affected by HIV for decades.
APOSTATES AND CHILDREN The church’s latest move, however, is one that touches people in a much more personal and real way. Many gay and lesbian people, who are now in same-sex relationships, at one time were married and had children before their divorce. A large number of those families figured out how to make child rearing work through shared custody and other arrangements. Other same-sex couples have adopted children and want them to be able to attend the church of their choice. In a new set of rules, however, samesex couples living together, married or not, are now considered apostates and local church leaders are counseled to conduct a disciplinary hearing. But what people are all the more up in arms about is that the new rules also state that children living in a
january 2016 | issue 251 | gaysaltlake.com
same-sex household — whether married or simply cohabitating — may not be blessed as babies or baptized. Further, when 18 they may ask to be baptized, but only after disavowing the practice of same-sex cohabitation or marriage, and leaving the household. Some gay and lesbian members or former members of the church say that they can live with the title of apostate, but not with their children being required to disavow them to
continue in their faith. Many teenagers have had to leave their families and others have chosen to for fear of being labeled apostates themselves. John Dehlin, who himself was excommunicated from the church in part for his advocacy for LGBT people within the church, called the new rules “a very sad day for Mormonism.” “No one should be forced to choose between their faith and loving companionship,” he said. Q
PERSONS OF THE YEAR | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 21
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READERS’ CHOICES FOR PERSON OF THE YEAR JACKIE BISKUPSKI
Salt Lake City Mayor-Elect Jackie Biskupski will be sworn in this month as the city’s first lesbian and second female, mayor. “It can’t be over-stated how significant it is that Salt Lake City — the same city that rejected Jackie’s bid for city council less than two decades ago — has now elected her mayor,” one reader wrote. “Jackie as the mayor of Salt Lake City, where the Mormon Church is headquartered, is a very significant accomplishment. It’s huge.” “Having queers and women in these positions is inspiring to me, wrote another reader. Biskupski was in the House of Representatives for over 12 years.
MICHAEL SANDERS
A fairly recent transplant from New York City, Michael Sanders has taken Salt Lake City’s reins. As owner of the vintage store Now & Again, he brought mid-century modern to Salt Lake when few others did. This year he saw an un-met need for Salt Lake’s leather and kink community, and started blackBOOTS, hosting social events, workshops and a gear night at Try-Angles. He also saw a need for information on PrEP to get out to Utah’s gay community, and petitioned the Salt Lake County Dept. of Health to create a PrEP Resource Teamas well as gathered county and HIV organization leaders to conduct a town meeting on the HIV prevention option. He also started an HIV stigma organization, Mr. Friendly Team Utah.
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2015
22 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | YEAR IN REVIEW
IN R EV IEW
It was quite a year, and if you’re like me, you forgot much of what happened. Here is our annual year in review.
January Salt Lake, Boise named among ‘queerest cities in America’ Salt Lake City has once again made The Advocate magazine’s list of “queerest cities in America,” coming in 6th place this year. The city has been listed for the past four years, and took top honors in 2012, raising the eyebrows of skeptics across the nation. Boise, Idaho, took 12th place.
gaysaltlake.com | issue 251 | january 2016
of respondents said they had undergone efforts to change their sexual orientation Northstar, by the way, is also the name of the first American comic book hero to come out as gay. The X-Men character married his husband in the first same-sex marriage in an American comic book as well.
LDS Church holds press conference for nondiscrimination and religious freedom laws The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held a rare news conference to address nondiscrimination laws that protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, as well as so-called religious freedom legislation that protects churches and religious people in a war between cultures The church broadened their 2009 support for the Salt Lake City nondiscrimination ordinance by saying it would support such ordinances throughout Utah and the nation as long as there was a balanced approach to protect constitutional religious exercise and conscience. Days after the news conference, the Idaho House State Affairs Committee voted 13–4 to defeat a bill that would have added the words “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the state’s Human Rights Act. The vote fell along party lines.
Jackie Biskupski announces bid for Salt Lake City mayor’s race ‘My Husband’s Not Gay’ airs on TLC Three couples — plus one bachelor — starred in a TLC special “My Husband’s Not Gay.”. All seven cast members are devout Salt Lake City Mormons, and all leaders of North Star International — an organization that prescribes celibacy or opposite-sex marriage for LGB people to fit abide by the LDS Church’s teachings. The show was promoted as the husbands were “men struggling to cope with the fact that, while they identify as heterosexual, they’re actually attracted to other men. The show ranked poorly on viewership — 69th among cable offerings. No comment. A survey of 1,612 gay and lesbian (current and former) Mormons released just before the show aired found that up to 69 percent of marriages involving a gay man and a woman end in divorce. This contrasted with a divorce rate of 25 percent among straight Mormons. Eighty percent
Former Utah state legislator Jackie Biskupski threw her hat in the ring to be Salt Lake City Mayor, calling for a stronger effort to support the city’s education system, improve air quality, increase support of the small business community and a commitment to fairness and equality for all. “I am running for Salt Lake City Mayor because, as a single mother raising a young son, I look around the city and wonder if we are creating an environment of opportunity and the culture of progress that my son and his generation deserve,” she said.
February Provo mayor calls for fairness to LGBT citizens Provo Mayor John Curtis called for inclusion and compassion for the city’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens. “Like many of you, my close circle includes those with gender attractions dif-
ferent than mine,” Curtis wrote. “I wasn’t prepared for this, I’ve had to rethink many things and I have had more questions than answers. However, no matter where I turn or where I look, I’ve had an overwhelming confirmation that we need to treat our gay friends, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters with dignity, love and respect. While this seems obvious to me, there are many places in our world, and places in the state of Utah (including Provo) where gay and lesbian people feel marginalized, shunned and severely judged. It pains me to watch my loved ones in a world that is so quick to judge them without knowing how-how hard they try to be good people.”
Derek Kitchen enters race for Salt Lake City Council The namesake for the landmark Utah same-sex marriage case, Kitchen v. Herbert, announced his candidacy for the Salt Lake City Council District 4. “Being both a resident and a business owner in District 4, I have a unique and valuable understanding of our neighborhood,” Kitchen said. “My involvement in this landmark [Kitchen v. Herbert] litigation allowed me to become an advocate for equality and fairness in our city and state, for which I am very grateful.”
Park City High School opens ‘all-gender’ restrooms Park City High School senior and student council member Adam Snyder presented a concept to designate two single-stall restrooms as “all gender” to staff members of the Park City School District last fall. He also asked the school’s principal, Bob O’Connor. “I didn’t see any harm in that,” O’Connor said. “It was a 10-dollar swap on the sign.” The concept was approved, which PCHS GSA president Tori Vipond lauded.
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“It is important for there to be all-gender bathrooms because it’s important to offer a safe place for a person to go to the bathroom without having to worry about bullying or harassment. Transgendered teens face harsh judgment from their peers and going to the bathroom is a struggle that they have to face every day.”
Gay Ski Week returns to Park City ELEVATION Utah returned to Park City for its fifth year and was even larger than its previous four years with over 1,000 gays from around the country flocking to the slopes and staying for the various collection of parties, dinners, après ski events and more.
March Huntsman signs on to conservative appeal for same-sex marriage Former Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman, now head Project Right Side which wants to improve the political climate for gays and lesbians, filed a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court prior to its decision on same-sex marriage, signed by 303 Republican, conservative, Libertarian and center-right current and past political officials, including former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman and officials with Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign.
Governor Herbert signs nondiscrimination/ religious liberties bill into law After weeks of late-night negotiations between LDS Church representatives, legislators on both sides of the aisle, representatives of Equality Utah, The National Center for Lesbian Rights, Human Rights Campaign and civil rights/ religious rights legal specialist Robin Fretwell Wilson, the Utah Legislature overwhelmingly passed a joint Antidiscrimination and Religious Freedom bill, and Gov. Gary Herbert signed it in a rally at the Utah State Capitol Building rotunda. “There was a lot of people and a lot of faith that went into this particular bill,” House sponsor State Rep. Brad Dee (ROgden) said as he voice broke with emotion on the bill’s reading on the House floor. This is the eighth year a nondiscrimination bill that specified sexual orientation and gender identity was proposed on Utah’s Capitol Hill. Rep. Christine Johnson was first to introduce it, followed by Sen. Ben McAdams and for three years, Sen. Steve Urquhart. Last year, all bills were tabled by Republican legislators as a challenge to District Judge Robert Shelby’s decision that Utah’s Amendment 3 and other laws blocking same-sex marriage were unconstitutional made its way through the courts.
YEAR IN REVIEW | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 23
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2015
24 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | YEAR IN REVIEW
IN R EV IEW C
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Utah Gov. Herbert would not marry same-sex couple if asked Asked at his monthly news conference, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said he would not marry a same-sex couple because of personal beliefs. Governors are on the list of those who can perform marriages in the state. “I probably would respectfully decline,” he said after being asked if he’s ever performed a same-sex wedding. “It’s not something I would want to do.”
Gallup: Salt Lake ranks 7th-most LGBT metropolitan area in the U.S. Analysis of poll data by Gallup shows that Salt Lake City’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community ranks among the highest in the nation per capita. More than 374,000 Gallup Daily tracking interviews asked, “Do you, personally, identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender?” “This is the largest ongoing study of the distribution of the LGBT population in the U.S. on record, and the first time a study has had large enough sample sizes to provide estimates of the LGBT population by [metropolitan statistical area],” Gallup noted in a release. Approximately 53,660 people in the Salt Lake Metropolitan Area identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender.
April Girl Scout Troop starts up at Utah Pride Center While many attempts have been made to start a Boy Scouts of America troop at the Utah Pride Center, none have yet to be successful. In April, however, the first troop meeting of a Girl Scouts of America took place there, with hopes of it becoming a thriving group.
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Girl Scout Program Coordinator Shari Soloman-Klebba said that the organization has long been reaching out to under-served populations. Any child, K–12, who identifies as a girl is welcome in this troop. “I hope they feel they are part of a larger sisterhood,” Soloman-Klebba said. “I hope they can have fun, be ‘who I am’ with no set parameters on how I have to behave.” But Perry used the semiannual conference to outline the faith’s commitment to the belief that marriage is an institution exclusive to a man and a woman.
Apostle warns against acceptance of ‘counterfeit lifestyles’ At the LDS Church’s semi-annual general conference, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles L. Tom Perry cautioned Mormons not to be swayed by a world filled with media and entertainment that makes the “minority seem like the majority” and tries to make mainstream values seem obsolete. Perry said strong, traditional families are the basic units of a stable society, a stable economy and a stable culture of values. He said the Mormon Church would continue to be a leading voice on the issue. “We want our voice to be heard against all of the counterfeit and alternative lifestyles that try to replace the family organization that God Himself established,” Perry said.
University criticized President Matthew Holland’s decision to sign onto the brief, wearing rainbow ribbons during graduation ceremonies and penning an open letter denouncing him.
June ‘God Loves Gays’ billboards greet Utah drivers I-15 drivers in Orem and Salt Lake were greeted with electronic billboards that professed God’s love for gays. For the month of June the billboard, that features a cartoon version of God and the words “God Loves Gays” were displayed. “Mormons still think that Heavenly Father hates gay people, which is FALSE!” ‘God’ said on his Facebook page. “I’m placing these billboards in Utah to set the record straight on the subject, now and forever. GOD LOVES GAYS. And I’m totally cool with their lifestyle too. Why else would I make so many wonderful gay Mormons?”
May Schaerr: Marriage equality will kill 900,000 unborn babies One hundred university scholars, including many from colleges across the state of Utah, signed onto an amicus brief penned by the lawyer hired by the state of Utah to defend its anti-same-sex marriage laws that said, if same-sex marriage is legalized, over 900,000 abortions will take place. “On the surface, abortion and same-sex marriage may seem unrelated,” Gene Schaerr wrote in a post. But “the two are closely linked in a short and simple causal chain.” Schaerr claimed that legalizing samesex marriage devalues marriage and causes fewer heterosexual couples to marry, which leads to a larger number of unmarried women, who have abortions at higher rates than married women. As a result, Schaerr wrote, “nearly 900,000 more children of the next generation would be aborted as a result of their mothers never marrying.” About 100 employees of Utah Valley
Utah Pride Festival, Parade draw record numbers The Utah Pride Center’s largest annual fundraiser, and one of the largest events in Salt Lake City each year, Utah Pride Festival and Parade drew tens of thousands to downtown Salt Lake City. This year’s grand marshal was trans* writer, TV host and advocate Janet Mock American rapper, singer and songwriter Dev and girl group XELLE were the entertainment headliners, along with a number of local bands and groups. The Sunday parade was stacked deep all along the parade route, a noticeable difference from previous years. Community award winners were Courtney Moser (aka Petunia Pap Smear), Sen. Jim Dabakis and attorney Paul Burke.
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Gifts
Lube
LGBT ally Salt Lake City Police Chief Burbank forced from office
Men jailed after 13-yearold poses as 18 on Grindr in Layton
Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker asked for and received Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank’s resignation over his handling of a sexual harassment case involving three women. Utah’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans* community felt they had lost an ally. Burbank was known for his calm demeanor in the face of turbulence. While police chiefs in other jurisdictions would send officers in riot gear to keep the public peace, Burbank showed up personally and spoke one-on-one with those involved. Burbank has been a regular at Utah Pride Parades and Festivals, personally showed up at Club Sound to talk to potential witnesses and press after a hate crime was reported nearby, and put officer Eric Moutsos on paid administrative leave after he refused an assignment in the police brigade at the beginning of the Utah Pride Parade. Moutsos, who also happened to be the officer who arrested two men for kissing in the public rightof-way on Temple Square, later resigned. He is now with the ultra-conservative Sutherland Institute and spoke against the compromise that allowed for the Utah nondiscrimination law to be passed.
Two young men who agreed to meet someone they thought was an 18-year-old man traveling with his parents were booked into Davis County Jail after finding the blank profile was actually a 13-year-old boy. Dakota Freeman, 20, of Clearfield met the boy at the family’s hotel room and was scurried into the bathroom right near the door. Police say they had sexual relations and the boy’s father was awoken by Freemen leaving. The father called police, and David Ellis, 28, of Vernal came looking for the boy as well after they arrived. The men were arrested and have had preliminary hearings, but the cases have yet to reach trial.
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Young Delta, Utah man claimed to be victim of hate crime In what was called “a cry for help,” a 21-year-old Delta, Utah man claimed he had been jumped as he closed up the family pizza restaurant, forced to drink bleach, and had “die fag” carved into his arms. In subsequent “attacks,” a Molotov cocktail was thrown through his bedroom window and the restaurant and the family house was vandalized with “You’ll Die. Burn Fag.” As the community responded by driving to Delta
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26 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | YEAR IN REVIEW
and supporting the restaurant, setting up a GoFundMe campaign that raised thousands and making reward money available to catch the perpetrators, Rick Jones confessed that the attacks were untrue and that he, alone, was responsible. “He’s a troubled young man that has gone through a lot in his life,” attorney Brett Tolman said. “He’s a 21-year-old gay man living in Delta, Utah. In a very conservative community, in a conservative family, who love him very much but may have some issues to work through.” No charges against Jones were filed.
US Supreme Court declares samesex marriage the law of the land Exactly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court released its decision in United States v. Windsor, invalidating much of the socalled Defense of Marriage Act, the Court announced its 5–4 ruling declaring samesex marriage the law of the land. June 26 is also exactly 12 years after the Lawrence v. Texas ruling invalidating sodomy laws across the country. “The history of marriage is one of both continuity and change,” Justices wrote in a summary of the decision where they ruled that states cannot keep same-sex couples from marrying and must recognize their unions. “This transformative triumph is a momentous victory for freedom, equality, inclusion, and above all, love. For the first time in our nation’s history, ALL loving and committed couples will have the freedom to say, ‘I do,’” said Evan Wolfson,
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founder and president of Freedom to Marry. Hundreds of Utahns gathered that night at City Creek Park to celebrate. Before the ruling, same-sex marriage had already been made legal in 37 states by either legislative or voter action or by federal courts that overturned state’ bans. Utah’s ban was the first to be overturned on Dec. 20, 2013 when Judge Robert Shelby ruled it violated the U.S. Constitution.
July Mormon Church donates to Utah Pride Center homeless program The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave a “first-ever” charitable donation to the Utah Pride Center to help with a drop-in program to help homeless and low-income youth. Center leaders announced the donation in a press release. Sources say the amount was $2,500. “The donation was made in response to a request by the Utah Pride Center for perishable food items to supplement a program put in place and staffed by community volunteers that feed homeless youth. The Utah Pride Center asked the church for a small amount, because that was what was needed. And it was a beginning, a step,” UPC board president Kent Frogley wrote in a statement. “The church responded, first with ‘Are you sure you don’t need more?’ and then ‘We’d be happy to help.’”
Federal judge orders state of Utah to list same-sex couple names on birth certificate of baby U.S. District Judge Dee Benson ordered the state of Utah to list the names of a lesbian couple as mothers on a birth certificate for their new baby. The ACLU filed the lawsuit in April to force the State Office of Vital Records and Statistics to recognize plaintiffs Angie and Kami Roe as parents to their daughter, Lucy.
“The state has failed to show any legitimate reason, actually any reason at all, for not treating a female spouse in a same-sex marriage the same as a male spouse in an opposite-sex marriage with regard to be recognized as the legal parent” when the child has been conceived with donated sperm, Benson wrote.
Utah Pride Center named Marian Edmonds-Allen as executive director The Utah Pride Center announced Marian Edmonds-Allen as their new executive director. She would hold the position for three months before resigning, saying “the executive director position be eliminated” to prolong existing resources. “Marian is the right person at the right time. She is already a very well respected leader in our community,” said Utah Pride Center board president Kent Frogley announcing the appointment. “There is much work to be done still and Marian stepping into the leadership role at the Utah Pride Center will serve our community well in advancing the mission of the Utah Pride Center in providing important programs and services that meet the needs of the LGBTQ community.
Boy Scouts votes to allow gay leaders, LDS Church threatens to leave The Boy Scouts of America national executive board voted to allow openly gay leaders to serve in the organization, while allowing local troops to determine their own policies on the matter. Mormon Church leaders were angered by the decision, even though an earlier statement made it appear the church was simply asking for a religious exemption, which was part of the resolution. “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints is deeply troubled by today’s vote by the Boy Scouts of America National Executive Board. In spite of a request to delay the vote, it was scheduled at a time in July when members of the Church’s governing councils are out of their offices and do not meet,” the new statement read. “When the leadership of the Church resumes its regular schedule of meetings in August, the century-long association with Scouting will need to be examined. The Church ultimately determined to stay with BSA for the foreseeable future.
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advancing to the general election in the Midvale City Council race with 38 percent of votes cast. She hoped to be the first openly transgender person to win election in the state. “Salt Lake City has embraced openly gay candidates in the past, so this is not new, but it’s becoming more pronounced,” political consultant LaVarr Webb said. “It’s part of a broader culture of change that’s not just in Salt Lake City, but also across the country where there is clearly momentum in supporting and acknowledging gay people and their rights.” The five LGBT candidates on primary ballots in Utah also included Dave Robinson for Salt Lake City Mayor and Babs De Lay for Salt Lake City Council District 4.
August Ogden held its first Pride Festival Choosing to begin modestly, Ogden Pride kicked off for the first time downtown at the Municipal Gardens. The theme was “Love Within Reach” and couples had the opportunity to get married at the festival. The Utah Pride Center sponsored an exhibit, “Windows To The Past,” highlighting state and national LGBTQ history. A pet parade and fashion show, karaoke, carnival games, a bouncy house and face painting brought a family feel to the event. Performers included bands, drag queens, Cheer Salt Lake and host Jackson Carter
Utah Mr. Friendly group formed A local chapter of Mr. Friendly — an international, yet grassroots movement to reduce stigma of HIV, encourage testing for HIV, and improve quality of life for those living with HIV in friendly ways — was organized by Now and Again owner Michael Sanders in Salt Lake. The group hosts events in Utah and uses social media to promote awareness about HIV and the latest developments in treatment, prevention and resources for our entire Utah community, positive or negative. They work with various local HIV-service agencies and assist with their outreach to our community, including a well-attended session on PrEP, a prevention option for people who are at high risk of getting HIV.
Salt Lake Area Firefighters heat up every month of 2016
Primary election bodes well for LGBT candidates Five LGBT candidates were on the ballot in Salt Lake County — three of which made it through the primary election. Jackie Biskupski bested incumbent Ralph Becker in the Salt Lake City Mayor’s election, garnering 46 percent of the vote in the 5-way race. Becker received 31 percent of the vote. Derek Kitchen, who married his partner, Moudi Sbeity this summer in a public ceremony in the city’s center, received 36 percent of the voted cast in the City Council District 4 race, doubling his closest competitor’s showing. Sophie Hawes-Tingey was successful in
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28 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | YEAR IN REVIEW
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September Provo holds 3rd Pride The 3rd Provo Pride Festival, with the theme, “This is Family” was held Saturday, Sept. 19 at Memorial Park. Food, entertainment, info booths and performances by The Caravan of Glam, most recently seen on “America’s Got Talent,” filled the day and kickoff and after parties filled the nights.
Restore Our Humanity applies for nondenominational Scout troop The director of Restore Our Humanity said it was not his intention to create a “gay” Boy Scout troop, despite the fact that his organization was started primarily for LGBT-rights advocacy, and despite the fact that his effort to form a troop follows on the heels of an announcement by the Boy Scouts of America that they will no longer ban leaders who are gay. Mark Lawrence said he was indeed in the middle of a process to get approved as a chartering organization for the Boy Scouts, and that the impetus of the effort was indeed the change in the BSA’s leadership policy, which it announced last month. To date, however, the organization has not heard whether their application has been approved.
Moab holds 4th Pride and Parade In 2011, Moabite Amy Stocks watched a satiric video from The Onion about a small town throwing a pride festival for its only gay man and she posted the video on her Facebook page with a note asking when her own hometown, Moab,
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Utah, was going to throw a party for her. The response eventually turned into the town’s first ever Pride parade and festival. The event has now grown to a full week of adventures, including razorbiking, jeeping, hiking, rafting, stand-up paddle boarding and nightly dining and bar options, not to mention the festival and “Visibility March.” An estimated 1,000 people attend Moab Pride Weekend.
Utah bisexual conference is held Utah’s 1 to 5 Club joined the ranks of Because and other B+ focused conferences for Utah’s first B+/Sexually Fluid Conference, titled “Queer Continuum: Exploring the Nuances of Sexuality + Attraction.” The conference focused on issues ranging from people of color in the community to a “Sexually Fluid 101” conversation for those seeking to understand the bisexual and B+ community better. Healing Group clinical director Mary Stanley was the keynote speaker and workshop presenters included leaders and community members.
Equality Utah endorsed 19 candidates, including both Biskupski and Becker Equality Utah has released its slate of endorsed candidates. In the Salt Lake mayoral race, however, the group announced they endorsed both incumbent mayor Ralph Becker and challenger Jackie Biskupski. “It is a rarity to see Equality Utah PAC issue a dual-endorsement, but this year’s Salt Lake City mayoral race unequivocally calls for it,” EU executive director Troy Williams said in a statement. “Both candidates, Jackie Biskupski and Ralph Becker, have proven to be uniquely powerful advocates for our work. Biskupski was Utah’s first openly-gay member of the Utah State Legislature. When Amendment 3 initially passed through the Utah State House, she courageously stood up and testified in defense of the LGBTQ community. Becker has been working as Salt Lake City Mayor to pass pro-LGBTQ city ordinances and policy (including Utah’s first workplace and housing non-discrimination ordinance. We all remember that red sweater vest he wore on Dec. 20, 2013 as he married as many couples as time permitted. Thirteen of the endorsed candidates went on to win their respective races.
October Inclusive ‘Faith & Family LGBTQ Power Summit’ held before WCF9 Over 200 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer advocates and faith leaders took part in the Faith & Family LGBTQ Power Summit in Salt Lake City. Hosted by the National LGBTQ Task Force, the four-day gathering focused on elevating the voices of LGBTQ faith leaders, addressed attacks by anti-LGBTQ politicians using religion to discriminate against LGBTQ people, and provided communities of faith with tools to create a welcoming environment for LGBTQ people. Bishop Yvette Flunder of The Fellowship, a coalition of over 100 Christian churches and ministries, gave the keynote address days before the World Congress of Families.
An anti-LGBT parade of speakers at the World Congress of Families in Salt Lake City A parade of anti-LGBT speakers participated in the World of Congress of Families IX, held at the Grand America in Salt Lake City. Organizers insisted that the Congress is not anti-gay, but actually very inclusive and loving of all. The list of speakers and awardees, however, told a very different tale. Among them are some of those working the hardest across the world to thwart equality efforts for LGBT people. Their rhetoric of hate is undeniably anti-gay and anti-trans*. Utah Gov. Gary Herbert and his wife were among those who greeted the Congress, even after a public outcry for him to cancel. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and LDS apostle Elder M. Russell Ballard were also part of the program. “The best thing I can say to anyone who has concerns about this event is just come be with us, come walk the halls...” event organizer Stan Swim told ABC 4 Utah. “We want to be civil. We want to be respectful with our dialogue with other people. We think Utah sets a great model for that and we intend to be that kind of example here with the congress,” he said. QSaltLake publisher Michael Aaron took Swim up on his offer, but was escorted from the hotel. Media credentials were also refused by the organization.
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Winner
2013, 2014, 2015 Fabby Awards “Best Chiropractic Clinic”
In July, U.S. District Judge Dee Benson ordered the state of Utah to list the names of a lesbian couple as mothers on a birth certificate for their new baby. In a filing Oct. 16, the state agreed to drop the case in a joint stipulation with the couple. The court also noted that similar cases could be covered by the ruling. “The Court further ordered that if Defendants continue to enforce Utah Code ... with respect to male spouses of women who give birth through assisted reproduction with donor sperm, they must also apply the statute equally to female spouses of women who give birth through assisted reproduction with donor sperm,” the ruling stated.
Online petition to SLCo Health Dept prompts new HIV program Organizers of a Change.org online petition that gathered over 3,800 signatures demanding the Salt Lake County Health Department address getting information on PrEP to affected communities declared victory when the department announced a new HIV prevention program, The PrEP Resource Team.
The petition, initiated by gay activist Michael Sanders was prompted by the lack of resources for Salt Lake County residents to easily obtain information about Pre-exposure prophylaxis, commonly known as PrEP. Marketed under the brand name Truvada, PrEP is a daily regimen to pro-actively prevent new HIV infections. When taken consistently, PrEP has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection in people who are at high risk by up to 92 percent.
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Jackie Biskupski is elected Salt Lake City mayor Jackie Biskupski, who served in the Utah House of Representatives for over 12 years as the first openly gay legislator in the state, won election as Salt Lake City Mayor by a three percent margin against incumbent Ralph Becker. Biskupski garnered 19,896 votes to Becker’s 18,702 — a 1,194 vote difference. With this election she becomes Salt Lake’s second female and first lesbian mayor. She will take the oath of office on January 4, 2016. In the meantime, Becker promised his full support for a smooth transition. Q
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The Gay Agenda BY TONY HOBDAY
ANNUAL EVENTS Many of you … well, weather the weather just to stalk some hottie celebrities and party your asses off at the SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL in Park City, but you also know it’s really about the films … right? Check out our Q Guide to Sundance in the next few pages.
21
THURSDAY — SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL
Venues vary, Park City and Salt Lake City, times vary, through Jan.31. Individual tickets $20. Festival passes $300-3500, sundance.org
CONCERTS Hip hop music is not really my thing but I don’t put together this calendar of events to appease myself …
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most of the time. Anyhoo, G-EAZY is a hip-hop hottie and because his song “Everything Will Be OK” is sort of a memorial to his mother’s same-sex partner, whom he came to care for before her death, I think he deserves mention here. Two indie rock groups based in Utah … as if you couldn’t guess from their names … hit the Kilby Court this month. Check ‘em out! “She’s a flautist,” informs Rose. “She plays the flute?” Dorothy rhetorically asks. Rose sarcastically remarks, “No, Dorothy, she plays a ‘flaut’. It’s a big instrument that looks like a tuba, and has hair at the bottom of it. Of course she plays a flute.” That’s my gay segue to Emmanuel Pahud, a renowned flautist, who will bring the music to Carmen to life in a unique and special way, accompanied by the renowned Utah Symphony. Trust me, all the snakes in the house will rise.
9
SATURDAY — G-EAZY
Saltair, 12408 W. Saltair Dr., Magna, 7pm. Tickets $40, smithstix.com
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THURSDAY — SMALL LAKE CITY
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FRIDAY — SALINE LAKES
Kilby Court, 741 S. 330 West, 7pm. Tickets $8.50, 24tix.com
Kilby Court, 741 S. 330 West, 7pm. Tickets $8.50, 24tix.com
— PAHUD PLAYS CARMEN FANTASY Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple, 7:30pm, through Saturday. Tickets $10-68, arttix.org
DANCE The Sweet Beast Dance Circus returns with it annual WTF! I wonder what WTF stands for … I could share what I think but Michael Aaron, using his editing prowess, would probably change it to What The Falafel! Anyhoo, “mingle, nosh, sip, then boogie at a culinary and performance event that’s one of the Beast parties of the year.”
16
SATURDAY — WTF! 2016
Black Box Theatre, Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. 300 South, 6:30pm. Tickets $70, arttix.org
SPECIAL ENGAGEMENTS Does Park City really want a swarm of old(er) homos taking over their quaint town just before a swarm of young(ish) homos bid for stardom (in the dark alleys of Main Street) during the Sundance Film Festival? Well, okay then. I wonder what YMCA stands for … again, Michael would edit it to Young Men Come Aboard.
6
WEDNESDAY — THE VILLAGE PEOPLE
Egyptian Theatre Company, 328 Main St., Park City, 8pm, through Jan 10. Tickets $43-80, egyptiantheatrecompany.com
THEATRE/OPERA Wasatch Theatre Company’s new production has a lot of “and” in it. And it’s a familial comedy, and is set in a threatened home on a cherry orchard, and elements of the show are derived from Anton Chekhov, and you don’t necessarily need to know him … and I thought Anton Chekhov was a brand of vodka and now I feel silly. The University of Utah’s Department of Theatre brings Thornton Wilder’s phenomenal play HELLO, DOLLY! to the campus stage. I adore anything based on the fallacy of matchmaking … screw you OkCupid! The Utah Opera stages THE MERRY WIDOW. Hannah, the merry widow (because she has more money than GOP presidential hopeful Donald Trump), is looking for true love. God I hope she’s not on OkCupid.
7
THURSDAY — VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE
Studio Theatre, Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. 300 South, times vary, through Jan. 30. Tickets $15, arttix.org
15
FRIDAY — HELLO, DOLLY!
Kingsbury Hall, 1395 E. Presidents Cir., UofU, times vary,
through Sunday. Tickets $18, kingtix.com
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SATURDAY — THE MERRY WIDOW Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 South, times vary, through Jan. 24. Ticket prices $10-88, arttix.org
UPCOMING EVENTS FEBRUARY 13, San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, Eccles Center, Park City, ecclescenter.org APRIL 16, Ellie Goulding, Maverik Center, maverikcenter.com
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UMFA to host free weekend before remodel Visit the Utah Museum of Fine Arts a last time before they pause their exhibition program and close temporarily for remodeling and reinstallation. The Marcia and John Price Museum Building will close Jan. 18 and is anticipated to reopen Spring 2017.
LONG LIVE ART! PARTY SCHEDULE Saturday, January 16:
Backstage with the Creators of Invisible Thread Park City knows Matt Gould and Griffin Matthews as the creators of the Broadwaybound musical WITNESS UGANDA – now renamed INVISIBLE THREAD. This tale of triumph and tragedy set in Uganda (where Matthews traveled on a humanitarian mission in 2005 while grappling with his New York City church’s lack of acceptance of his homosexuality), combines Afro-pop music
and heart-wrenching narratives as it tackles the question: Is changing the world even possible? The powerful evening with the awardwinning co-creators is part concert, part storytelling, part call to action. The show will take place Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. at the Eccles Center Main Stage, 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, Utah. Tickets at ecclescenter.org
11am Behind the Scenes: Caring for the Collection (collections storage tour*) 12pm Curator’s Pick gallery talk 12:30pm Curator’s Pick gallery talk 1–4pm Third Saturday for Families: Scarabs 1–6pm Food trucks: Cupbop, Saturday’s Waffle 4 pm Behind the Scenes: Caring for the Collection (collections storage tour*) 5 pm Dance performances in the Great Hall 6 pm SENSEsational: Accessing Art through the Senses (tour) 7–8:30pm Troublemakers: The Story of Land Art 8:30pm–midnight Dance party with DJ Lishus
Sunday, January 17:
11am Chamber music in the galleries 12pm Yoga 1pm Curator’s Pick gallery talk 1:30pm Curator’s Pick gallery talk 2pm Dance performances in the Great Hall 3–4:30pm The Painting * Tours limited to 15 peopleEddit Redmayne
Film of first male-to-female sex reassignment recipient getting Oscar buzz Eddie Redmayne is once again eyeing some major awards this season with his role in The Danish Girl. Right off the tails of his Oscar for his portrayal of a young Stephen Hawking in the Theory of Everything, Redmayne has taken on another inspiring, yet complex character. In The Danish Girl, he undergoes a massive transformation to help portray another true story on the big screen. The movie is based on a book of the same name, written by David Ebershoff. It is a semi-biographical drama that tells the remarkable story of Lili Elbe, the first known person to undergo sex reassignment surgery. Lili, who was born Einar Wegener, opted to transition into a female in the 1930s. At
this time, the surgery was completely experimental and groundbreaking, as Lili quickly became worldrenown after her journey became public. The movie starts in the early 1920s, when Lili was still Einar and married to his illustrator and artist wife, Gerda (played by actress Alicia Vikander). Not too long into the movie, Gerda asks for a favor from her husband. She asks Einar to step in for a female model she was supposed to paint. Kindly, Einar agrees to do so and both he and his wife are shocked when the paintings of him as a woman are incredibly well received. The film will play at the Broadway Theatre in Salt Lake City, opening Christmas day.
THE DANISH GIRL
Starring Academy Award Winner Eddie Redmayne Opens 12/25 @broadway
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Q Guide to Sundance Film Festival
SWISS ARMY MAN
U.S.A. (DIRECTORS AND SCREENWRITERS: DANIEL SCHEINERT, DANIEL KWAN)
Hank, a hopeless man stranded in the wild, discovers a mysterious dead body. Together the two embark on an epic journey to get home. As Hank realizes the body is the key to his survival, this once-suicidal man is forced to convince a dead body that life is worth living.
These are our mustsee films for this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Queer content is in pink.
CAST: PAUL DANO, DANIEL RADCLIFFE, MARY ELIZABETH WINSTEAD. WORLD PREMIERE
TALLULAH
U.S.A. (DIRECTOR AND SCREENWRITER: SIAN HEDER)
A rootless young woman takes a toddler from a wealthy, negligent mother and passes the baby off as her own in an effort to protect her. This decision connects and transforms the lives of three very different women.
U.S. DRAMATIC COMPETITION THE BIRTH OF A NATION
U.S.A. (DIRECTOR AND SCREENWRITER: NATE PARKER)
Set against the antebellum South, this story follows Nat Turner, a literate slave and preacher whose financially strained owner, Samuel Turner, accepts an offer to use Nat’s preaching to subdue unruly slaves. After witnessing countless atrocities against fellow slaves, Nat devises a plan to lead his people to freedom. CAST: NATE PARKER, ARMIE HAMMER, AJA NAOMI KING, JACKIE EARLE HALEY, GABRIELLE UNION, MARK BOONE JR. WORLD PREMIERE
GOAT
U.S.A. (DIRECTOR: ANDREW NEEL, SCREENWRITERS: DAVID GORDON GREEN, ANDREW NEEL, MICHAEL ROBERTS)
Reeling from a terrifying assault, a 19-year-old boy pledges his brother’s fraternity in an attempt to prove his manhood. What happens there, in the name
of “brotherhood,” tests both the boys and their relationship in brutal ways. CAST: NICK JONAS, BEN SCHNETZER, VIRGINIA GARDNER, DANNY FLAHERTY, AUSTIN LYON. WORLD PREMIERE
LOVESONG
U.S.A. (DIRECTOR: SO YONG KIM, SCREENWRITERS: SO YONG KIM, BRADLEY RUST GRAY)
Neglected by her husband, Sarah embarks on an impromptu road trip with her young daughter and her best friend, Mindy. Along the way, the dynamic between the two friends intensifies before circumstances force them apart. Years later, Sarah attempts to rebuild their intimate connection in the days before Mindy’s wedding. CAST: JENA MALONE, RILEY KEOUGH, BROOKLYN DECKER, AMY SEIMETZ, RYAN EGGOLD, ROSANNA ARQUETTE. WORLD PREMIERE
MORRIS FROM AMERICA
SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU
Thirteen-year-old Morris, a hip-hop loving American, moves to Heidelberg, Germany, with his father. In this completely foreign land, he falls in love with a local girl, befriends his German tutor-turned-confidant, and attempts to navigate the unique trials and tribulations of adolescence.
Chronicles a single day in the summer of 1989 when the future president of the United States, Barack Obama, wooed his future First Lady on an epic first date across Chicago’s South Side.
U.S.A., GERMANY (DIRECTOR AND SCREENWRITER: CHAD HARTIGAN)
U.S.A. (DIRECTOR AND SCREENWRITER: RICHARD TANNE)
CAST: TIKA SUMPTER, PARKER SAWYERS, VANESSA BELL CALLOWAY. WORLD PREMIERE
SPA NIGHT
U.S.A. (DIRECTOR AND SCREENWRITER: ANDREW AHN)
U.S.A. (DIRECTOR AND SCREENWRITER: CHRIS KELLY)
A struggling comedy writer, fresh from breaking up with his boyfriend, moves to Sacramento to help his sick mother. Living with his conservative father and younger sisters, David feels like a stranger in his childhood home. As his mother worsens, he tries to convince everyone (including himself) he’s “doing okay.” CAST: JESSE PLEMONS, MOLLY SHANNON, BRADLEY WHITFORD, MAUDE APATOW, ZACH WOODS, JUNE SQUIBB. WORLD PREMIERE. DAY ONE FILM
U.S. DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION
AUTHOR: THE JT LEROY STORY U.S.A. (DIRECTOR: JEFF FEUERZEIG)
CAST: MARKEES CHRISTMAS, CRAIG ROBINSON, CARLA JURI, LINA KELLER, JAKUB GIERSZAŁ, LEVIN HENNING. WORLD PREMIERE
OTHER PEOPLE
CAST: ELLEN PAGE, ALLISON JANNEY, TAMMY BLANCHARD, EVAN JONIGKEIT, UZO ADUBA. WORLD PREMIERE
A young Korean-American man works to reconcile his obligations to his struggling immigrant family with his burgeoning sexual desires in the underground world of gay hookups at Korean spas in Los Angeles. CAST: JOE SEO, HAERRY KIM, YOUN HO CHO, TAE SONG, HO YOUNG CHUNG, LINDA HAN. WORLD PREMIERE
The definitive look inside the mysterious case of 16-year-old literary sensation JT LeRoy—a creature so perfect for his time that if he didn’t exist, someone would have had to invent him. Perhaps someone did? The strangest story about story ever told. WORLD PREMIERE
GLEASON
U.S.A. (DIRECTOR: CLAY TWEEL)
At the age of 34, Steve Gleason, former NFL defensive back and New Orleans hero, was diagnosed with ALS. Doctors gave him two to five years to live. So that is what Steve chose to do: Live—both for his wife and newborn son and to help others with this disease. WORLD PREMIERE
GUIDE TO SUNDANCE | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 33
january 2016 | issue 251 | gaysaltlake.com
HOLY HELL
NEWTOWN
TRAPPED
Just out of college, a young filmmaker joins a loving, secretive, and spiritual community led by a charismatic teacher in 1980s West Hollywood. Twenty years later, the group is shockingly torn apart. Told through two decades of the filmmaker’s archival materials, this is their story.
After joining the ranks of a growing club no one wants to belong to, the people of Newtown, Conn. weave an intimate story of resilience. This film traces the aftermath of the worst mass shooting of schoolchildren in American history as the traumatized community finds a new sense of purpose.
American abortion clinics are in a fight for survival. Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (TRAP) laws are increasingly being passed by states that maintain they ensure women’s safety and health, but as clinics continue to shut their doors, opponents believe the real purpose of these laws is to outlaw abortion.
U.S.A. (DIRECTOR: UNDISCLOSED)
WORLD PREMIERE
JIM
U.S.A. (DIRECTOR: BRIAN OAKES)
The public execution of American conflict journalist James Foley captured the world’s attention, but he was more than just a man in an orange jumpsuit. Seen through the lens of his close childhood friend, Jim moves from adrenaline-fueled front lines and devastated neighborhoods of Syria into the hands of ISIS. WORLD PREMIERE
U.S.A. (DIRECTOR: KIM A. SNYDER)
WORLD PREMIERE
NUTS!
The mostly true story of Dr. John Romulus Brinkley, an eccentric genius who built an empire with his goat-testicle impotence cure and a million-watt radio station. Animated reenactments, interviews, archival footage, and one seriously unreliable narrator trace his rise from poverty to celebrity and influence in 1920s America.
KIKI
Through a strikingly intimate and visually daring lens, Kiki offers a riveting, complex insight into a safe space created and governed by LGBTQ youths of color, who are demanding happiness and political power. The film is an exciting coming-of-age story about agency, resilience, and the transformative art form of voguing.
THE SAINT OF DRY CREEK
U.S.A., UNITED KINGDOM (DIRECTOR: AARON BROOKNER)
Howard Brookner’s first film, Burroughs: The Movie, captured the cultural revolution of downtown New York City in the early ‘80s. Twenty-five years after his promising career was cut short by AIDS, his nephew sets out to discover Howard’s neverbefore-seen films to create a cinematic elegy about his childhood idol.
Patrick Haggarty was a teenager in rural Dry Creek, Wash. in the late 1950s, Here, he remembers the day he first had a conversation with his father about being gay. Screens with Suited.
WEINER
Owen Suskind, an autistic boy who could not speak for years, slowly emerged from his isolation by immersing himself in Disney animated movies. Using these films as a roadmap, he reconnects with his loving family and the wider world in this emotional coming-of-age story. From the director of God Loves Uganda
Bindle & Keep, a Brooklyn tailoring company, makes custom suits for a growing legion of gender-nonconforming clients. Screens with The Saint of Dry Creek.
U.S.A. (DIRECTOR: JASON BENJAMIN)
WORLD PREMIERE
SKY LADDER: THE ART OF CAI GUO-QIANG
U.S.A. (DIRECTOR: KEVIN MACDONALD)
Having reached the pinnacle of the global art world with his signature explosion events and gunpowder drawings, world-famous Chinese contemporary artist Cai Guo-Qiang is still seeking more. We trace his rise from childhood in Mao’s China and his journey to attempt to realize his lifelong obsession, Sky Ladder. SONITA
GERMANY, IRAN, SWITZERLAND (DIRECTOR: ROKHSAREH GHAEM MAGHAMI)
If 18-year-old Sonita had a say, Michael Jackson and Rihanna would be her parents and she’d be a rapper who tells the story of Afghan women and their fate as child brides. She finds out that her family plans to sell her to an unknown husband for $9,000. NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
NEXT
U.S.A. (DIRECTORS: JOSH KRIEGMAN, ELYSE STEINBERG)
With unrestricted access to Anthony Weiner’s New York City mayoral campaign, this film reveals the human story behind the scenes of a high-profile political scandal as it unfolds, and offers an unfiltered look at how much today’s politics is driven by an appetite for spectacle. WORLD PREMIERE
SUITED
WORLD PREMIERE
UNCLE HOWARD
WORLD PREMIERE
U.S.A. (DIRECTOR: ROGER ROSS WILLIAMS)
WORLD CINEMA DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION
WORLD PREMIERE. DAY ONE FILM
U.S.A. (DIRECTOR JULIE ZAMMARCHI)
WORLD PREMIERE
LIFE, ANIMATED
WORLD PREMIERE
U.S.A. (DIRECTOR: PENNY LANE)
WORLD PREMIERE
U.S.A., SWEDEN (DIRECTOR: SARA JORDENÖ)
U.S.A. (DIRECTOR: DAWN PORTER)
THE FITS
U.S.A., ITALY (DIRECTOR: ANNA ROSE HOLMER, SCREENWRITERS: ANNA ROSE HOLMER, SAELA DAVIS, LISA KJERULFF)
In this psychological portrait, Toni, an 11-year-old tomboy, is assimilating into a tight-knit dance team in Cincinnati’s West End when a mysterious outbreak of fainting spells plagues the team, and her desire for acceptance is twisted. CAST: ROYALTY HIGHTOWER, ALEXIS NEBLETT, DA’SEAN MINOR, LAUREN GIBSON, MAKYLA BURNAM, INAYAH RODGERS. NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
PREMIERES AGNUS DEI
(FRANCE-POLAND / DIRECTOR: ANNE FONTAINE, SCREENWRITERS: SABRINA N. KARINE, ALICE VIAL, PASCAL BONITZER)
1945 Poland: Mathilde, a young French doctor, is on a mission to help World War II survivors. When a nun seeks her assistance in helping several pregnant nuns in hiding, who are unable to reconcile their faith with their pregnancies, Mathilde becomes their only hope. CAST: LOU DE LAAGE, AGATA KULESZA, AGATA BUZEK, VINCENT MACAIGNE, JOANNA KULIG, KATARZYNA DABROWSKA.
FIRST GIRL I LOVED
U.S.A. (DIRECTOR AND SCREENWRITER: KEREM SANGA)
Seventeen-year-old Anne just fell in love with Sasha, the most popular girl at her L.A. public high school. But when Anne tells her best friend, Clifton—who has always harbored a secret crush on her—he does his best to get in the way. CAST: DYLAN GELULA, BRIANNA HILDEBRAND, MATEO ARIAS, JENNIFER PREDIGER, TIM HEIDECKER, PAMELA ADLON. WORLD PREMIERE
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
DIRECTOR AND SCREENWRITER: MATT ROSS)
Deep in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, a father devoted to raising his six kids with a rigorous physical and intellectual education is forced to leave his paradise and re-enter society, beginning a journey that challenges his idea of what it means to be a parent. CAST: VIGGO MORTENSEN, FRANK LANGELLA, GEORGE MACKAY, KATHRYN HAHN, STEVE ZAHN, ANN DOWD.
CERTAIN WOMEN
DIRECTOR: KELLY REICHARDT, SCREENWRITER: KELLY REICHARDT BASED ON STORIES BY MAILE MELOY)
The lives of three woman intersect in small-town America, where each is imperfectly blazing a trail. CAST: LAURA DERN, KRISTEN STEWART, MICHELLE WILLIAMS, JAMES LE GROS, JARED HARRIS, LILY GLADSTONE.
34 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | GUIDE TO SUNDANCE
Q Guide to Sundance Film Festival Continued
THE FUNDAMENTALS OF CARING DIRECTOR AND SCREENWRITER: ROB BURNETT)
Having suffered a tragedy, Ben becomes a caregiver to earn money. His first client, Trevor, is a hilarious 18-year-old with muscular dystrophy. One paralyzed emotionally, one paralyzed physically, Ben and Trevor hit the road, finding hope, friendship, and Dot in this funny and touching inspirational tale. CAST: PAUL RUDD, CRAIG ROBERTS, SELENA GOMEZ, JENNIFER EHLE, MEGAN FERGUSON, FREDERICK WELLER. (CLOSING-NIGHT FILM)
HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE
NEW ZEALAND (DIRECTOR AND SCREENWRITER: TAIKA WAITITI)
Ricky is a defiant young city kid who finds himself on the run with his cantankerous foster uncle in the wild New Zealand bush. A national manhunt ensues, and the two are forced to put aside their differences and work together to survive in this heartwarming adventure comedy. CAST: JULIAN DENNISON, SAM NEILL, RIMA TE WIATA, RACHEL HOUSE, OSCAR KIGHTLEY.
gaysaltlake.com | issue 251 | january 2016
LOVE & FRIENDSHIP
IRELAND-FRANCE-NETHERLANDS / DIRECTOR AND SCREENWRITER: WHIT STILLMAN)
LITTLE MEN
U.S.A. (DIRECTOR: IRA SACHS, SCREENWRITERS: MAURICIO ZACHARIAS, IRA SACHS)
When 13-year-old Jake’s grandfather dies, his family moves back into their old Brooklyn home. There, Jake befriends Tony, whose single Chilean mother runs the shop downstairs. As their friendship deepens, however, their families are driven apart by a battle over rent, and the boys respond with a vow of silence. CAST: GREG KINNEAR, JENNIFER EHLE, PAULINA GARCIA, THEO TAPLITZ, MICHAEL BARBIERI. WORLD PREMIERE
From Jane Austen’s novella, the beautiful and cunning Lady Susan Vernon visits the estate of her in-laws to wait out colorful rumors of her dalliances and to find husbands for herself and her daughter. Two young men, handsome Reginald DeCourcy and wealthy Sir James Martin, severely complicate her plans.
IRELAND / DIRECTOR AND SCREENWRITER: JOHN CARNEY)
A boy growing up in Dublin during the 80s escapes his strained family life and tough new school by starting a band to win the heart of a beautiful and mysterious girl. CAST: FERDIA WALSH-PEELO, LUCY BOYNTON, JACK REYNOR, AIDAN GILLEN, MARK MCKENNA.
SOPHIE AND THE RISING SUN
DIRECTOR AND SCREENWRITER: MAGGIE GREENWALD)
CAST: KATE BECKINSALE, CHLOE SEVIGNY, XAVIER SAMUEL, EMMA GREENWELL, TOM BENNETT, STEPHEN FRY.
MANCHESTER BY THE SEA DIRECTOR AND SCREENWRITER: KENNETH LONERGAN)
After his older brother passes away, Lee Chandler is forced to return home to care for his 16-yearold nephew. There he is compelled to deal with a tragic past that separated him from his family and the community where he was born and raised. CAST: CASEY AFFLECK, MICHELLE WILLIAMS, LUCAS HEDGES, KYLE CHANDLER.
SING STREET
In a small Southern town in the autumn of 1941, Sophie’s lonely life is transformed when an Asian man arrives under mysterious circumstances. Their love affair becomes the lightning rod for long-buried conflicts that erupt in bigotry and violence with the outbreak of World War ll. Cast: Julianne Nicholson, Margo Martindale, Lorraine Toussaint, Takashi Yamaguchi, Diane Ladd, Joel Murray. (SALT LAKE CITY GALA FILM)
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GUIDE TO SUNDANCE | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 35
january 2016 | issue 251 | gaysaltlake.com
WIENER-DOG
This film tells several stories featuring people who find their life inspired or changed by one particular dachshund, who seems to be spreading comfort and joy. CAST: GRETA GERWIG, KIERAN CULKIN, DANNY DEVITO, ELLEN BURSTYN, JULIE DELPY, ZOSIA MAMET.
DOCUMENTARY PREMIERES
FILM HAWK
DIRECTORS: JJ GARVINE, TAI PARQUET)
Trace Bob Hawk’s early years as the young gay child of a Methodist minister to his current career as a consultant on some of the most influential independent films of our time.
“UNDER THE GUN
“MICHAEL JACKSON’S JOURNEY FROM MOTOWN TO OFF THE WALL
DIRECTOR AND SCREENWRITER: TODD SOLONDZ)
DIRECTOR: STEPHANIE SOECHTIG)
DIRECTOR: SPIKE LEE)
MAPPLETHORPE: LOOK AT THE PICTURES
DIRECTORS: FENTON BAILEY, RANDY BARBATO)
This examination of Robert Mapplethorpe’s outrageous life is led by the artist himself, speaking with brutal honesty in a series of rediscovered interviews about his passions. Intimate revelations from friends, family, and lovers shed new light on this scandalous artist who ignited a culture war that still rages on.
Catapulted by the success of his first major solo project, Off the Wall, Michael Jackson went from child star to King of Pop. This film explores the seminal album, with rare archival footage and interviews from those who were there and those whose lives its success and legacy impacted. NORMAN LEAR: JUST ANOTHER VERSION OF YOU DIRECTORS: HEIDI EWING, RACHEL GRADY)
How did a poor Jewish kid from Connecticut bring us Archie Bunker and become one of the most successful television producers ever? Norman Lear brought provocative subjects like war, poverty, and prejudice into 120 million homes every week. He proved that social change was possible through an unlikely prism: laughter. World Premiere. (Day One film)
“NOTHING LEFT UNSAID: GLORIA VANDERBILT & ANDERSON COOPER DIRECTOR: LIZ GARBUS)
Gloria Vanderbilt and her son Anderson Cooper each tell the story of their past and present, their loves and losses, and reveal how some family stories have the tendency to repeat themselves in the most unexpected ways.
The Sandy Hook massacre was considered a watershed moment in the national debate on gun control, but the body count at the hands of gun violence has only increased. Through the lens of the victims’ families, as well as pro-gun advocates, we examine why our politicians have failed to act.
SPOTLIGHT GREEN ROOM
U.S.A. (DIRECTOR AND SCREENWRITER: JEREMY SAULNIER)
This wickedly fun horrorthriller tells a story about the owner of a neoNazi club who squares off against an unsuspecting but resilient young punk band after they witness a horrific act of violence. CAST: ANTON YELCHIN, IMOGEN POOTS, ALIA SHAWKAT, JOE COLE, CALLUM TURNER, PATRICK STEWART.
More information on Sundance and a full film schedule is at sundance.org
G U I D E ninth & ninth 254 s main
coffee garden
NICE BITES
LesMadeleines_svcgd.pdf 1 11/15/2015 9:35:07 PM
Inspired by the world travels of Pastry Chef Romina Rasmussen 216 E 500 S 801-355-2294 lesmadeleines.com
239 S 500 E 8 0 1- 3 6 4 - 4 6 5 5 RY E S LC.COM
36 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | COMICS
BRONICORNS! — The adventures of two brothers going to BYU
gaysaltlake.com | issue 251 | january 2016
Brought to you by UGSA BYU, by Aaron Austin and Nathan Cunliffe
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: HINT: BLOWHARD
MALT DUD PORN
______ _____
cryptogram A CRYPTOGRAM IS A PUZZLE WHERE ONE LETTER IN THE PUZZLE IS SUBSTITUTED WITH ANOTHER. FOR EXAMPLE: ECOLVGNCYXW YCR EQYIIRZNBZN YZU PSZ! HAS THE SOLUTION: CRYPTOGRAMS ARE CHALLENGING AND FUN! IN THE ABOVE EXAMPLE ES ARE ALL REPLACED BY CS. THE PUZZLE IS SOLVED BY RECOGNIZING LETTER PATTERNS IN WORDS AND SUCCESSIVELY SUBSTITUTING LETTERS UNTIL THE SOLUTION IS REACHED. THIS WEEK’S HINT: S=V
YHHR CK KTCK NCEI! XHGYW COFHOI SHKI NHQ KTCK? ECO FHG DBCUDOI KTCK, KTI NCEI HN HGQ OIJK MQIVDWIOK? ___ __ ____ ____! ______ ____ ___ ____? ___ ___ _______ ____, ___ ___ __ ___ ____ _________? PUZZLE ANSWERS ON PAGE 54
january 2016 | issue 251 | gaysaltlake.com
COMICS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 37
38 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | PETS
gaysaltlake.com | issue 251 | january 2016 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: Medium
2 4 8 5 6 2 7 Resolution #4:
8
3 5
6 9 7 8 2 1 8 3
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january 2016 | issue 251 | gaysaltlake.com
Pet Month of the
Off-Leash Dog Parks
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40 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | A&E
gaysaltlake.com | issue 251 | january 2016
q scopes
JANUARY BY SAM KELLEY-MILLS ARIES March 20–April 19 There are many celebrations With the rise of a new perspective comes a changing personal view. Open your mind to exploration of yourself, and discover new pleasures. A friend has a tendency to drive you insane, so be less available to their presence. Things will flow better at work, and finances will seamlessly fall into place. An amazing time. TAURUS Apr 20–May 20 Have a good talk to the mirror and work out overbearing entanglements. A relationship is bound to improve, but now is the time to make key changes in personal matters. Adopt a sense of compassion when dealing with a child or cherished pet. There is nothing wrong with things going well, so believe they can.
In Gay Colors ACROSS 1 Brown’s Cat on the ___ 6 Cicero’s singular 10 Asks from one’s knees 14 After Delores author Schulman 15 Big ones in porn films, sometimes 16 Focused on one’s work 17 Not novel 18 Lesbos love 19 Delany of Desperate Housewives 20 Obsession with facial hair 23 Almost ready for the tooth fairy 24 Make airtight 25 Charades, basically 28 Prick 29 Peace Nobelist Wiesel 30 Eurythmics’ “Would ___ to You?” 33 Pub round 37 Kind of man, in Oz 38 Life style of hairy gay guys 40 One to ten, e.g. 42 Saltine brand 43 DeLaria of Orange Is the New Black 44 Journeys like a postTrojan War epic
46 Buck feature 48 Lady Sings the Blues star 49 Queens ballpark 50 Sci-fi that uses technology and aesthetic designs 54 Artist Aaron, who’s style has been described as a combination of 20-, 38-, and 50-Across 58 Do road work 59 “Let me repeat ...” 61 160 square rods 62 Disney’s ___ and the Detectives 63 Lets up 64 Bear’s den 65 Where you can eat a hero 66 Bitchy warning 67 Mireille of World War Z
DOWN 1 One that comes quickly 2 Eat pasta, with “up” 3 Buffalo’s lake 4 Barney, who romanced Romaine 5 Aileen Wuornos portrayer Charlize 6 Boat bottom bumpers 7 Be in harmony 8 What an athletic supporter might do? 9 Help out
10 Whoopi’s ill-fitting garb in Sister Act? 11 Online prostitution? 12 Big name in cutters 13 Terence of Billy Budd 21 Stray on the range 22 Earhart’s “Friendship” and others 25 Gide’s subway 26 Homer-erotic tale? 27 Of a coin factory? 28 Brief moments in the “Kama Sutra” 31 Turning tray for Anthony? 32 Incenses 34 Void’s partner 35 It can bear fruit 36 Brown quickly 38 It’s a bust 39 Place for Young men? 41 One from the land of the circumcised 45 Lays eyes on 47 Some like it hot 49 Biathlete, for one 50 Went lickety-split 51 Meek and mild 52 Apt anagram for vile 53 Org. that could help you see Uranus 55 “___ do anything better than you” 56 Dixie Chicks, e.g. 57 Word on either bride’s towel 60 Data transmission letters ANSWERS ON PAGE 54
bility. Ultimately, the end result reflects you, and perceptions of others do matter sometimes. Chill carefully. SCORPIO Oct. 23–Nov. 21 It’s a great time to travel or enjoy adventurous activities. Developments in the workplace will provide relief. Stress has been a defining factor recently, becoming almost invisible. Someone will try causing drama, but only to get your attention. Overcome them with aggressive love. Both of you will enjoy it immensely. SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22–December 20. Biggest is better if you can handle pressure. Now is a time to stockpile resources, as gifts and money seem to be common for some reason. An authority figure will be helpful regarding an important matter. Don’t be afraid asking for help. Placing trust in others is vital to staying ahead of the game.
GEMINI May 21–June 20 The way to avoid confrontation is to clearly define how little irrelevant issues matter to you. Don’t get pulled into family or work related drama and focus on what really matters. An increase in inspiration is in the cards, and a production of meaningful works will garner some much welcome attention.
CAPRICORN Dec 21–Jan 19 Your self-image is not in lime with the common perception others have. To garner favor with someone you care about, an adjustment may be necessary. Don’t compromise, but display things that matter the most on your sleeve. A work associate will extend an invite for getting more personally involved
CANCER June 21–July 22 Stripping of old problems is a good way to deal with the new ones. Fresh challenges will present themselves. Remember that less burden equals more flexibility. Everyone around is seemingly having fun, but resist the urge to compare yourself to them. Everyone suffers in silence a little, and it’s best to mind this fact.
AQUARIUS Jan. 20–Feb. 18 An unlikely job opportunity will emerge, leaving much to be sorted out. Don’t fear taking time in making the right choice, and keep the future in mind. The best things come to those who wait, but don’t hesitate long regarding a financial matter. A good aim is vital to making the shots count, but choose a target first.
LEO July 23–August 22 The forces driving a decision are likely based on flawed perceptions. Give carefully thought when dealing with a sensitive individual or plans could backfire. A compromising position could leave you breathless, so take time in order to ensure full effect. It’s a good time for taking it easy, so make relaxation a priority for once.
PISCES Feb 19–Mar 19 A truly bothersome family issue causes confusion. A clear head is the best way to create a clear path, so take some time to adjust perceptions. Supportive friends are there, but don’t ask more of them than they can handle. It’s a delicate time, but you have the power to making everything flow better. Stay focuse. Q
VIRGO August 23–Sep. 22 A distant friend or family member is thinking of you. Call or send a message to show how much you care. Something crucial has been forgotten in the busy pace of life, so take stock of personal responsibilities. With several friends taking new paths in their lives, don’t fret if some are despondent for a while. It’s not personal. LIBRA Sept 23–October 22 Things are slow at work and things are going too good to believe. Explore new ideals but put off action until risks are minimal. A loved one or partner is happy to help with a big project, but don’t relinquish all responsi-
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42 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | HEALTH
gaysaltlake.com | issue 251 | january 2016
positive thoughts
HIV: Yep, It’s Still a Thing A few
BY MYLES HELFAND
weeks ago, it became official: HIV is loathsome. It all had started so innocently: Back in 2013, the New York State Division of Human Rights posted a public awareness ad that featured the image of a woman alongside the text “I AM POSITIVE(+)” and “I HAVE RIGHTS.” The intent was to inform people with HIV that the state’s laws protected them from discrimination. The folks who created the ad grabbed the model’s photo from Getty Images, a stock photo service. Only the model in that picture, Avril Nolan, didn’t have HIV – and she didn’t want anyone thinking she did. Heck, can you blame her? I hear people get unlawfully discriminated against for having that virus! Someone should put out an ad reminding folks about that.
TEA
H A T MU
nt t o e me v o t i ng ts m is an rassroo rage tes y l d fo r cou r ie n yet g Mr F ational, f HIV, en ity of life s. l y n o a a inter stigma rove qu endly w i e p r c f m u i red V, and I V in I th H fo r H l i v i n g w i e AH t hos yUT e at Friendl r o m m ou t / Tea Find ok.com bo f a ce The new face of HIV awareness
Anyway, Nolan (and her lawyers) sued the state for defamation. In October, a New York State Court of Claims judge ruled that she (and her lawyers) was right, and that her lawsuit could continue. The judge was reasonable. The judge was rational. The judge was, let’s face it, realistic. “It would be hoped that an indication that someone ... has been diagnosed as HIV positive would not be viewed as indicative of some failure of moral fiber, or of some communicable danger, however our society is not so advanced,” Judge Thomas H. Scuccimarra wrote in his decision. He added that the ad’s incorrect portrayal “that Ms. Nolan is presently diagnosed as HIV positive, from the perspective of the average person, clearly subjects her to public contempt, ridicule, aversion or disgrace and constitutes defamation per se.” (“Defamation per se” is legal term that’s typically employed when a person has been falsely accused of having a “loathsome” disease, according to the New York Law Journal.) In other words, this is where our society is at today, more than 30 years into our tumultuous relationship with HIV in the U.S.: People are still afraid to be associated with the virus for fear they’ll be discriminated against – and that includes people who appear in ads informing the public that people with HIV can’t be discriminated against. My head hurts. This is the awful environment in which Charlie Sheen decided to publicly disclose on Nov. 17 that he was one of well over a million people in the U.S., and one of roughly 35 million folks on the planet, who are living with a particular virus inside their bodies. You’ve already heard more than enough about Charlie Sheen lately; you probably don’t need me to retread that ground. (In case you do, note that TheBody.com and all of the websites who team up for this column have written some outstanding content covering various angles of the story online.) But the Nolan defamation
case testifies to just how desperate Sheen’s situation must have become that he felt he needed get his status out in the open – out into a public that, generally, still finds HIV-positive people worth contempt, ridicule, aversion and disgrace. Every Dec. 1, humanity marks World AIDS Day. We see HIV covered extensively on the Web, in newspapers, on radio and on TV. We witness public awareness events, testing campaigns and speeches – at least one of which will have taken place somewhere pretty close to you, given that HIV affects every type of person in every region of the country (and the planet). Experts rattle off all sorts of big, sobering, scary numbers, and they talk about prevention, treatment and the search for a cure. Politicians politicize, activists advocate, blowhards bloviate. The efforts around World AIDS Day often seem shallow or pointless to many of us, and I’m sure a lot of them are. It’s
easy for a grass-roots movement to lose some of its sense of soul when its primary day of activism becomes a regularly scheduled event.
But let’s not forget what the point of all this is. The point is that having HIV doesn’t make someone a bad person. Being a person living with HIV is not comparable to any other state of existence: You’re not a smoking gun, you’re not a car with no brakes, you’re not a ticking time bomb. You’re a person living with HIV, a treatable virus. Avril Nolan shouldn’t feel like she has to sue somebody to avoid being associated with it. Charlie Sheen shouldn’t feel like he has to go on national TV and tell the world he has it so that people will stop blackmailing him. Living with HIV isn’t loathsome; the way we treat people with HIV too often is. We need to do better – and we can, each of us, one person at a time. Hopefully Avril Nolan and Charlie Sheen will help. Hopefully, one day soon, HIV anti-discrimination ads will be unnecessary, defamation lawsuits won’t need to happen, and the decision to disclose one’s HIV status in public will be a matter of personal preference, not compulsion. Q Myles Helfand is the editorial director of TheBody.com and TheBodyPRO.com. Find him on Twitter @MylesatTheBody. This column is a project of Plus, Positively Aware, POZ, TheBody.com, Q Syndicate, and QSaltLake.
january 2016 | issue 251 | gaysaltlake.com
MANNERS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 43
mr. manners
Decisions, decisions BY ROCK MAGEN
When you
think about big changes, reengineering any aspect of your life, you think about January: the month of resolutions, of renewal, of re-positioning. If you start to pay attention to the world around you, you will notice that there is an entire industry devoted to the idea that “A New Year means a
New You.”
A prime example is the gym. Most gym’s in America would close their doors if they couldn’t sell memberships to those people who have held their guilt throughout the year until January and are now looking for a way to sweat out their holiday sins. But there is a reason why most New Year’s resolutions fail. Have you heard the old adage that, “those who fail to learn from history are bound to repeat it?” So this year I propose that before we start our changes we set some time aside as sacred, and reflect before we act. In my personal life I have held December as a time to evaluate the year that has passed. I am a firm believer that no January resolution will ever come to fruition without a time to reflect. I know some very successful individuals who actually schedule time in their calendar to reflect – I tend to use my holiday travel time as the chance to let my mind focus. I think about the ground I gained in the past year, and I look at it from career, fitness, relationship and happiness
perspectives. When I look at the changes I made, the attitude and approaches that gave me an advantage, and how I presented myself the overall goal is to celebrate the wins and then to know how I made it to that point. Once you have had your moment of glory, shift your thought process to the defeats you suffered. What did you bring to them, and how was the way you approached those failures different from the way you approached the wins? Why make a resolution for next year if you can’t figure out what worked and what didn’t the previous year? Get to know yourself and what you’re good at before trying to build a plan for the next year. Of course you can’t take time to reflect until you have had your holiday celebrations and opened all your presents. But this year I also want you to kick out that old adage and adopt this “new” one: “History follows many of us around like a second shadow. And while it’s easy to ignore, the smart ones acknowledge — and even invite — its presence.” It is my hope that you are among the smart ones, and invite the past to lead you in your resolution making. My best wishes for joy, celebration and reflection. I’ll see you next year, hopefully more confident and prosperous than I left you. Q Have a question for Mr. Manners? Email askmrmanners@qsaltlake.com
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44 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | NIGHTLIFE
gaysaltlake.com | issue 251 | january 2016
princess kennedy
(Proudly) Losing my religion Here we
BY PRINCESS KENNEDY
are at the close of another year. I would do a year in review but alas, mine can be summed up with a photo of a coffin — sad trombone soundbite. Instead I’ll write about the most prolific event of my year — and sadly my life — because honestly it was astoundingly lackluster. I’m talking about having my name stricken from the the Mormon membership record. Are we surprised at the decision of the LDS church and their big announcement regarding children of LGBTQ parents? Actually, I should just say LG because I doubt the Church acknowledges the B, T or Qs. The short answer is no; the reasoning is as follows: I probably have had a similar past with the church as many of you. I was born into it; started questioning it by the time I was a teenager; hated it enough to leave it at the age of consent; and, ipso facto, had nothing to do with it again.
Luckily I was strong-willed and overly confident so I didn’t let guilt and horrible people bring me down.
Frankly I pride myself on being too smart to give in to the ways of a cult, and I generally look down on all those who blindly follow the hateful teachings of the Church. I was forced to do stupid boy things like Boy Scouts, all the while being tortured by the other boys and scout leaders. My bishop suspected inappropriate behavior from me and another boy at sleep-away camp. He told us God thought us to be better dead than gay — the other boy killed himself the next day. On an off note, I can count on one hand the times I’ve been inside a ward house: grandma Beth’s funeral, grandmama Bernice’s funeral, grandpa Phil’s funeral and my father’s last August. I more or less look at a ward house as a maison de la mort with a bland buffet reminiscent of something you’d find at the Peppermill. Around the time I was twenty-something I wanted to free myself of the
proverbial chains that bind my soul forever to the Church’s records but back then (longer than I choose to reveal) it was a bit communistic the way they would try to fuck up your life. There was no letter mailed; you actually had to go in front of a hierarchical panel to ask to leave and they would berate you about the evils of your sins. If that wasn’t bad enough, they felt the need to call your family in too and get them in on the fun. They would even call your employer to let them know what’s up. Of course if your boss was affiliated with the Church you would be fired and the evils of that “sin” would follow you around from job to job. God, it was like being in a hair-pulling fight! I’d like to see them try any of that bullshit today; in fact, I’d welcome it for the sake of a multi-million dollar lawsuit. At the time I couldn’t deal with the consequences of leaving the Church; I had a father and grandfather with positions in the Church, and I worked at ZCMI. It was more hassle than I wanted so I moved out of state. I used my upbringing to gain attention and build a persona in the various big cities I lived in. Being a Mormon — nè drag queen — was quite a novelty. I had the three B’s of the stereotype: blonde, blue and beautiful. I did the only thing a girl in my position could and explored the fuck outta it! It totally worked until I moved back to Salt Lake and the novelty was lost. I couldn’t have moved back though at a better time. Not long after I did, the whole Prop 8 circus happened and the cries of the scared and dying teens were starting to be heard and it would seem the Church was being called out for the ugliness they stand for, and change would happen. You want to know the absolute stupid thing? When people on my social media would Mormon bash I would get offended and feel the need to defend my family. Stockholm syndrome much Heather? At the end of the day I think that is the common tie for most of us from the Faith. We
have family we are invested in and it’s hard to balance that fine line of respect, on both sides. My family found long ago a blissfulness in silence, as do most Mormons. Like a 1950’s housewife, unseemly things such as drug addiction, infidelity and cancer were just not talked about. It’s getting harder though as of late to keep it in at the Kennedy tavola con la famiglia. While at the aforementioned table, a very brave niece of mine said something to the effect of the comments on Facebook being stupid and that why can’t everyone go about their life. Not wanting to ruin dinner, I sat on it, masticating it with the Jell-o salad in the pit of my stomach until I cornered her (poor thing) in the guest room. “You know why?” I sneered whilst tapping my Lee Press-on on her breastbone. “Because this religion you love so much lives on a double standard. Families are forever? Ha! Do you even realize what they have done to these poor children? Do you!?” I ranted. “You’re right, who would want their children to be part of it? I wouldn’t, but they have made it okay to bully these kids, putting targets on there backs clearly marked ‘outcast’! When will what I went through 30 years ago going to stop, when will these old fucks who make the rules die and when will the new ones bring change? It was then and there that it hit me like the lightening bolt that struck down the laundry matron that publicly displayed missionaries garments in the old urban legend, I DON’T REALLY FUCKING CARE! I promptly had my name removed the next day. Bye Sister Felicia! I can count on one hand the times I’ve been inside a ward house: grandma Beth’s funeral, grandmama Bernice’s funeral, grandpa Phil’s funeral and my father’s last August. I more or less look at it as a maison de la mort with a bland buffet reminiscent of something you’d find at the Peppermill. Q
NIGHTLIFE | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 45
january 2016 | issue 251 | gaysaltlake.com
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46 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | FINAL WORD
gaysaltlake.com | issue 251 | january 2016
the perils of petunia pap smear
hold a hand stand the longest. So on my command, it was bums in the air. Happily for me, the one closest to me lost his balance and fell into me with my nose diving directly into his crack. Oh my! I swear it was an accident. After much frolicking, and pruning of skin, it was time to leave. Upon entering the dressing room, we found that several guys were complaining that their wallets, watches etc were missing. I went to my locker and found that all my clothes were missing. All I had to wear was my wet swimming suit and a towel for the 45-minute drive back to Logan. Burrrrrrr!
A Tale of a New Year BY PETUNIA PAP SMEAR
to form in my hair, it quickly became obvious that the pool was rather crowded. Happily, to my immense glee, there was a drunken group of about 20 hot, beef-cakey, frat boys frolicking in the water. (Blessed are we on this New Year’s Day.) In between clouds of steam, I was able to catch glimpses of the boys and they were mostly wearing Speedo style swimming trunks. (Heaven, I’m in heaven.) They were busy trying to prove which one of them was able to swim the furthest under water. Needless to say, due to the crowded condition of the pool, many a frat boy would bump into us, (Be still my beating heart.) with us occasionally catching a frat boy with our crotch, just like a net. They were drunk enough that they were also very flirty, and responded well and humorously to our banter. I, being public service oriented, offered to time and judge their races and contests. They were happy to have me run their races. Actually I think they just wanted a larger audience. At one point I became aware that the two hottest studs were in fact wearing just thongs, with both cheeks fully exposed. They decided to see who could
As always, these events leave us with several burning eternal questions. 1. If I had waited for an hour after eating before going swimming, could I have squeezed into a smaller swimming suit? 2. Is fitting into swimwear the reason for this rule? 3. Is a spandex fetish unhealthy? 4. Karma is indeed a bitch. Were my clothes stolen because I was drooling over the Speedo-clad frat boys, or because I nearly drowned the children when I first entered the pool? 5. When his bum hit me in the face, which one of us should have “Turned the other cheek?” These and other important questions to be answered in future chapters of: The Perils of Petunia Pap Smear. Q
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Marshmallow Man. Now, the mad dash to the hot pools before anyone can catch sight of my Aisle Blocker physique. After I placed my clothes in my locker, I draped my towel around my neck, partially for warmth, and partially to help disguise my impersonation of a Beached Whale, and began the arduous frozen trek to the pools. I opened the door and was hit by a blast of Arctic cold air. Naturally, when you are naked and encounter such a drop in temperature, I immediately felt the urge to pee. So I quickly retreat into the dressing room in order to go Number One. On the second try out the door, of course, the cement is all covered with ice, and in order to keep my balance, I could only take very small four-inch steps, thus I was moving slowly like a penguin, shivering violently all the way. Even though my feet were freezing, I could not go any faster. Luckily for me, there was so much steam rising from the pools that visibility was down to about 3 feet. Thus I was able to shield my Immense Bulkitude from serious scrutiny. Upon reaching the largest pool, in my haste to prevent becoming a living snow sculpture, I slipped and my Gravitationally Challenged Bodus Rotundus hit the water creating a tidal wave that capsized several small children floating on inner tubes. As parents scrambled to rescue their children, grateful to be in the warm water, my Heroically Proportioned Hippoglottamus assumed the inevitable roll of the Super Continent Pangea floating in the ocean. Once I began to acclimatize to the warm and steamy surroundings, and icicles began
3 6 1 7 2 4 8 9 5
to Crystal Hot Springs is fraught with danger and excitement. A New Years Day hangover is a dreadful thing. So, about 20 years ago, my friend Tim and I began a New Year’s Day tradition. First we drive to Perry, Utah and eat a mighty fine dinner at Maddox Ranch House. A great Utah tradition since 1949. Then, we dodge deer on the road in the 15-mile drive north to Honeyville, Utah and Crystal Hot Springs. Let me share with you about one time, ten years ago, which was an exceptionally memorable event. It was a dark, moonless night, and it was cold. Not just “I’m cold, I need a jacket” cold, but the “twenty degrees below zero, foggy, humid to the very center of your bones” cold. Over years of experience, we’ve learned that the lockers in the dressing room are not that secure, so I try and leave all my valuables in the car. There was a group of about six of us. We stumbled and slid on the icy pavement leading into the office. We huddled together, for warmth while we checked in. Upon entering the dressing room, we could tell that the place was very busy. There were clothes hanging everywhere. Almost every locker was filled. Finally I found an empty locker near the floor and counted myself lucky. I calmly waited until one of the private changing booths became unoccupied, so as not to frighten the children while I stripped off my girdle and pried my Gluttinus Maximus into my swimming suit. Sadly my Muffin Top has progressed into a Blubbernaught of Lard resembling the Stay Puft
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