QSaltLake Magazine - July 2017 Issue

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JULY 2017 ISSUE 269

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Our Guide to the 2017

LGBTQ Film Festival

A Year after the Orlando Pulse Massacre LGBTQ Cuba

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| FIRST 4 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE BEST OFWORD STATE

Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 269 | JULY 2017

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Opening Night

July 14 | 7:30pm

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July 15 | 7:30pm

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6 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE |

Utah Arts Festival

June 22-25 uaf.org The love of art brings us together. Whether we make it, study it, or simply experience it, art is something we can all gather around and enjoy. Join us this summer at Library Square!

Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 269 | JULY 2017

JULY 2017 | ISSUE 269 | Qsaltlake.com

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publisher/editor Michael Aaron

copy editor Tony Hobday designer Christian Allred sales Craig Ogan national advertising representative: Rivendell Media, 212-242-6863 sales@rivendellmedia.com contributors Joshua Adamson, Connie Anast-Inman, Diane Anderson-Minshall, Chris Azzopardi, Paul Berge, Jeff Berry, Dave Brousseau, Paul Campbell, Tyson Daley, Mikki Enoch, Jack Fertig, Greg Fox, Charles Lynn Frost, Oriol Gutierrez Jr., Tony Hobday, Joshua Jones, Christopher Katis, Rock Magen, Sam Mills, Mikey Rox, Gregg Shapiro, Petunia Pap Smear, Steven Petrow, Ed Sikov, Elaine Stehel, Ben ­Williams, D’Anne ­Witkowski distribution Bradley Jay Crookston,

James Enoch, Alana Luckart, Kevin Sevcik publisher

Salt Lick Publishing LLC 222 S Main St, Ste 500 (by appt.)

Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 tel: 801-997-9763

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QSaltLake Magazine is a trademark of Salt Lick Publishing, LLC. Copyright © 2017, Salt Lick Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted or reproduced without written permission from the publisher. 8–12,000 copies are distributed free of charge at over 300 locations across the state. Free copies are limited to one per person. For additional copies, call 801-997-9763. It is a crime to destroy or dispose of current issues or otherwise interfere with the distribution of this magazine. Printed in the USA on recycled paper. Please recycle this copy when done.

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Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 269 | JULY 2017

in this issue 32 Damn These Heels LGBT Film Fest All the films and schedule of the annual Salt Lake City LGBTQ Film Festival at youir fingertips.

28 LGBTQ Cuba Mark Segal visits Cuba 20 years after his first trip and notes a number of major changes

42

Interview with Olivia Newton John Our Chris Azzopardi spoke with Olivia Newton John shortly before her cancer rediagnosis.

NEWS ���������������������������������������������������������10 National and world news of the month Suspect arrested in Matthew Holt murder LDS pulls older teens from Boy Scouting LGBT Suicide conference VIEWS ���������������������������������������������������������18 Creep Scott Liveley I am Intersex and it’s not wrong Taking a bullet for your kids FEATURE �������������������������������������������������32 Damn These Heels Film Guide LGBTQ Cuba, Latinx and LGBTQ FOOD & DRINK ���������������������������������44 Summer party cocktails LIFESTYLE �����������������������������������������������60 I love Nico Tortorella Deep Inside Hollywood Pet page complete with off-leash park map

QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 9

JULY 2017 | ISSUE 269 | Qsaltlake.com

from the publisher A year after the Orlando Pulse massacre

A year

BY MICHAEL AARON

ago June 12, I was woken by my phone vibrating incessantly on the nightstand, even though it was in Do Not Disturb mode. It meant close friends were trying to reach me.

“Mass shooting at gay bar in Orlando.”

I grabbed a robe and ran back to the computer and began doing what I’m supposed to do —report things — but I was in “just the facts, ma’am” mode. Reaction of those reading me was that they wanted the stories of the dead. They didn’t want to know who did it, what he looked like or why.

They wanted to know the victims. They were right.

I was able to get the Orlando Police Department to add me to the press list, and as names were released, I started researching each, trying to find a photo and something about their life.

I sat in my robe for hours reading social media eulogies, trying to glean something from what little I could find on each person. It was draining, but it also became my way of coping.

I wondered almost aloud, what if this had been Salt Lake? A fear I’ve had since coming out and going to gay spaces resurfaced.

This must be our “never again.” We must strive to find ways to make something good come out of it. Each local community, including ours, must grow stronger from this.

What follows are the names of the 49 victims who died in the Pulse Nightclub Massacre.

Rest in power.

Stanley Almodovar III, 23 Amanda L. Alvear, 25 Oscar A. Aracena Montero, 26 Rodolfo Ayala Ayala, 33 Antonio Davon Brown, 29 Darryl Roman Burt II, 29 Angel Candelario-Padro, 28 Juan Chavez Martinez, 25 Luis Daniel Conde, 39 Cory James Connell, 21 Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25 Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32 Simón Adrian Carrillo Fernández, 31 Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25 Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26 Peter Ommy Gonzalez Cruz, 22 Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22 Paul Terrell Henry, 41 Frank Hernandez, 27 Miguel Angel Honorato, 30 Javier Jorge Reyes, 40 Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19 Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30 Anthony Luis Laureano Disla, 25 Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32 Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21 Brenda Marquez McCool, 49 Gilberto R. Silva Menendez, 25 Kimberly Jean Morris, 37 Akyra Monet Murray, 18 Luis Omar Ocasio Capo, 20 Geraldo A. Ortiz Jimenez, 25 Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36 Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32 Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35 Enrique L. Rios, Jr., 25 Jean Carlos Nieves Rodríguez, 27 Xavier Emmanuel Serrano-Rosado, 35 Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24 Yilmary Rodríguez Solivan, 24 Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34 Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33 Martin Benitez Torres, 33 Jonathan A. Camuy Vega, 24 Juan Pablo Rivera Velázquez, 37 Luis Sergio Vielma, 22 Franky Jimmy DeJesus Velázquez, 50 Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37 Jerald Arthur Wright, 31

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10 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | NEWS

news The top national and world news you should know from last month Gallup: Marriage Equality approved A record number of adults say same-sex marriage should be legal in the United States, according to the Gallup organization. Gallup first started tracking the question in 1996 and 68 percent then said same-sex marriage shouldn’t be legally valid. Now, the trend has basically reversed, with 64 percent saying it should be legal and 34 percent saying it shouldn’t.

Support for marriage has grown among all parties: 74 percent of Democrats approve — down from 79 percent last year — 71 percent Independents, 47 percent Republicans and 55 percent U.S. Catholics approve.

Trump scraps Pride proclamation President Trump declined to issue a proclamation designating June as a time for celebration of Pride, breaking with a tradition started under the Obama administration. he did issue five separate proclamations recognizing June as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, African-American Music Appreciation Month, National Homeownership Month, Great Outdoors Month and National Ocean Month.

Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 269 | JULY 2017

Pride Parades at center of attention LOS ANGELES: About 30,000 people participated in the #resist-themed march replacing the traditional LA Pride Parade. Instead of drag queens, naked boys and dykes on bikes there were speeches from, among others, Mayor Eric Garcetti and congressional representatives Maxine Waters and Adam Schiff, as well as a great deal of virtue signaling.

WASHINGTON, DC: The #resist march in DC attracted over 200,000 for the national Equality March for Unity and Pride. The march was disrupted by No Justice No Pride, protesting perceived slights to the transgender people and people of color and corporate and police participation in Pride festivities. The march was rerouted without incident.

CHARLOTTE, NC: Charlotte Pride plans a traditional Parade with community entries in July. Controversy brews over the denial of a parade entry by local Gay Republicans because they support President Trump. Charlotte Pride wrote, “…Reserves the right to decline participation to groups or organizations which do not reflect the mission, vision and values of our organization.”

The entry applicants said, “It was going to be fun. We wanted to be energetic. We wanted to show that we weren’t racist, bigoted, misogynistic.” National Log Cabin Republicans condemned the event organizer’s actions. A law suit has been threatened.

Walk on rainbow in Atlanta The city of Atlanta, Georgia painted crosswalks in rainbow colors in the Midtown

community during Atlanta Pride Week and now Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said the Atlanta Rainbow Crosswalks will stay year-round. All four crosswalks at the intersection of 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue will be permanently faggotized with the rainbow flag. The design was purposely installed on the one-year anniversary of the shooting at Pulse nightclub.

Idaho court rules samesex partner has no child custody right The Idaho Supreme Court denied custody and visitation rights to a lesbian who raised a child with her former partner, reflecting state laws that have not been updated since same-sex marriage became legal in 2014.

The couple raised the child together after splitting up in 2012. But their relationship deteriorated two years ago, and the child’s biological mother barred her former partner from contacting the child, who is now 7.

Utah prohibits anyone who lives with an unmarried partner, same-sex or not, from adopting.

Taiwan court rules for marriage equality, China makes a move In a ruling that paves the way for Taiwan to become the first country in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage, the constitutional court struck down the Civil Code’s definition of marriage as being only between a man and a woman. The legislature has two years to amend or enact laws addressing the issue or the court’s ruling will allow couples to have “their marriage registration effectuated at the authorities in charge of household registration.” On

the mainland, The Peoples Republic of China has begun to develop an alteration to the law to allow marriage equality.

Gay man runs for Session’s seat Michael Hansen is one of eight Alabama Democrats seeking to replace now U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the U.S. Senate. Hansen acknowledges that being gay, the executive director of anti-air pollution health advocacy group, and a Democrat make him a long shot for victory.

He thinks the chances of a Democrat victory are improved because, “We’ve had our share of corrupt politicians here.” Referring to the scandal and resignation of Gov. Robert Bentley and corruption conviction of Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard, “I think people are sick and tired of that sort of business as usual, shady politics and corruption,” adding “my record of integrity is pretty impeccable.”

Lady Bunny hopping mad at political correctness Drag legend Lady Bunny’s hit show is still going strong at the historic Stonewall Inn in New York City after opening a year ago.

But, Bunny sees a damaging culture of political correctness and extreme political turmoil. “Many folks are walking on eggshells to the extent that I think it’s stifling dialogues,” she recently told Huffington Post. “As a seditious, third party-voting socialist leaner, I disagree with almost everyone on the right and our left, which isn’t as far left as I am,” she said. “My show is a much-needed escape into a world of demented laughter.”

JULY 2017 | ISSUE 269 | Qsaltlake.com

A Chelsea morning, free at last Chelsea Manning, the former Army analyst convicted of leaking government secrets, was released from prison after serving seven of a 35-year sentence. President Obama commuted the sentence. Soon after conviction, Manning began hormone therapy and wanted to be known by the name Chelsea. The Army agreed in 2016 to allow her to receive medical treatment for gender dysphoria.

The Army announced Manning is on unpaid, active-duty status that gives her access to some medical benefits and other privileges.

Seattle Mayor bows out Seattle Mayor Ed Murray dropped his re-election bid after a lawsuit alleged he paid an underage male teen for sex in the 1980s.

Filings revealed four other men made the same claim.

He has called the accusations “untrue,” and said the law firm representing one of the men had a history of homophobia and political motivations to take him down.

Murray has been a fixture in Washington State politics where he sponsored and passed anti-discrimination laws. He forged a coalition that made Washington one of the first states to pass a samesex marriage law through a statewide ballot initiative.

With Seattle’s booming economy he was seen as cruising to victory. Now, a dozen or so candidates are running, including a former United States attorney for Seattle, Jenny Durkan, and a

former mayor, Mike McGinn.

Ms. Durkan was a trailblazer as an LGBT-identified person serving as a U.S. Attorney.

TV reboots “Dynasty,” goes full gay The CW’s network has released the trailer for the revival of the ’80s prime-time soap opera “Dynasty.” It will air this fall at 9 p.m. on Wednesday. The show ratchets up the glitz and glam that made the original a cult classic, but with major changes. Cristal (nee’ Linda Evans’ Krystle) is not Blake Carrington’s former secretary but a Latina business woman.

There’s no hint of an Alexis character, brought to life by Joan Collins and there is some steamy gay sex, as Sammy Jo is now a male character. The story arc, the sets, the snark, even the house seem to be the same from the original.

Watch the full action and eye-candy packed trailer at bit.ly/dynastytrailer.

Who knew, Lou Reed, transphobic?

You can’t take a walk on the wild side at U of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. Deceased singer/songwriter Lou Reed’s iconic “Walk on the Wild Side” 1972 anthem to Andy Warhol’s pal Holly Woodlawn was played at an event to distribute summer bus passes.

After complaints from transgender students that the lyrics were “hurtful,” the Central Student Organization posted an apology and explained, “The person making the list did not know or understand the lyrics.”

The CSA explained, “The song is understood to be transphobic because of the lyrics and the sentiments that they support in present day. The lyrics, ‘and then he was a she,’ devalues the experiences and identities of trans folks.”

NEWS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 11

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12 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | NEWS

Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 269 | JULY 2017

Utah Pride Festival and Parade the largest ever Tens of thousands of people participated in the annual Utah Pride Festival, including over 50,000 participants on Sunday, the final day of the week-long event, according to organizers.

Salt Lake police also estimated between 35,000 and 40,000 people attended Sunday morning’s parade.

Nearly 140 parade entries stretched the event to more than two hours. Local companies, organizations of veterans and educators, along with local churches joined major corporations in marching, including Comcast, Delta Airlines, Netflix, Ikea, Sheraton and Visa.

Many of Salt Lake City’s top leaders, such as Mayor Jackie Biskupski, Police Chief Mike Brown, Fire Chief Karl Lieb and Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill participated in the festivities.

Protesters more aggressive than ever A group of about two dozen protesters lined the beginning of the parade route, nearly blocked the entrance to the festival, and were blaring anti-gay speech through a loudspeaker at Club Jam. QSaltLake publisher Michael Aaron live streamed the protest at the bar, as neighbors were roused from their beds after 11 p.m. to the noise.

The group, organized by long-time and ever-present protester Ruben Chavez, who goes by the name Ruben Israel, has grown since previous years, when five or six would protest. This same group protests the semi-annual LDS Conferences, telling Mormons they are going to Hell.

“We’re not here to stop their parade.

We’re not only here to voice our opposition, but what God says,” Israel, who is the self-proclaimed pastor of Bible Believers, told KTVX 4 News. “In America, we have the freedom to disagree. It’s kind of like going to a Jazz game and having somebody that’s a Lakers fan, you can disagree.”

The group traveled from Los Angeles and Portland to protest Utah’s Pride.

“We come from all over to do missionary

D. White and Chauna Gean share a “sinful” kiss in front of protesters at the Utah Pride Festival

work here in Mormon land because these people need the gospel,” Israel told KTVX. The rhetoric has also changed since previous years. Many of the protesters told any crowd who would listen that things will change under the Trump administration. Anti-Muslim speech and “Make America White Again” were also heard in the live stream.

But it was words encouraging parade-goers to commit suicide or kill their LGBT children that riled Cat Palmer, a Salt Lake City-based photographer who describes herself as a pansexual mother of six.

Palmer came up with a list of six solutions to the growing aggressiveness of the protesters, which she said includes shoving a parade-goer.

Her dream is to designate a free-speech zone, similar to what she says the San Diego Pride Parade has, including a fenced-off area so protesters and those angry at them cannot get into physical altercations.

She also wants to see the Salt Lake City Police Department be more aggressive in how they handle violations by the protesters, saying that when locals (like her) protest, the police are quick to put the hammer down on them. Loudness, blocking sidewalks, or not continually moving while protesting is punished if the protesters are locals, but not if they are what she calls “professional protesters.” She says police seem to fear the religious protesters.

For example, the Utah Pride Festival was required by city officials to designate an ADA drop-off zone, which they did at the north Second East entrance.

PHOTO: JAMES DURAM

Israel’s protesters, however, completely blocked that area. Some complained to Pride security that they had to “muscle” their way through the protesters to even get into the Festival. Police, however, did nothing to move the protesters even after Pride security made them aware of the problem.

Palmer, several leaders of the Utah Pride Festival and Parade and QSaltLake publisher Michael Aaron met with the Utah Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union to discuss what can and should be done for future events.

During that meeting it was clear that the protesters have the right to be anywhere on the sidewalk and an attempt to locate them in a specific area would likely lose in a court battle.

There was interest in documenting differences in police treatment of local vs. religious protesters.

An idea, spawned by actions taken by other communities which face religious protesters, was to have a group of community members dressed as angels, with 10-foot-tall and wide wings that block the protesters from view. Such tactics have been successful against protests by the now-seemingly-defunct Westboro Church at funerals.

Pride leaders are eager to address the problems with city officials and police and come up with solutions before next year’s events.

Palmer is hoping those who had issues with the protesters that may have bordered on illegal will contact her through Facebook at fb.me/catpalmerART. Q

JULY 2017 | ISSUE 269 | Qsaltlake.com

NEWS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 13

Utah Pride Parade winners Utah Pride Parade director Bonnie O’Brien announced the following winners among the 140 entries in this year’s parade

BUSINESS: 1. Comcast 2. Discover 3. Adobe & Berkshire Hathaway

NON PROFIT: 1. QUAC 2. Samba Fogo 3. Planned Parenthood

SCHOOLS: 1. Weber State University 2. Wasatch Independent Performing Arts 3. UVU Spectrum

SMALL BUSINESS: 1. Club Karamba 2. Ogden’s Own 3. Kween PHOTO: DAVID DANIELS

PHOTO: MATT GERRISH

14 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | NEWS

Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 269 | JULY 2017

12-year-old Mormon girl comes out at church, is told to stop, ‘sit down’ A 12-year-old girl who came out as a lesbian in front of her Eagle Mountain Mormon church ward was told to sit down midway through a speech in which she said she was not a “horrible sinner”.

Speaking at the Cedar Crest ward’s monthly Fast and Testimony session, the girl, Savannah, said she was a child of “heavenly parents” who had “made me to be gay,” according to a video taken by someone in the audience which has been watched by more than 200,000 people.

But, as she was speaking, the microphone went silent and Savannah looked toward the stake leaders who were running the meeting. President Gregory Hooke, first counselor of the Silver Lake Stake, leaned toward her and told her, loud enough to be picked up by the smart phone recording the speech, to sit down.

A man then addressed the congregation, using the same mic, telling them he was grateful that the “Heavenly Father has made us all unique.”

Savannah began by saying she wanted to “share my testimony with you.”

“I believe I am a child of heavenly parents. I don’t know if they talk to us, but I feel in my heart that they made me and that they love me. I believe I was made the way I am, all parts of me, by my heavenly parents,” she said.

“They did not mess up when they gave me brown eyes, or when I was born bald.

They did not mess up when they gave me freckles or they made me to be gay. God loves me just this way because I believe that he loves all his creations. No part of me is a mistake. I do not choose to be this way and it is not a fad. I cannot make someone else gay and being around me won’t make anyone else this way.

“I believe that God wants us to treat each other with kindness, even if people are different — especially if they are different. Christ showed us this.

“I believe that we should just love. I believe I am good. I try my best to be nice to each other and stick up for those that are hurting.

“I know I’m not a horrible sinner for being who I am. I believe God would tell me if I was wrong.”

She said she hoped to one day go on

dates, to school dances and eventually to find a partner, get married, have a family and find a “great job.”

“I know I can have all of these things as a lesbian and be happy. I believe that if God is there, he knows I’m perfect just the way I am, and would never ask me to live my life alone or with someone I am not attracted to,” she said. “He would want me to be happy. I want to be happy.

I want to love myself and not to feel shame for being me. I ask you…”

The microphone then went dead and Savannah was told to sit down.

A man then rose to say: “Brothers and sisters, I ask you to recognize that we are all children of God, we are loved by our Heavenly Father.

“And, I have no doubt that Heavenly Father has made us all unique in different ways and for that I am grateful.

“And I am grateful for all of you that are here today as sons and daughters of God. “And I know very much and I’m grateful for Heavenly Father’s plans for us. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

Her mother, Heather Kester, said that Savannah left the stage in tears.

“She came off crying to me. We both walked out of the hall, and I held her face in my hands and told her over and over that she is perfect and good, that there is nothing wrong with who she is, that she is brave and beautiful,” she added.

“I was angry that they chose to hurt her for whatever reason they had.

“My husband and I both were reluctant to let her share her testimony because of the potential rejection. She asked to do it in January, we finally agreed in May. “She had worked so hard at perfecting it so that it would portray exactly how she felt. We decided to let her do it because we thought it would be more harmful to silence her or give her reason to feel she is wrong in any way.”

In an interview with Jerilyn Pool of the blog “I Like to Look for Rainbows,” Savannah explained her relief in being able to talk to the ward members after finally getting the go-ahead from her parents.

“I was happy because I could finally get

out to everyone, and show that gays aren’t weirdos,” she said, also saying she was embarrassed when told to stop. “I was like, ‘I think the microphone’s broken,’ but then he stopped me, and said, ‘can you go sit down now?’”

After the video stops, Savannah says the stake president addressed the ward once more.

“When I walked out of the foyer, he got up and told everyone that only Christ-like testimonies are to be said, and you could only go up if your name was called,” she said.

Savannah told Pool that she knew she was lesbian in elementary school.

“I figured out when I was in sixth grade, when I didn’t have any … imagination kind of things with boys, but when I saw a girl, I always thought, ‘I wonder what it would be like to kiss her?’ And then, that sort of changed things, and I pushed myself away from girls, and made myself like boys. But then, after sixth grade, and during, like, the summer, I felt like I didn’t have to do that, and I came out to my mom,” Savannah said.

Pool asked Savannah what she looks forward to, being an out lesbian.

“Holding hands. Finding someone who loves me the way that I love them back.

Just finding someone to love me; that would be so nice,” she said.

Kester said her daughter has received “the most beautiful, supportive outpouring of love from allies, and members of the LGBT+ community. She is full, happy, free, and has a fire in her soul that is ready to blaze forward. I’m so lucky to have her, and privileged to get to watch her grow into the powerful person she has inside.” Q

NEWS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 15

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Q Lagoon Day set for Aug 6 One day each summer Utah’s queer community floods Lagoon theme park with red.

This year, QSaltLake Day at Lagoon is on Sunday, Aug. 6.

The event attracts thousands of people each year who are encouraged to wear red shirts and stop by the QSaltLake pavilion — the Canyon Pavilion east of the Rocket — for a group photo at 4 p.m. and to mingle with other queers and allies. The pavilion is open the entire day and is a

popular place to picnic, take a break, and to enjoy singing karaoke, hosted by sponsor DJ Kevan Floyd. The event is also sponsored by Club Try-Angles, which will open at 6 p.m. that day for an after-party and so employees can join in the festivities.

Park admission discount coupons will be available at Cahoots (878 E. 900 S), Club Try-Angles (251 W. 900 S), Off Trax Cafe (259 W. 900 S) and JAM (751 N. 300 W).

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Serving All Utah Families

Crown Princess 42 Melanie Fox, Crown Prince 42 Kolton Nielsen, Emperor 42 Johnny Disco, Empress 42 Tiana La Shaé, Prince Royale 42 Jody La Shaé, and Princess Royal 42 Mae Daye

XLII Reign of the Royal Court will announce titles at Investiture This past Memorial Day weekend, at an event called “Coronation,” the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire elected the officers to provide leadership during the 2017– 2018 reign.

Two co-leaders, titled Emperor and Empress for the year called a “Reign XLII — The Reign of Neverland Dreams” use performance names of Emperor 42 Johnny Disco and Empress 42 Tiana La Shae. Other titles selected: Crown Princess 42 Melanie Fox, Crown Prince 42 Kolton Nielsen, Prince Royale 42 Jody La Shaé, and Princess Royal 42 Mae Daye.

The RCGSE is a long-standing Utah LGBT organization which focuses on live performances and fundraising activities to provide funding for LGBT nonprofits. It is part of a national organization of other groups with similar structure and goals.

An “Investiture” of the current leadership will take place July 9 at The Metro Music Hall. Doors open at 4 p.m., performance scheduled for 5 p.m.. According to Tiana La Shae, “Investiture is where the top six title holders receive their invested titles to the community and name their line of succession for the new reign.”

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16 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | NEWS

Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 269 | JULY 2017

Qmmunity OUR COMMUNITY’S BRIEFS

EU QTalks Seats are already filling up for the next QTalks on Aug. 2 at the Salt Lake City Library Main Branch. QTalks is a fastpaced, hard-hitting lecture series about LGBTQ topics in Utah sponsored by Equality Utah.

Audience at the August talk will hear from: Jacob Tobia, a leading voice and educator on genderqueer and non-binary topics, poet Tanesha Nicole, Mark Hofeling, a production designer and art director of over 50 movies, and AIDS/ HIV activist Barnabas Wobilia sharing his work and personal story.

RSVP at: www.equt.org/qtalks2017.

This event is free and is ADA accessible. For accommodations email info@equalityutah.org.

Lake City.”

The lecture will begin at 7 p.m. and go through 8:30 p.m. at the Marmalade Branch of the Salt Lake City Library, 280 W 500 North. The event is free and open to the public.

The Final, Final Farewell Tour of Dick & Delores DelRubio Utah native Alan Palmer and are in the middle of a 20-state, 24-day tour of their hilarious homage to the husband and wife lounge act duo, Dick and Delores DelRubio. Dick and Delores share their stories of celebrity, love, life and entertaining. From competing with Liz Taylor, wedding Elvis, bedding Donald Trump and performing in burlesque, Dick and Delores will literally charm the pants right off of you!

Tuesday, June 27, 7 p.m., Sugar Space Arts Warehouse, 132 S 800 W. Tickets at web.ovationtix.com

Utah Stonewall Historical Society Lecture Series

LGBTQ Community Endowment Fund grant applications now available

Historian and QSaltLake columnist Ben Williams hosts a monthly lecture series on Gay history. July’s lecture is on A Gay Community Begins 1972-1974.

“Gay Liberation Activists began building a Gay Conscienous on the U of U Campus, Metropolitan Community Church gave Gay people a place to have hope, and Joe Redburn gave Gays a place to gather when he bought the Railroad Exchange Beer Bar and turned it into the original Sun Tavern,” Williams wrote.

“We will be covering these formative years of building a Gay presence in Salt

The LGBTQ Community Endowment Fund leverages individual gifts to meaningfully impact Utah’s LGBTQ community, and Utah as a whole. Since 2011 the fund has granted over $284,000 to Utah nonprofits. Grants are available for nonprofit organizations that serve the LGBTQ community, with preference given to programs that: are startups and/ or engage in innovative work; increase the LGBTQ community’s access to public services; build the LGBTQ community and promote awareness of and respect for LGBTQ individuals and their impact on

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the common good Among last year’s grant recipients were: Brigham Young Queer Alumni Association for a Recognition Banquet; Utah AIDS Foundation for the PrEP, HIV Prevention Clinic; Utah Pride Center in support of the Genderevolution Conference; and Spy Hop for their Move the Dial initiative Apply through June 30th. For more information, email lgbtq@utahcf.org.

The application is available at bit.ly/UtahFund

Live at the Eccles announces Fall 2017 line-up Tickets go on sale now for the Fall 2017 “non-Broadway” calendar at Live-at-theEccles.com and the Eccles Theater Box Office.

Steve Martin & Martin Short | Aug. 27 Seu Jorge — The Life Aquatic — A Tribute To David Bowie | Sept. 7 JJ Grey & Mofro w/ Magpie Salute | Sept. 23 The Doobie Brothers | Sept. 26 Wild Kratts Live! | Sept. 30 Conor Oberst | Oct. 1 Huey Lewis & The News | Oct. 19 The Simon & Garfunkel Story | Capitol Theatre | Oct. 24 Shaping Sound | Oct. 24 Snap Judgement | Oct. 27 Gregory Porter | Nov. 6 White Rabbit Project | Nov. 18 Ani Defranco — Binary | Nov. 4 John Cleese — Monty Python & The Holy Grail | Nov. 19 Tickets for all shows are available at live-at-the-eccles.com, by phone at 801‑355-ARTS, and at the Eccles Theater box office, 131 S. Main St.

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Michael Sanders named Mr. Leather SL♥UT

BY CRAIG OGAN

What does Michael Sanders say when he is congratulated for being named the number one Leather SL♥UT in Utah?

“Thank you, yes it’s finally official!”

He had just won the title, 2017 Mr. Leather SL♥UT, last month.

Andrew Love, producer of the competition, says its mission is to promote leather culture in the Salt Lake City community.

“We are looking for leather men to act as an ambassador, working with various segments of the broader LGBTQ community as well as various segments of the radical sex communities,” he said.

Love says the titleholder should be passionately interested in activism, charity and community building that can articulately express the mission and excite those around him to get involved.

Sanders says he is passionate about this mission and that he’s excited to promote leather culture, sex positivity, activism and building a stronger local Leather community. These are things he has done since his arrival in Salt Lake City from New York City some eight years ago.

In his leather regalia, trademark black cowboy hat and brash-as-hell personality, he established himself in business with a vintage accoutrements shop called Now & Again and Salt Lake City’s monthly Urban Flea Market.

Without the “Mr. Leather portfolio” he has been a busy community organizer and activist, establishing and leading blackBOOTS, a group for Utah men with leather/kink/BDSM/fetish interests which hosts social events, leather/gear PHOTO: ALEX GALLIVAN

bar nights and the blackBOARD men’s educational program.

He was a prime mover in founding the local chapter of Mr. Friendly that works to reduce stigma of HIV, encourage testing and improve quality of life for those living with HIV. Mr. Friendly Utah promotes uplifting messages through media and merchandise, develops curriculum to train people how to raise awareness in friendly ways, and holds events to engage people in fighting the stigma of HIV. The Utah AIDS Foundation recently affiliated with the group and Sanders is currently training UAF staff and volunteers.

Sanders has also partnered with the Salt Lake County Health Department to launch a PrEP Information Team and is on the Utah State Health Department HIV Planning Committee.

The 2017 Mr. Leather SL♥UT competition is the local step to national Leather title circuit competitions including International Mister Leather, the international conference and contest of Leathermen held annually in May since 1979 in Chicago.

Other contestants included Billy Bills, Mr. Nate, and Mystical. Contest judges were John Marrelli, Kirk Birkle, Stephen, Papa Bear and Ikonoclast.

“As titleholder, I will use my visibility and voice to affect positive change. I will lobby for our civil rights, support charitable programs that serve and enhance the lives of our diverse community,” Michael wrote. “I will continue to live my life authentically and encourage others to do the same.” Q

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18 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | VIEWS

views

Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 269 | JULY 2017

quotes “Let’s cancel gay pride!

Instead, let’s just fight over the fucking flag this year!

Let’s fight over the correct terms for everybody. Let’s dismiss everyone who doesn’t want to transition as a privileged cisgender. Let’s spar over the name of our own damn community – is it gay, LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQIA or did we bring back two spirits yet? … Let’s admit right now that we hate each other as a community, and that we’re too ungrateful to celebrate the freedoms which we do have once a year. Let’s compartmentalize ourselves into bears, twinks, butches, femmes, trans, tops, bottoms and those who claim they have no gender to further divide an already small community which does not have rights to equal housing and employment. And we’re even barred from using the bathrooms of their choice in some states! … If we took the energy and vitriol we reserved to pounce on one flag variation in one city and turned it on those who seek to destroy our rights, we’d be running the world tomorrow and we’d all have gorgeous new hairstyles to boot.

—Lady Bunny on the Philadelphia rainbow flag variation

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who’s your daddy

Taking a bullet for your kid

BY CHIRSTOPHER KATIS

Brenda

Lee Marquez McCool died at the hands of a terrorist during that horrific night last year at the Pulse nightclub.

So did 48 other people. But McCool stands out for me.

She very literally took a bullet to save her son. You’d be hard pressed to find a parent, who wouldn’t have taken the same action to spare the life of their kid – me included.

Becoming a parent drastically changes a person. No, I don’t believe people are “more complete” or “fulfilled” when they have children. Parenthood just changes you, and I think that it really changes gay men in particular.

As I thought about Pulse, and McCool in particular, I wondered what the hell is it about kids that change people to the point they are willing to die for them. I get the whole mama bear instinct to protect – having another human being growing inside of you and giving life to that little person creates one hell of a connection. But what about dads? I didn’t carry my sons. I don’t even share DNA with them. Why then, would I jump in front of a bullet for them?

Jen O’Ryan, a PhD in Human Behavior from Double Talk Consulting in Seattle, told me, “Men are typically socialized to take charge and problem solve. Suddenly this tiny human being is handed to you and their very lives

depend on you not screwing up. The realization of how fragile and amazing life can be is huge.”

That in turn leads men to spend the next couple of decades in constant protection mode.

It’s true — to the point of absurdity. I recently advised a good friend’s adult daughter, who was traveling to Athens, that Greece is really hot this time of year and she needed to remember to stay hydrated. I was trying to protect an adult kid I don’t even know.

Dan McIntosh, PhD is a psychologist at the University of Denver, and a close friend of mine since we were in 7th grade. He and his wife are the parents of two adult sons.

Dan’s also probably the first person to whom I ever said the words, “I’m gay.” So, I was curious to hear why as a gay dad specifically I would have this instinct to protect.

Dr. McIntosh told me, “There is evidence that cues to kinship can increase altruism, which may not be based exclusively on biology. Simply put: experience and relationship matter.”

He hypothesized that accepting a child as yours is enough to create the experience and relationship that lead to the altruism necessary to protect a child with your very life.

I may not have carried the boys for nine months (thank God!), and they may not be

the fruit of my loins, but I’m their dad. Our experience as father and sons, and the relationship we have created, influences what actions I am willing to take to protect them.

For me, the strangest part of this parental need to protect kids is that you won’t ever outgrow it. You never stop being a parent no matter how grown up your kids become.

Those instincts even extend to muscle memory, which develop over years of protect-

ing a child.

“It’s a visceral response to put yourself in between your now-adult-formerly-tiny-human kid and potential harm,” said Dr. O’Ryan. “Well after my son was the same size as me, I still automatically reached my arm over in front of him when coming to a sudden stop in the car.”

Brenda McCool was simply doing what came automatically to her; she was simply throwing her arm out to protect her son.Q

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20 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | VIEWS

Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 269 | JULY 2017

lambda lore

Confrontation

BY BEN WILLIAMS

The Salt

Lake Tribune printed its first real article on the subject of homosexuality in April, 1970. The article, called “Confrontation: Should Laws Concern Homosexuality?” was contributed by reporter Clark Lobb. The article was in the form of a dialogue between a University of Utah sociology student, simply called Mary X, and Sergeant Max Yopse of the Salt Lake City Vice Squad, which was moderated

by Lobb.

Officer Yospe was a Jewish LDS convert who later helped start the police department’s chaplain services. He was 44 years old at the time he expressed his views on homosexuality, which was typical of society at the time. Nothing is known about the anonymous Mary X, except that she was a university sociology student.

She kept her anonymity due to her progressive views on gay rights although she was not gay herself. She may have been a Daily Chronicle reporter named Mary Ellen Sloan who, in 1968, wrote the first article to mention Salt Lake City having a gay bar. But that is purely conjecture.

Mary X began the article with the typical view that gay men were the product of an overbearing mother and an emotionally absent father. She stated, “There must be more understanding of why homosexuality develops because I believe homosexuals are being punished for something which really isn’t their fault.

A very important part of this problem is prevention. Studies completed recently show what kinds of families lead to homosexuality, what the signs are in small boys and what can be done to stop it while they are small boys.” In her opinion, “It’s a learned patterned of behavior stemming from influences through life particularly during childhood.

It’s a family situation.”

When asked if she was a homosexual, Mary X replied, “No I am not. I got involved through studies on the problems, studies both here and in San Francisco where there is a high rate of homosexuality.

However my research is on the male homosexual. I know little or nothing on lesbians.”

The reporter then asked Sergeant Yopse his opinion regarding “how big is the problem (of homosexuality) in Salt Lake City?” Yopse replied, “Over a period of years we’ve had a problem here which is growing. We have a lot of bisexual men who are apparently happily married, are staunch pillars in their community, have families, have respectable positions, and are active in civic and church affairs. Every couple of months they have this tremendous urge to get out and get involved in homosexual activity. Over the years many of the homosexuals from the coast have moved in — the hippie movement — as we call it, for example.”

The reporter then asked the sergeant, “What about women

homosexuals?” Yopse’s reply was “Women homosexuals are a horse of another color. Most men homosexuals are sympathetic — that is they respond to sympathetic approaches and sometimes are seeking help. A lesbian is something else. She’ll challenge anyone who suggests she’s a lesbian.

She’ll fight to the bitter end that her relationships with other women are more meaningful and longer enduring then they are with the male.

We don’t think too much of seeing two women holding hands or showing other physical endearments to each other, so it’s almost an acceptable thing to the public. But its intolerable to many people, moralistically speaking, to see two men showing endearments, or tokens of affection to each other. The female is more able to keep her activities under a blanket while the man can’t very well get away with it.”

Yopse continued his views on lesbianism saying, “Yes, the majority of female homosexual cases brought to our attention involve lesbians who have recruited — and I use the word deliberately — female companions who are married and may be disillusioned with married life, problems of finances, maybe with an indifferent husband and a brood of children who are rather confining to her.”

The subject then was changed to “queer” jokes which Lobb said were “supposedly humorous stories about homosexuals.” While Yopse did not comment, Mary X told the reporter, “They can be pretty brutal and they’re not really very funny. The negative attitudes against homosexuals make these people sometimes feel inferior, that they are morally wrong, that

they shouldn’t be doing what they’re doing. Some of them can get over these feelings, but a lot of them can’t. And they are a product of their family environment through no choice of their own.

Society’s joking about these situations just makes them feel worse.”

The topic then changed to the laws governing homosexuality. Yopse opined, “Looking at it from the standpoint of a police officer; we are sworn to uphold the law and as far as the law is concerned, the law is the will of the people. And if the community’s mores are such that they don’t condone this type of action, then we’re sworn to uphold the law.

Basically we do not break into people’s homes seeking homosexuals. But our problem is, the law states any time a man has a sexual relationship with a person of the same sex, that it’s against the law. It’s called sodomy in its various degrees.”

Yopse went on to explain why the police found gay cruising dangerous. He said, “They’re felonies and many of these acts are not between two men of equal age. They’re generally — and we find this to be the ever prevalent thing — that these men tire of their relationships with other males of their own peers and they seek out — we call it “cruise” — and indoctrinate youthful victims to this type of thing. It’s not uncommon to have male homosexuals spend countless hours of seductive way to get young people recruited. The women maintain their activities under a cloak and you don’t hear too much about them, although we do maintain a file. Here again, they’ll go after women of younger and more tender years. Homosexuals have to be screened out

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on jobs such as scout masters, life guards (male and female).

You’d be surprised how many times overt homosexuality occurs among adult-youth groups generally respected and believed to be strictly above board and beneficial to youth.”

Mary X was then asked if she thought the laws were too severe. Her answer was, “I don’t think they do much good. The law against assault is one to 10 years in prison.

The law against sodomy is three to 20 years. I don’t understand why? But [the laws] don’t stop it.”

Sergeant Yopse chimed in, “What the law provides for punishment is not up for you or me to say individually. That is a matter of legislation and if we object to it then we should strive to have a more uniform law provided with more uniform sentencing.”

When Mary X began to express her feelings about the law punishing consenting adults for what they do in private or whether society should condone homosexuality or not, the vice officer cut her off saying, “You say you feel. We’re not interested in your feelings, Mary, we are in-

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terested in facts, in documentation in statistics. You say you don’t feel the laws keep homosexuality from going on.

Sure there are lots of things that go on, but how much more prevalent they would be if we relaxed the laws.”

Then Yopse reiterated the predominate societal opinion that homosexual conduct needed to be illegal.

He said, surely with a hint of sarcasm, “That would be lovely wouldn’t it? To have [laws against homosexuality] abolished, as it has been in England, to have a homosexual couple move in next door to you — perhaps a married woman with a family — and begun to make their amorous approaches on the patio to have children look out of their windows and see this type of activity going continuously.

And as they grow up, they will think there is nothing wrong with it. Two men can go out and make love to each other and have sex relations — [It is] abnormal in that they are nonproductive and have no Godly satisfaction.”

Mary X protested Yopse’s insinuation of her position and said, “I said in private — not on a patio or any other

place open to public view, but in private.” Q Sgt. Yopse countered with the argument, “How are you going to regulate it in private any more than England has been able to do? It hasn’t worked there. You talk about homosexuals, who’ll be honest with you, and he’ll soon tell you that, [if] he’s been a homosexual for any length of homosexuality or bisexual, he’ll go out to the public restrooms, to the libraries, and to restrooms in parks, and solicit activity with younger men and boys.”

The article concluded with Yopse continuing his diatribe that most homosexual men were pedophiles and could not be trusted in positions involving boys. There was no rebuttal, or if there was one, it was not included.

And so it was in 1970 in Salt Lake City as a small group of Gay Liberationists were emerging from their commune in the lower Avenues.

They would change everything. Within five years Salt Lake City had an openly gay and lesbian community in spite of the laws. Q

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queer shift

Dating Shift

Is dating

BY CHARLES LYNN FROST

a lost art or skill? Over the entire Utah Pride week I kept bringing up the topic of dating with individuals as well as groups. I got me some very interesting responses across a spectrum, which were largely different based on age.

I personally think dating is essential for a Queer couple to have any chance of it going any further than a couple of sexual encounters—and then back to looking. I also found there is what some would call old-fashioned dating, and pretty much shun the past way that gay men met and found a quality relationship.

“Hunting” is something that all gay men have done, there are the hunters and those who prefer to be hunted, it’s the methods that both use that have changed drastically.

It’s instinctual, male, historical, and full of testosterone.

It can be extroverted, shy and subtle, blatant and full of bravado. But it exists.

Regardless of the generation from which you

are dating, there are some general very good tips everyone should use to raise the bar beyond a life of baseless encounters, loss of self-esteem, ongoing loneliness, and most tragic creating a habit of being unable to commit and make an important dating period possibly end in a satisfying and enduring relationship, When setting a time and place for your date, be sure to make it a short meeting (1–2 hours) for the first time and select a place that is either activity-oriented or allows for lots of opportunity to talk.

Take the emphasis off of it being a date and instead view it as a chance to meet a potential new friend. This can help “take the edge off” and allow you to relax without focusing on the outcome of the date.

If you’re worried about what to talk about, generate a list of possible ideas beforehand and practice in front of a mirror. Be cool and be yourself. This isn’t about performance.

Dress comfortably and in

clothing that makes you feel good about yourself. Make sure you and your date are on the same page about the style of dress for your date.

Be punctual and relax. No matter how attracted you may be to the man sitting across from you, it is your responsibility to be yourself—avoid trying to put up a facade and be someone you’re not to try to impress your date.

Be attentive to your date.

Show respect by maintaining good eye contact and don’t let those eyes stray if there are other attractive men in the room. Have an open posture and let your nonverbal communication and body language convey interest in learning about your date.

Avoid controversial topics of discussion as these may be offensive to your date. You can ease into these the more you get to know him. If you get sloppy, avoid alcohol. Unless sex is the motivation for your date, introducing sexual talk into your first date can set the tone in an inappropriate direction.

Whether your date was a smash hit or a disaster, exercise good manners and thank your new acquaintance for the date. If you’d like to see him again, state this and call him in a day or so to ask him out again. Don’t get caught up in the whole dating game of “How many days should I hold off to call him to avoid looking desperate?”

Turn off your Grindr profile before the date begins, even if that’s where you found him. That little “pop” sound is a romantic buzz kill.

You’re “Checking In” at the restaurant where you’ve made dinner reservations? Serious-

ly? Nothing like telling 5,000 Facebook friends the location of your intimate rendezvous.

Even though gay men love to label everyone, they despise being labeled. So whether he’s a Bear, Twink, Twunk, Cub, Daddy, Dilf, Otter, Chub, Gym Rat, Gym Bunny, or any of the other zillion names we give one another, only address him in generic terms, like handsome, funny, smart, etc.

If you’re over thirty and at least four years older than your date, don’t be surprised if he calls you Daddy. Take it as a compliment; do not take it as a reason to pick up the check.

In the old days, it was common, and common sense, to say that, if you sleep with someone, you are also sleeping with everyone he’s slept with.

Nowadays, it’s common sense to remember that, if you sleep with someone who’s in a 12-Step program, you are also sleeping with everyone in his Home Group. This information is good to know early.

Compatibility is essential to a long-lasting relationship.

While it’s nice to have a grasp of current events and knowledge of local culture, it’s no longer a first-date pre-requisite. However, if you don’t have an immediate answer for “Do you want to get married?” and “How many kids would you like to have?” the date has just ended; don’t even bother to take your coat off.

If you like the guy and want things to go well, early on, put everything out on the table: HIV status, views on monogamy, etc.

Ready, set, GO for some healthy and improved dating that you’ve decided works for YOU! Q

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guest editorial

I’m Intersex and my body works just fine, thank you

As part

BY EMILY QUINN

of my job, I spend a lot of time explaining what intersex means. This is harder than it sounds. Intersex awareness is so low, that, up until March 2015 when a video called "What It's Like to Be Intersex" went viral, you couldn't even type the word "intersex" without it being auto-corrected to "interest."

Nearly 2 percent of children are born with intersex traits — gonads, hormones, chromosomes, sex organs, etc.

— that don't meet the typical definition of male or female bodies. That means we are as common as redheads, but most people don't even know we exist.

I'm intersex, and I didn't meet another intersex person until I was 24 years old. Not long after that, while interning for interACT, a group that advocates for intersex youth, I consulted with MTV on an intersex character for the show "Faking It" and later appeared in a public-service announcement for the channel — effectively coming out to the whole world. In my current position as the youth coordinator for interACT, I advocate for the rights of intersex people to control decisions about their bodies.

When I talk about what it means to be intersex, I mostly tell stories. I tell my own story — I was born with internal testes and what doctors refer to as androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) — and I tell the stories of other inter-

sex people who have been physically and psychologically harmed by outdated, binary ideas about sex and gender.

Unfortunately, some doctors in the medical profession prioritize those antiquated notions over care, which includes performing medically unnecessary surgeries without a person's knowledge or full, informed consent.

The harm is real. Many intersex people I know have had their gonads removed by doctors who incorrectly told them or their parents there was a high cancer risk without also explaining the full repercussions of the procedure (taking synthetic hormones for the rest of their lives and losing the benefits of having natural hormones).

I have friends whose parents were coerced into agreeing to surgeries that didn't go as promised and now must cope with incontinence, scar tissue, lack of sensation, painful sexual experiences, and more.

When I present to students, doctors and even the general public, my main point is that intersex people don't need to be fixed. There's nothing wrong with us, and we don't need to be operated on in order to lead happy and healthy lives.

Medically unnecessary surgeries performed without consent are a violation of a person's human rights — even when they are done at the request of well-meaning doctors or parents who think they have a child's best interests at

heart. But surgeries are not the only ways in which intersex people are hurt by medical practice.

A large part of the harm intersex people suffer comes from the sense of shame instilled in us as part of our so-called "care." My doctors — and my parents — told me I should keep my intersex traits a secret. I now understand they were trying to protect me from ridicule or worse, but, instead of being directed towards a support network or therapist, I spent my childhood years thinking there was something so terribly wrong with me that it had to be kept a secret.

When I give presentations, medical students are typically more open to criticism than the doctors they are about to become. But even doctors can change their views. Every year, The AIS-DSD Support Group holds a conference in partnership with a hospital to provide continuing medical education credits to physicians. After

one of those CMEs, I was invited to speak on a panel at the annual Society of Pediatric Urologists conference this past May. Since then, several doctors have reached out or directed their patients' families to AIS-DSD or interACT because they are now uncomfortable performing surgeries that they previously wouldn't have given a second thought.

Twenty years ago, a group of brave intersex people gathered in Boston to protest the annual meeting of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

It was the first protest of its kind in the U.S. — a day that is now commemorated around the globe as Intersex Awareness Day on October 26.

I spend my IADs speaking to undergraduate sociology courses in Salt Lake City. But to me, every day is Intersex Awareness Day. That’s what being an advocate is all about. Q Salt Lake City resident Emily Quinn is the youth coordinator for interACT and is pursuing her master's degree in strategic communication at Westminster College.

24 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | VIEWS

creep of the month

Scott Lively

BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI

Happy

Pride Month, everybody!

June is the month when the sale of rainbow merchandise skyrockets and anti-gay right wingers decry the very right of LGBTQ people to exist, let alone celebrate that existence.

Case in point, Scott Lively,

a man who literally wrote a book about how Nazis were all gay and that’s why they were such vicious killers, is having a very unhappy Pride Month.

But wait a minute, back to the gay Nazi thing. Since Nazis are making a resurgence

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Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 269 | JULY 2017

under the Trump regime, are these Richard Spencer brand Nazis also supposedly gay, too? Or was that only the old Nazis? IT’S ALL SO CONFUSING! Anyway, Lively, who views LGBTQ people through a horror movie lens (see: Gay Nazi book), thinks that we should remember REAL gay history, which, when retold by him, could easily provide enough material for one of those church haunted houses that are supposed to scare you away from sin but really just

make you wish you’d spent your money on drugs instead.

In a June 2 column on World Nut Daily, Lively is very upsets at the U.S. Navy for daring to post a rainbow flag on their Facebook page celebrating ALL who serve.

Lively cites a 1957 publication in which the Navy said homosexuality was bad, which is proof, in his mind, that a Pride post in 2017 shows “how far our moral standards have fallen.”

Lively contends that “we reached the height of our ci-

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vility as a nation” in the 1950s because we apparently properly hated the gays back then. This is a very convenient revision of history. Perhaps anticipating push back, Lively does admit that “improvements in race relations were slow.” Uh, you think?

Jim Crow laws were enforced until 1965 and it’s not like America started over with a clean non-racist slate after that. I know that white people think that Obama brought racism back but the truth is it never really left. So, yeah, I think “height of our civility” is a real stretch.

The rest of Lively’s column is a greatest hits compendium of right-wing “facts” about LGBT history. According to Lively, “Behind the facade of ubiquitous pro-LGBT propaganda in the media and academia is a community of deeply troubled people, rife with drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, self-destructive behaviors, ‘hate crime’ hoaxes, Machiavellian political manipulations at every level, pathological self-centeredness and seething hatred for anyone who dares oppose the ‘gay’ agenda.”

“Political manipulations at every level,” huh? Pretty good for a bunch of drug addicted losers riddled with self-hatred.

Especially since Lively also claims that LGBT people are also responsible for the “exploitation and degradation of our military.” No wonder the military wants us now. We have no life worth yet also have super human abilities. Although, wait, is Lively talking about “gay Nazis” again?

Again, SO CONFUSING. The fact is, LGBT people have been serving in the military for as long as the military has existed. For the vast majority of that time, LGBT service members were forced to hide and many were booted out regardless of their professionalism, expertise, or training. Lively might think that returning to those times of “civility” is a good idea, but the military is actually stronger when it isn’t attacking its own members. I’m proud of the U.S. Navy, even if Lively isn’t. Q D’Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian living with her wife and son. She has been writing about LGBT politics for over a decade. Follow her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.

VIEWS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 25

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26 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | ORLANDO PULSE

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Orlando Pulse massacre a year later It’s been twelve months since Omar Mateen entered Pulse nightclub during Pride month 2016 and opened fire with a semi-automatic assault rifle in a threehour rampage that left 49 people dead, many injured, and communities changed.

It was the worst mass shooting in modern American history, occurring on the LGBTQ club’s Latin night — a targeted attack against queer people of color that sent shockwaves through the LGBTQ community globally.

LGBTQ bars across the country, including here in Salt Lake City, reviewed their policies and exits. Some, like Club Try-Angles, began turning away backpacks at the door. Others took a good, hard look at how people would exit their bars in case of an attack.

THOSE WHO SURVIVED. The Pulse shooting shook multiple communities — and those who exist at their intersections — to their cores. It raised countless questions about modern-day homophobia — including internalized — transphobia, gun violence, racism, Islamophobia and the human capacity for evil.

While the country and LGBTQ people around the world mourned, attended vigils, created art, and processed their grief in their own ways, a new reality and all-encompassing landscape of heartbreak faced the city of Orlando.

Those who survived found themselves profoundly and irreversibly changed.

Many were heard in eulogies saying it wasn’t fair they lost their friends or family and were left here to suffer through the mourning.

Isaiah Henderson, 21, broke down as he paid tribute to his mother — the twotime survivor of cancer and a true fighter.

“I just want to say my mom was the best mom out there,” he begins, choking on emotion. “I never thought her life would be ended right in front of my eyes,” he said as he collapsed into tears and his uncle and brother rushed to his side. “I haven’t stopped crying since this happened.”

Those who made it out of Pulse alive still grapple with intense survivor’s guilt; many saw their friends and loved ones die before their own eyes or held them in their arms as they took their last breaths.

A number of the survivors, like Carter, were trapped in the bathroom stalls of

Pulse for hours, hearing others die around them until police eventually entered the club using explosives at 5:02 a.m., killing Mateen after a chaotic shootout.

Angel Colon, one of the survivors who received significant media visibility in the year since the tragedy, was shot six times during Mateen’s rampage. He underwent his fourth surgery and continues to rely on a cane as he learns to walk again.

“I started thinking to myself, you know I can’t stay in a room with the doors closed and thinking about this night over and over again and be depressed,” Colon said to the press. “So I decided to be a voice.”

Colon has used his new platform to speak out about common sense gun legislation and violence against LGBTQ people. His voice joins a chorus of organizations that have sprung up in the wake of Pulse at the intersection of these two issues, like Gays Against Guns, a group that uses street performance to raise awareness about flawed gun control laws and its convergence with homophobia.

Colon now also advocates alongside fellow survivor Tony Marrero for OneBlood, a nonprofit committed to providing safe, available and affordable blood, particularly in moments of crisis, since men who’d had sex with men in the past year were denied the ability to donate blood as the tragedy unfolded.

STARTING TO HEAL. In the days following the tragedy, local Orlando LGBTQ leaders quickly learned how ill-prepared they were to meet the specific needs of their Latinx community.

Queer people in Orlando and their families who were either undocumented or didn’t speak English already faced a number of challenges in day-to-day life — things like access to resources and adequate mental health care — and saw these disparities further exacerbated immediately following Pulse.

“Pulse happened and we realized we were missing a segment of our community — we didn’t have a Spanish-speaking person here every single day, so if somebody walked in that just spoke Spanish, we were not able to service that person or help that person with what they needed,” Terry DeCarlo, executive director of The LGBT Center of Central Florida, said, adding that they’ve changed their curricu-

A man tries to explain to a child what happened June 12, 2016 at Pulse nightclub in Orlando

lum and plan to open a new office staffed entirely by Hispanic individuals. “There were things that we learned out of this and changed, but groups like QLatinx are doing amazing things.”

Other groups and services that have emerged focus on the need for comprehensive education about LGBTQ issues and experiences in order to change hearts and minds and encourage empathy.

The Dru Project is one of these groups, created by the friends of Drew Leinonen, a 32-year-old gay man who died in Pulse along with his boyfriend, Juan Guerrero.

The project’s focus is on Gay Straight Alliances in high schools, developing a curriculum for these high school groups to adopt and also to provide scholarships.

PULSE’S FUTURE Pulse nightclub is now in the process of becoming a memorial site. Daniel Alvear, who lost his daughter that night, said, “Forty years from here, whoever visits [Pulse], they will know that it happened — and that love will always conquer everything.” Q PHOTO: MELANIE DAVIS, PQ MONTHLY

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Latinx & LGBTQ in America Latinxs (the term which can refer to Latinos, Latinas, and those of other genders) have a long and rich history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer activism. Early movement pioneers include José Julio Sarria, the first openly gay candidate for public office in the United States; Sylvia Rivera, a bisexual and transgender rights activist often credited with starting the Stonewall Riots; and Gloria Anzaldúa, a noted scholar of Chicano history and lesbian rights advocate. That activist spirit continues today in the work of people such as Raffi Freedman-Gurspan, the first openly transgender person to work in the White House.

According to the Pew Research Center, Latinxs made up 17.4 percent of the total U.S. population in 2014.

Data analysis by the Williams Institute reveals there are approximately 1.4 million LGBT Latinx adults currently living in the United States. Of the 146,000 Latinx same-sex households in the U.S., 29.1 percent are raising children.

LGBTQ Latinxs tend to live in areas where there are already high concentrations of Latinx people. One-third of same-sex Latinx couples live in New Mexico, California and Texas. Other states with high LGBTQ Latinx populations include Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, New Jersey, Kansas, Florida, New York and Washington, D.C. Notably, many of these states lack statewide non-discrimination protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

What are some important issues affecting Latinx LGBTQ people in the United States?

Stemming in part from early disputes over Spanish and Mexican territories, issues affecting the Latinx LGBTQ people in the United States run the gamut — from widespread exploitation of Latinx workers to hotly contested immigration and detention policies. Some of the important issues facing LGBTQ Latinxs include: IMMIGRATION. A 2013 report by the Center for

American Progress put the total number of LGBTQ immigrants living in the United States at 904,000, with many coming from Central and South America. At least 267,000 of them are also undocumented, which can pose additional challenges, including possible mistreatment by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. For example, a 2013 report by the Government Accountability Office found that one in five substantiated sexual abuse and assault cases in ICE facilities involved transgender detainees, who only make up one in 500 ICE detainees.

LANGUAGE & ACCESS BARRIERS. According to 2010 Census data, there are nearly 61 million people in the U.S. who spoke a language other than English at home. Among the non-English speakers, twothirds spoke Spanish, which underscores the importance of language access and accessibility, especially in the provision of government services.

ECONOMIC INSECURITY. While Latinx same-sex

couples generally fare better than their heterosexual counterparts, certain members of the community are particularly vulnerable, including Latinx same-sex couples with children, and Latinx same-sex couples where one or both partners lack U.S. citizenship.

VIOLENCE & HARASSMENT. According to a 2014 report on hate violence against LGBTQ and HIV-affected communities, 15 percent of homicide victims were Latinx. Additionally, Latinx survivors of hate violence were 1.7 times more likely to experience police violence than non-Hispanics. Latinx survivors were also 1.8 times more likely to experience physical violence, 1.5 times more likely to experience discrimination, and 1.5 times more likely to experience hate violence in the workplace.

The situation is especially dire for Latinx transgender women, who experience alarmingly high rates of violence and harassment when compared to other members of the LGBTQ community. However, few are willing to turn to the police for help out of fear of revictimization and abuse by law enforcement personnel.

HIV & HEALTH INEQUITY — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that Latinxs are among the groups most heavily impacted

by HIV. Despite making up 16 percent of the U.S. population in 2010, Latinxs represented 21 percent of new HIV infections. Of the new infections, 87 percent were men and 79 percent were attributed to male on male sexual contact.

Latinxs also accounted for 21 percent of new HIV diagnoses in 2011, and one in five AIDS-related deaths. Q Reprinted with permission from Human Rights Campaign, which has additional resources for LGBT Latinx at bit.ly/HRCLatinx

28 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | LGBTQ CUBA

Cuba

LGBTQ repression or openness?

BY MARK SEGAL

As I was

standing in Revolution Square in Havana, Cuba, looking at the giant silhouette of Che Guevara, I smiled, recalling the Che Guevara Café I once visited in Beirut where I watched a male belly dancer as I was reporting on Lebanon’s first LGBT organization. It occurred to me that the relationship between the United States and the Middle East is easy to explain compared to the relationship our country has with Cuba, as well as Cuba’s position on LGBT issues.

It was 20 years ago when I reported on the state of LGBT life in Havana. The difference could not be more apparent than it was in the procedure to arrange my travel to Cuba. In 1997, as an out LGBT journalist — and refusing to be anything PHOTOS BY MARK SEGAL

but out — I received no assistance from the U.S. government, except the warning that I could have trouble re-entering the United States, since the U.S. government might not recognize LGBT reporters as legitimate journalists. As for Cuba, its embassy refused to return calls. It was almost a clandestine trip. I had to travel via Mexico and arrange hotel and other necessities through thirdand fourth-party connections. At times, it was cloak and dagger.

And there was reason for Cuban hesitance in having an LGBT journalist in the country: Life for LGBT people at that time was like 1950s America, or worse.

(Read more about that trip at http://bit. ly/2q46XUQ.) Twenty years would bring some surprises and a brush with the past, both in the United States and Cuba.

Modern U.S. travel protocol made the arrangements slightly easier than 20 years ago. The Cuban Embassy not only sped up my visa, they arranged for me to have official Cuban press credentials, which they also did for other U.S. LGBT media on the same trip. This is an amazing fact that should not be overlooked, as it makes the point clear that Cuba is attempting — with baby steps — to open its society and go after the lucrative worldwide LGBT tourism market.

The timing could not have been better, since Cuba was about to commemorate the 10th-annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, spearheaded in the country by the Cuban National Center for Sex Education.

CENESEX is headed by Mariela Castro,

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the daughter of the current president of Cuba and niece to its former president, Fidel Castro.

My first evening’s dinner proved that Cuba had changed — but at the same time is even more complex. That dinner was spent with old friend and U.S. LGBT pioneer the Rev. Troy Perry of Metropolitan Community Church, who was scheduled to receive an award from CENESEX. We dined with members of his Cuban church, headed by Elaine Saralegui, an out lesbian from Matanzas, Cuba. Their work begins to explain the story of the culture of the Cuban people and how change occurs. It’s an eye-opener for many in our country since when we speak of socialist/communist Cuba, many often think of a godless society, but indeed the last three popes have made it a point to visit Cuba. Now, about 40 percent of Cubans identify as Catholic while others follow the African Caribbean Santería faith.

In order to understand Cuba and Cubans, you must know that religion is a large part of their culture, and religious views on the LGBT community are intertwined with the country’s politics.

Example: As the country opens its doors even further, U.S. fundamentalists are looking for influence and to apostolize.

A story that’s making the rounds is that American fundamentalists offered to bring in a million Bibles and the Cuban religion minister (yes, they have a religion minister) stated, “Let the U.S. end the embargo and we’ll buy our own Bibles.”

Things have changed. But faith and that embargo influence almost all aspects of Cuba today, as its youth look to the future with a skeptical eye. But Perry’s church has a distinction. It is the first official non-government LGBT organization in Cuba, a distinction that has plagued individuals who have tried to organize independent LGBT organizations. Perry takes pride in stating that Cuba now becomes the 34th nation with MCC churches.

“We even have one in Kuala Lumpur,” he noted.

Perry’s Cuban church was conceived when he visited the island two years ago as an invited speaker for a religious conference. A local Baptist church was sponsoring a small LGBT meeting group, but after those in attendance heard Perry and his story about the battle to form MCC in the United States, and how his

faith community is LGBT-inclusive, they asked and received permission to form MCC Cuba.

The distinctions and progress don’t end there. Perry tells me that the Catholic Church in Cuba imports its priests from other Latin countries and that all MCCs will have Cuban-born ministers.

The first is Saralegui, making her the first independent out lesbian activist in Cuba who tells me with a grin that she identifies as an LGBT Christian activist.

She’s one of those individuals who was in the audience two years ago when Perry spoke and said that “God is my pastor and he knows I’m gay.” Saralegui, who was in the seminary at the time studying to be a minister for Cuba’s Baptist Church, was inspired by the address and asked her bishop about creating a church for LGBT people. A few disagreements later, MCC Matanzas (a city that considers itself Cuba’s art capital) became Cuba’s first

out Church.

When she’s not tending to her own church, which varies between 20-40 members, Saralegui travels the country performing liturgies for LGBT Cubans and anyone else who wants to hear her message of inclusion.

“I want our community to be proud,” she says with a smile through a translator.

Saralegui has already tackled some major issues. A week ago, her church held a service officiated by three international transgender ministers: from Brazil, Canada and the United States. When I ask her if she’s had any issues from members of the LGBT community about her activism, she smiles broadly and states, “Some don’t believe you can be Christian and gay.”

If you bring up the issues of trans people in Cuba, people will reference CENESEX and its program to support gender-reassignment surgery. They’ll proudly point to Clinico Quirurgico, a

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government-run hospital that specializes in such operations, and explain that like all medical needs in Cuba it’s free, and like most things in Cuba, you can’t get exact numbers.

Cuba’s past often clashes with its present. The convoluted connections and disconnections when you attempt to explain how open or repressed the LGBT community in Cuba can be is displayed by looking at a part of its shameful past — then realizing it’s something that is very present in the United States.

Meet Louis. Now 74, he survived one of Cuba’s labor camps for gay men in the 1960s. When you ask him what it was like when, at 16, he was taken to a camp, he smiles and says, “Everyone in my neighborhood said I was that way.” If you ask him how bad it was, he’ll tell you that “the second day they yelled and yelled at me, ‘Be a man, be a man.’ All day.” And when asked if they ever physically harmed him, he says, “They never hit those of us in the camps; PHOTOS BY MARK SEGAL

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they only spoke at us.” On most days, the men had to sit through what today we’d call re-programming.

“They had signs everywhere: ‘The revolution needs men.’ And they kept telling us we had to be men and gay people were not men.” When I ask what it was like each day, he tells me that, aside from listening to the psychologist camp officials brought in from Havana, the men were put to work. I try to ask him about the harshness of that work but fail and he notices, smiles and shakes his head.

According to Louis, there were many camps and each had about 120 men in it. No physical harm, but hard work that allegedly attempted to make you a hard (read: real) man. The government used to attempt to deny it ever had such camps but before his death, Fidel Castro admitted it and apologized. Louis, a short, jovial man, wanted a personal apology and he eventually received it from another Castro: CENESEX’s Mariela.

Louis is not clear on how he left the camp but he’s clear about what he did afterward.

“My old life was no more and I couldn’t go home or get work so I went to the capital [Havana],” he recalled. “I told them I lost my papers and was given new papers; they never knew about my past life.”

He studied and became a technical draftsman. He found love, and settled into life. When I ask what he thinks the future holds for Cuba’s LGBT community, he shrugs and says he’s “hopeful.” And you can see he wants people not to forget

their history, but he doesn’t want that connection to the past to impede progress. It’s a hard line he walks, but he does it with a joyous style. It amazed me a couple days later as I watched him dancing at the CENESEX rally, doing a rhumba with his friends. Louis was enjoying life and its new freedoms, but never letting go of those memories of a different time.

Americans, especially LGBT Americans, use the camps as a hammer against Cuba, but while Cuba has moved on, the U.S. still has its equivalent: conversion-therapy camps. And some of those camps do hand out corporeal punishment. As to numbers, Louis tells me that several-thousand gay inmates were housed in a section of Cuba far from Havana. In the U.S, conversion therapy is still flourishing and is associated with that word again: religion. If you don’t get the theme, think about Uganda and its “Kill the Gays” legislation. Again, it’s fundamentalism.

The reality is that you can’t judge Cuba on its treatment of LGBT people in the past. Louis wants to live for today, and in today’s Cuba, at least for the LGBT community, things have changed. It’s not all about weekend dance parties that are now all the rage with the LGBT community.

My tour guide, Leandro Velazco, states about LGBT tourism: “We have bars, nightly ‘inclusion’ parties, a couple of good restaurants, a state-run LGBT organization, occasional festivals and even Grindr.” When I look quizzically at him, he tells me about something called Planet Romeo, which he said was the first LGBT social-networking site to hit Cuba several years ago. His business, GaytoursHavana.com, like many in Cuba, is adjusting to the ’Net, hoping that the promise of LGBT tourism in Cuba becomes a reality.

Before leaving for Cuba, it was handy to google Amnesty International to see what it had on Cuban repression. The background states: “The re-establishment of relations between the USA and Cuba in 2015 led to increased trade and tourism between the two countries in 2016. For example, commercial air services from the USA to Cuba resumed after more than 50 years.” You can read the full report at www.amnesty.org/en/countries/americas/ cuba/report-cuba/#.

So where’s the repression? Each time I asked someone to name a famous LGBT person, they all said the same. They’d

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mention a name and say, “We know, but they keep it to themselves.”

I thought of that as I marched in the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia rally, along with almost 1,000 Cubans. They shouted socialist slogans peppered with “End Homophobia and Transphobia Now.” There were no corporate sponsors, which reminded me of our first gay Pride in the United States, and

indeed this looked more like a gay Pride celebration than a march of defiance. At the rally, there were a few speeches and then a dance and festival. CENESEX used the time and event for HIV education, condom distribution and testing.

Once you work out the political dissertation, you can then try and unravel the country’s views on LGBT tourism. There’s no question that Cuba wants to get in the game. There are at least four LGBT tourguide sites on the web and numerous individuals and travel groups in the United States who specialize in LGBT tourism to Cuba. And surrounding the 10th-annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, the government gave official press credentials to several LGBT media outlets. So Cuba is open. How open, and to what kind of travel?

Cuba is home to great weather, beaches, mountains, incredible colonial architecture and some of the most hospitable people you’ll ever meet, but at times due to that touchy subject of the U.S. embargo — which some claim is keeping this country in economic turmoil while others say it is the government’s

political repression that stifles Cuba — it seems the country is in a time capsule.

That can be a curse or a charm. The old U.S. Buicks and Chevys are an example.

They’re charming but their prevalence points out that new cars are at a premium — although that has begun to change, as has the hospitality industry, which languished for years. On the way to the airport, you notice parking lots full of new taxis and tour buses waiting for the explosion of tourists.

Cubans call their country “The Pearl of the Caribbean,” but that pearl is trapped by the U.S. embargo, which wreaks havoc on tourism. There is not one place in all of Cuba that you can use an American credit card. Therefore, cash is a requirement.

How many Americans want to travel with a wad of cash in their pockets?

There is no way to write about Cuba and not elicit strong views on one side or the other. What I can say after speaking with Cubans themselves is that they want change and they don’t want to be the pawns among governments. Q Mark Segal is a member of the National Equality Media Association and publisher of Philadelphia Gay News.

2017 / 2018 oct Aladdin

19–22 Family Series

nov Carmina 3–11 Burana

with Serenade

dec The 2–30 Nutcracker

New Sets and Costumes!

feb Cinderella 9–25

apr The Shakespeare 13–21 Suite with Return to a Strange Land and Summerspace

may National 18–26 Choreographic Festival

season tickets packages start at $57 801·869·6920 | balletwest.org return to a strange land. artists of ballet west | photo by beau pearson

32 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | DAMN THESE HEELS

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QSaltLake’s Guide to the

“Through its lyrical structure, Chavela will take viewers on an evocative, thought-provoking journey through the iconoclastic life of game-changing artist Chavela Vargas. Utah Premiere Winner: 2nd Place Best Documentary–2017 Berlin International Film Festival

AFTER LOUIE / USA DIR: VINCENT GAGLIOSTRO

LGBTQ Fil Festival Utah Film Center has announced most of films selected to screen in the 2017 Damn These Heels Film Festival, which will run July 14–16, at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center in downtown Salt Lake City. Organizers bill the festival as “a celebration of independent, documentary, and foreign films from around the world that explore LGBTQ issues, ideas, and art.” Passes are now on sale at utahfilmcenter.org/dth2017.

The Festival will open with a screening of BEHIND THE CURTAIN: TODRICK HALL with director Katherine Fairfax Wright in attendance for a guided discussion after the film. A second round of official selections including the Centerpiece Screening and Closing Night, along with event and special guest details will be released in the coming weeks. Films in the program were selected by a 24 member programming committee made up of Utah Film Center staff, community members, and representatives from other organizations including a teen committee from the Utah Pride’s Youth Activity Center.

Patrick Hubley, Director of Programming for the Utah Film Center said, “Through Damn These Heels screenings and events we hope to continue to foster the spirit of inclusion, unity and tenacity in the Utah community. These films from all over the world show that now more than ever we need to celebrate our shared humanity no matter our race or sexual orientation. These stories need to be told and we cannot wait to kick off our 14th year with such a thought-provoking program.”

After Louie explores the contradictions of modern gay life and history through Sam Alan Cumming, a man desperate to understand how he and his community got to where they are today. Utah Premiere Official Selection: 2017 BFI FIare Film Festival

BEHIND THE CURTAIN: TODRICK HALL / USA DIRECTOR: KATHERINE FAIRFAX WRIGHT Todrick Hall launches his most ambitious project yet: the full-scale original musical, Straight Outta Oz. From a small town in Texas to big-time show business, comes an inspiring documentary of grit, perseverance and the redemptive power of art.

We watch him struggle to write songs about growing up gay and black in smalltown Texas, his difficult relationship with his mom, and the harsh realities of trying to make it in show business. With limited time and budget the odds are against him, but Todrick’s passion and his team of talented performers overcome all obstacles to bring this story to the world.

Utah Premiere Official Selection: 2017 SXSW Film Festival, 2017 Outfest *Opening Night Film **Director Katherine Fairfax Wright will attend the festival for a guided discussion.

DON’T CALL ME SON / BRAZIL DIRECTOR:

ANNA MUYLAERT

Tall, dark, androgynously handsome, Pierre wears eyeliner and a black lace g-string, while having sex with both boys and girls. The confusion only goes deeper when the teenager’s single, working-class mom is arrested for having stolen him at birth. His biological parents are thrilled to have him back, until he shows up in a zebra-print mini dress. Utah Premiere Winner: Jury Award–2016 Berlin International Film Festival

FEMME BRUTAL

/ AUSTRIA DIRECTOR: NICK PROKESCH AND LIESA KOVACS

A naked female* body stepping on a stage with self-confidence and autonomy is still a highly political, radical act. Through their queer-feminist performances the seven artists* of Club Burlesque Brutal demand the normality of female* desire.

Utah Premiere Official Selection: 2016 London BFI Flare

FREE CECE / USA DIRECTOR: JACQUELINE GARES CHAVELA

/ USA/MEXICO/SPAIN DIRECTOR: CATHERINE GUND AND DARESHA KYI

CeCe McDonald survived a brutal attack, only to be incarcerated for defending her life. After an international movement

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to free her, CeCe emerged as a leader to interrogate the prison industrial complex and inspire women to fight back when attacked. Utah Premiere Cast: CeCe McDonald, Laverne Cox Audience Award Winner: Feature Documentary—2016 Blackstar Film Festival

heart of a girl while the other discovers new feelings toward his best friend.

When summer ends and the harsh nature of Iceland takes back its rights, it’s time to leave the playground and face adulthood. Utah Premiere Winner: Queer Lion–2016 Venice Film Festival; Official Selection: 2016 Toronto International Film Festival

GOD’S OWN COUNTRY / U.K. DIRECTOR:

FRANCIS LEE

It’s spring in Yorkshire. Young farmer Johnny Saxby numbs his daily frustrations with binge drinking and casual sex, until the arrival of a Romanian migrant worker for lambing season ignites an intense relationship that sets Johnny on a new path.

Winner: World Cinema Dramatic Directing Award–2017 Sundance Film Festival *Centerpiece Screening presented in partnership with Sundance Institute

I DREAM IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE

/ MEXICO/NETHERLANDS DIRECTOR: ERNESTO CONTRERAS

A young linguist travels to the jungle of Mexico to research a language on the verge of disappearing. Once there, he discoverers its last two speakers clashed 50 years ago, and have refused to speak to each other since. Attempting to reunite them, the researcher discovers a secret past—and a forbidden gay love story.

Cast: Fernando Álvarez Rebeil, Eligio Meléndez, Manuel Poncelis, Fátima Molina, Juan Pablo De Santiago, Hoze Meléndez Winner: Audience Award World Cinema Dramatic 2017 Sundance Film Festival

HANDSOME DEVIL / IRELAND DIRECTOR: JOHN

BUTLER

Ned and Conor are forced to share a bedroom at their rugby-mad boarding school.

The loner and the star athlete form an unlikely friendship until it’s tested by the authorities. Utah Premiere Winner: Best Irish Feature–2017 Dublin International Film Festival

LIKE FOAM / SPAIN DIRECTOR: ROBERTO PÉREZ

TOLEDO

POLITICAL ANIMALS / USA DIRECTOR: JOHN

MARKOWITZ, TRACY WARES

A rousing documentary charting the unstoppable force of four lesbian legislators in California who’ve been fighting for LGBT rights and recognition for decades.

Utah Premiere Cast: Carole Migden, Sheila Kuehl, Jackie Goldberg, Christine Kehoe Winner: Audience Award—2016 Los Angeles Film Festival, Provincetown International Film Festival and 8 other awards.

PUSHING DEAD / USA DIRECTOR: TOM E.

BROWN

When a struggling writer, HIV-positive for 20+ years, accidentally deposits a $100 birthday check, he is dropped from his health plan for earning too much. In this new era of sort-of universal care, can he take on a helpless bureaucracy or come up with $3000 a month to buy his meds on his own? Utah Premiere Cast: James Roday, Robin Weigert, Danny Glover, Khandi Alexander, Tom Riley Winner: Audience Award—Frameline 40; 2016 Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival; 2017 Ashland Independent Film Festival; 2016 Fresno Reel Pride Film Festival

A message circulates from mobile phone to mobile phone. A bunch of strangers meet in a mansion. They come searching for sex, but never has an orgy been so full of love. West Coast Premiere Official Selection: 2017 MiFo LGBT FF Miami

THE QUEEN OF IRELAND / IRELAND DIREC-

HEARTSTONE

/ DENMARK/ICELAND DIRECTOR: GUDMUNDUR ARNAR GUDMUNDSSON

A remote fishing village in Iceland. Teenage boys Thor and Christian experience a turbulent summer as one tries to win the

TOR: CONOR HORGAN

Documentary about the life of Irish drag queen Panti Bliss, created by Rory O’Neill. Over the last few years Rory has become a figurehead for LGBT rights in Ireland and since the recent scandal

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around ‘Pantigate,’ his fight for equality and against homophobia has become recognised across the world. Utah Premiere Winner: Best Documentary– 2015 Dublin Film Critics Circle Award

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Utah Premiere Official Selection: 2017 BFI Flare: London LGBT Film Festival

SIGNATURE MOVE / USA DIRECTOR: JENNIFER

REEDER

RAISING ZOEY / USA DIRECTOR: DANTE ALEN-

CASTRE

13 year-old Zoey wants nothing more than to simply go to school, learn, have fun with friends and be a kid. Unfortunately, ignorance and intolerance have not always made this easy. Zoey, with the help of her mother and the ACLU, fought school officials for her right to self-identify in school. Even in the face of bullying and endless teasing from both school officials and students, Zoey determinedly continues in the hopes of helping others persevere in living their authentic lives.

A hilarious and heartfelt look at modern families and the complexities of love in its many forms. Utah Premiere Cast: Fawzia Mirza, Shabana Azmi, Sari Sanchez, Audrey Francis, Charin Alvarez Official Selection: 2017 SXSW Film Festival

SMALL TALK / TAIWAN DIRECTOR: HUI-CHEN

HUANG

Taiwanese filmmaker Hui-chen Huang knows her mother is a lesbian, but just about nothing else about her. They have lived like strangers under one roof for decades, and almost never talk to each other.

One day Hui-chen finally summons up the courage to sit her down and make her mother talk. But is she ready to hear what she has to say? Utah Premiere Winner: Teddy Award for Best Documentary Film–2017 Berlin International Film Festival

Everything from Angels to Zen

TAMARA

/ VENEZUELA/URUGUAY/PERU DIRECTOR: ELIA K. SCHNEIDER

12896 S Pony Express Rd Suite 200 in Draper (just north of IKEA) 801.333.3777 www.ilovelotus.com

LotusStore

A successful lawyer with a wife and two kids finally comes to terms with his visceral desire to become a woman. He is determined to follow his heart, even though this will turn his whole world upside down and put his life at risk. So his trip to gender reassignment begins.

Utah Premiere

Winner: Nueva Vision Award–2017 Santa Barbara International Film Festival

THE UNTAMED

/ MEXICO/DENMARK/FRANCE DIRECTOR: AMAT ESCALANTE

A couple in a troubled marriage locate a meteorite, initiating an encounter with a mysterious creature. Their lives are turned upside down by the discovery of the creature, which is a source of both pleasure and destruction. Utah Premiere Winner: Best Director–2016 Venice Film Festival

THE UNTOLD TALES OF ARMISTEAD MAUPIN / USA DIRECTOR: JENNIFER M. KROOT Celebrates one of the world’s most beloved storytellers, following his evolution from a conservative son of the Old South into a gay rights pioneer whose novels inspired millions to reclaim their lives.

Utah Premiere Audience Award Winner: Documentary Spotlight—2017 SXSW Film Festival; Jury Award: Best Documentary—2017 OUTSHINE Film Festival

A VERY SORDID WEDDING / USA DIREC-

TOR: DEL SHORES

As a hilarious follow-up to Sordid Lives, this film explores the questions, bigotry and the fallout of what happens when gay marriage comes to communities and families that are not quite ready to accept it.Utah Premiere Official Selection: 2017 FilmOut–San Diego LGBT Film Festival

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Damn These Heels LGBTQ Film Festival Schedule All films shown at the Rose Wagner Center for Performing Arts, 138 W Broadway St. (300 South).

10–11:45 am CHAVELA 11:45 am–1:30 pm HANDSOME DEVIL

10:30 pm–12:15 am THE UNTAMED (LA REGIÓN SALVAJE)

Sunday, July 16 10–11:30 am FREE CECE

Friday, July 14

12:15–2 pm THE QUEEN OF IRELAND

7:30–9:15 pm BEHIND THE CURTAIN: TODRICK HALL

2–3:30 pm POLITICAL ANIMALS

12:15–1:45 pm SMALL TALK (RI CHANG DUI HUA)

10–11:59 pm TAMARA

2:30–4 pm RAISING ZOEY

10:30 pm–12:15 am LIKE FOAM (COMO LA ESPUMA)

4:15–6:30 pm HEARTSTONE (HJARTASTEINN)

2:45–4:45 pm A VERY SORDID WEDDING

Saturday, July 15 9:30–11:15 am I DREAM IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE (SUEÑO EN OTRO IDIOMA)

7–8:30 pm SIGNATURE MOVE

12–2 pm PUSHING DEAD

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36 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | DAMN THESE HEELS

5

reasons why you need to attend more LGBT film festivals

BY MIKEY ROX

As someone

who writes about LGBT entertainment on a regular basis (and has plenty of eye-rolls to give about the kind of content we’re putting out there; Prince Charming, anyone?), it was heartening to see recently at the OUTshine Film Festival in Miami (formerly MiFo) that the artists in charge of bringing our stories to life — whether triumphant or tragic or even mundane (our lives aren’t always disco balls and Unicorn Frappuccinos, after all) — have their fingers on the pulse of where we’re at as a community.

But this and other LGBT film festivals are much more than grabbing a box of Sno-Caps and settling in for a flick about me and you. Here’s why it’s important — no, you’re duty — to attend an LGBT film festival ASAP.

film festivals tell our stories 1. LGBT even if mainstream media won’t You can count on one hand the number of LGBT films that have caught mainstream attention over the past two decades. Not films featuring LGBT characters, but rather films about LGBT characters. Ask any of your straight friends (hell, even your younger gay friends) to name an LGBT film and I’m willing to bet you get one of three movies in response: Brokeback Mountain, The Birdcage and Moonlight. The latter of the three was only released last year, and therein lies the problem: Hollywood is still afraid to bring LGBT movies to the big screen. One argument is that

there’s little money to be made off LGBT movies, but that’s just not true. Great LGBT movies bring in serious cash, like Brokeback’s $178.1 million haul on a $14 million budget and Moonlight’s $55.8 million take with a super-tight $1.5 million budget.

What these three films have in common — as they do with most other LGBT films that have seen the light of day — is the internal struggle we all deal with as LGBT people. Coming out (or not coming out as is often the case) is perhaps our biggest story arc, and it’s the only one Hollywood seems willing to tell. Aside from us dying of AIDS, of course. (*eye-roll*) This alone is a strong case for LGBT film festivals.

“LGBT film festivals ensure there is an audience for LGBT films, which otherwise may struggle to prove their value in a mainstream market, and thus never get made,” says Ebony Rhodes, an OUTshine Film Festival board member. “LGBT and allies can support the film festival by sharing and promoting the event as a relevant cultural arts partner in the larger community through all regular channels of communication. Raising awareness of LGBT film festivals also means we must support the actual filmmakers and talent by learning more about their work and supporting their careers by buying their films or supporting media platforms that feature their films, shorts or web series.”

They bring awareness to 2. our issues and humanize the LGBT experience Another reason LGBT films find it difficult to make their way into mainstream moviegoers’ consciousness is that mainstream audiences don’t “get” us. They’re not LGBT, so how can they relate, right? Obviously we

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know that we deal with all the same issues the rest of humanity deals with (except having to one day reveal our sexual orientation like what’s behind curtain number three on Let’s Make a Deal), but sometimes it takes strapping our family members to a movie theater recliner for two hours to get our point across. While local megaplexes are lacking options to help us hold our friends and family captive, LGBT film festivals are providing these experiences in droves.

Some of the best movies I’ve ever seen — LGBT or otherwise — I saw at OUTshine last month. This is not an exaggeration.

French-Canadian film 1:54, about school bullying, is not only topical but it should be required viewing for anyone under age 30. I beg you to find it (and a big box of Kleenex) and watch it with someone you love.

They’re a great way to meet 3. other cultured members of the LGBT community While LGBT film festivals celebrate our stories in theaters, they also encourage creating more stories in the real world. To that end, there are plenty of opportunities to mix and mingle with other attendees at these festivals, with post-screening discussions, cocktail parties, brunches and cultural activities around town that bring us together without having to open a single app.

spend their pink 4. Attendees dollars in our communities

I spent 10 days in Miami for OUTshine (it’s a major event for the LGBT community, as are the other fests around the country) while other attendees came in and out of Magic City at their leisure to enjoy the films they most wanted to see, as well as dine, shop and relax.

When I wasn’t inside a theater, I was out exploring the surroundings — and spending my gay money. I enjoyed the area’s abundance of incredible restaurants (I recommend Orange Blossom and Yardbird Southern Table & Bar), rented a Jet Ski on the ocean, popped into the Pérez Art Museum in downtown, threw back a few drinks at Sugar atop the East Hotel, hit up a vinyl store to cop an album for my record player at home, and played gay bingo at Hôtel Gaythering. Proceeds from the latter supported OUT Miami, so it was money well spent.

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LGBT film festivals 5. remind us we’re not alone in our individual struggles

Being LGBT can feel lonely at times, especially when we’re not represented equally in the content we consume that allows us to see ourselves and recognize that other LGBT people are going through the same things we are. That’s changing on television — GLADD reported the highest number of LGBT characters ever on television last year — but we’re still not equitably represented in movies, or at least not in the ones that hit major theaters. So we must continue to find the content that does represent us and fully support it.

Say Rhodes, “LGBT film festivals are important because we learn to truly accept ourselves as LGBT,

from having positive role models and access to validating narratives that help us process otherwise confusing, complex and often scary emotions within ourselves. The film festival provides a supportive environment to reminisce, rejoice and affirm our own identity and the fact that we are not alone.”

Remember that: You are not alone, my friends. Grab a pal.

See a movie. Stay proud.

OUTshine hosts two LGBT film festivals a year: Miami in April and Ft. Lauderdale in October; it will host its first seven-day film festival cruise in Feb. 2018 aboard Celebrity Equinox. For more information, visit outshinefilm.com. Q Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. @mikeyrox.

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38 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | UTAH PRIDE PHOTOS

Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 269 | JULY 2017

2017 Utah Pride Festival and Parade photos Photographer Jay Windley was all over Pride this year and provided these photos special for QSaltlake. As you can see, Pride is a rainbow of color and a sea of happy faces.

40 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | A&E

Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 269 | JULY 2017

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A&E | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 41

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SF Gay Men’s Chorus will preview ‘The Lavender Pen Tour’ in Park City The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus scrapped plans for an international tour for its 40th season after the November elections, and instead will embark on a tour of six southern states that have what they call “major discriminatory

laws aimed at the LGBTQ+ community.” The tour begins in October, but Utah fans can see a sneak peek August 6 at the Deer Valley Resort as part of Park City Institute’s St. Regis Big Stars Bright Nights concert series.

“The Lavender Pen Tour will harness the power of SFGMC’s message of equality and inclusiveness, and the value in treating all individuals with dignity,” said Teri Orr, executive director of the Park City Institute. “They will bring their songs of inspiration, hope — and a healthy dose of their signature whimsy — to our stage.”

SFGMC’s Dr. Timothy Seelig, artistic director, said the tour was in direct response to the November elections. “[T]he 300-plus members of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus have, along with the entire LGBTQ community, been navigating our collective way through feelings of shock and despair [since the elec-

tion],” said Seelig. “We hope our presence and our music will encourage our brothers and sisters, educate others and challenge those communities to think differently.”

“We, as a country, have a long road to travel,” said Chris

Verdugo, executive director.

“Our LGBT youth fear what their future might look like.

We have a duty and obligation to protect them and the freedoms we have rigorously fought for over the last eight years. We believe this tour is a step in the right direction that will build bridges of understanding, compassion and empathy.”

The all-volunteer chorus has used its talents for social justice since its first appearance in 1978 at the candlelight vigil following the assassinations of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk. Their first nine-city U.S. tour in 1981, was so impactful, the Chorus helped many of its host cities establish their own gay men’s choral groups. Today artistic director Dr. Timothy Seelig leads over 275 singers in the large chorus, as well as four outreach vocal ensembles.

“It is our hope that the music will encourage LGBTQ+ people and our allies to come

together, provoke conversations and action around civil liberties for all, while raising funds for local LGBT organizations,” said SFGMC’s Peter Zimmerman. “We are taking this opportunity to marshal our mosaic of powerful, positive voices to empower our fellow Americans, especially our LGBTQ+ youth, and

equally in a hopeful attempt to offer an outstretched hand and have an honest dialogue about the future of our country. We are not looking to argue, to preach or anger, but rather raise awareness, spread tolerance and bring harmony through song.” Q Tickets are on sale by phone at 435-6553114 or online bigstarsbrightnights.org.

They are also available in person at the Eccles Center Box Office, 1750 Kearns Boulevard in Park City, the Mega Genius Supply Store and IQ HQ, 435 Swede Alley, Park City, or the Deer Valley Signatures Store, 625 Main Street, Park City

42 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | Q&A

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Honestly Loved

Interviewed shortly before her new cancer diagnosis, Olivia Newton-John talks of her dream to cure cancer; gay adoration; and how she’s ‘here and still going’

BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI

“My dream

is to see an end to cancer in my lifetime,” Olivia Newton-John told me at the end of April, just weeks before announcing that she’d been diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer that has spread to the sacrum bone in her back. The entertainer and Grease star first battled breast cancer in 1992, and lost her sister to brain cancer in 2013. She turned her personal loss into a universal catharsis on her October 2016 release, LIV ON, a collaborative album featuring singer-songwriters Beth Nielsen Chapman and Amy Sky. Scheduled as a preview for her summer tour, which has since been postponed due to her health, Newton-John was in good spirits during our recent interview. Expectedly, the 68-year-old Aussie singer-actress exuded warmth and humility — and, as she reflected on queer-aligned moments in her career, the kind of charming laughter that’s made her one of the most approachable icons of our time.

“I love you guys,” Newton-John said, doting on her vast gay following. “You’re so loyal and lovely to me, and I appreciate you.”

I told her we honestly love her back, and we talked about her professional highs and personal passions — and how cancer, which she is now suddenly battling, is what she’s determined to help cure.

How would you compare yourself as an artist now versus when the world first met you in Grease and Xanadu? I think I’ve been through so many different eras. With Grace and Gratitude [2006] and my Gaia [1994] albums, both were kind of mellow, so I have done this before. [It’s] usually on albums that have a theme to them, or when I’ve gone through some kind of crisis, which are those two albums and this one. This album was

born out of me losing my sister. It was kind of inspired by that, and it was just important to me to make this record to help heal ourselves and help other people, because I think grief is not something that is talked about enough. It can lead to depression and anxiety, and people don’t even realize that they’re sad, and so they use other means to cover it up and they don’t talk about it because people make them feel they should be over it. There’s no time when there’s a loss.

Loss is different for everybody. The people you’ve lost, they’ll always be in your life; they’ll always be there, in your heart.

What was your first introduction to the gay community? Did you know gay people growing up in the U.K.? I probably did, but I probably didn’t decipher between them and anybody else. They were all just people.

I had very loving parents who were very open, so I don’t think I ever thought about it that much. In the ’70s, I was very close to my hairdresser/makeup person who sadly died of AIDS and that was a terrible, terrible shock. In show business, there’s a very high percentage of gay people, so I’ve just always been around them.

If a gay fan stops you on the street, what project of yours are they most likely to gush over? Sordid Lives. (Laughs) But it depends!

It’s hard! Because there are many, many gay men and women, and they all love something different — they’re just people, so they all have different taste. But a lot of them have been touched by the message in Sordid Lives if they had or have a problem coming out to their family.

Where does playing a tattooed lesbian ex-con in that movie rank on your list of accomplishments? (Laughs) It was fun! I did it for fun! Because I love [writer and director] Del Shores, who is my friend. He was actu-

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ally my sister’s best friend — that’s how that came about, because of their friendship. If my sister hadn’t known Del, I wouldn’t have gone to the play and then I wouldn’t have said, “If you ever make this into a movie, think of me.” It was all kind of in fun, and then it happened.

Like many gay men of my generation, my introduction to you was the “Physical” video. I remember being surprised seeing two gay men walking out of the gym together, holding hands. Considering being gay was more taboo during that time, how do you reflect on that groundbreaking moment when it comes to gay inclusivity? You know what, I don’t think I even realized it at the time. I just thought it was extremely funny.

Whenever someone tells me that “Physical” is sexy, it makes me laugh because, to me, it’s just funny, you know? And the director really should take credit: Brian Grant, an Englishman who was great fun and did nearly all my videos at that time. Of course, the choreographer [Kenny Ortega] is gay, and all the boys were our friends. And it was hilarious! We just had a blast, and until you said that I hadn’t really thought of it as being groundbreaking. It seemed quite natural at the time. But I thought it was a very funny twist at the end.

The video came out in 1981, when there was still a lot of resistance regarding gay issues.

Gay marriage wasn’t, obviously, legal. That is true. I don’t even know if it was being talked about then. It was just part of my life.

As kitschy as it is, it still put gay people in many living rooms across the world. Looking back now, I realize that. But I was so busy doing what I was doing — working. I didn’t reflect on things as much then. I was too busy doing them!

What’s it like when you perform “Physical” these days? Are you surrounded by shirtless, sweaty gay men? Only in the audience if they choose to do that! (Laughs) But no, just my singers on stage come and jump around, and my guitarist comes forward and we do the guitar solo. We just have fun. I try to get the audience t-o have fun.

Do you strip it down? Do you do a cabaret version of the song? No, no; we do it like

the record. They want to hear it like it was. I always remember going to see a famous artist when I was a young girl, and when she did sing her songs, she changed them. I remember making a note: If I’m ever lucky enough to be that successful, I’m going to do them the way they were done. That’s what people wanna hear.

Which artist are you referring to? Oh, it’s an artist and I don’t want to mention her name. Her whole show was not — it was just, I was anticipating all the hits and they didn’t come, and then when she did them she changed them up. That was just an important lesson for me.

It’s Pride season. As someone who’s been a mainstay on the Pride circuit, can you reflect on some of your most memorable experiences at Pride? I have been a part of many Mardi Gras celebrations in Sydney, and I can never remember places, so you have to forgive me, but it was off New York and that was the night gay marriage was passed. It was incredibly exciting. Everybody was celebrating. So those are the two that stick out for me. And I’ve done other ones too with incredible crowds. A lot of fun. My gay fans are a lot of fun.

What was going through your mind when marriage equality became a reality that day? I was just very happy for them and happy for the gay community that they have equality. I’ve always said this and I’ll say it again: Love is love. That’s all it is.

You were one of the first stars to speak out on marriage equality in Australia. How are you feeling about the fact that it’s still not a reality there? It’s ridiculous. I hope a change is made. And it is really silly and it needs to change, and I hope it does. I don’t get involved politically, really, but I just think this issue is obvious — it’s ridiculous. If people love each other, they should be able to form a partnership and that’s that.

It seems so simple when you put it like that It is simple.

I came across a video of you acknowledging lesbian rumors that were circulating about you in the ’80s. I had no idea people ever thought you were a lesbian. Yeah, I

remember that. It was very odd. I couldn’t figure out why, but it didn’t do me any harm, obviously. (Laughs) Actually, I think it might’ve benefited you.

I think it was probably a good rumor! It was a nice rumor, not a mean rumor.

Do mean rumors about Olivia Newton-John actually exist? I’m sure there have been some! I try not to tune in to negativity. I tune that stuff out, so I don’t know.

What is left for you to accomplish? Everything now is icing on the cake. I thought I was gonna retire in 2000, and here I am.

I’m still going. And doing the Sydney Olympics [in 2000] was like, “Wow, nothing can be better than this.” Then I built my hospital [Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre in Melbourne, Australia, where she will receive treatments for her new cancer diagnosis] and I think that was probably the greatest achievement in my life, to have helped raise the money to build this amazing cancer center that’s helping so many people. And to have Gaia, my wellness retreat — that is also helping to heal people.

So, I feel very grateful for all that I have achieved. The wonderful thing about these achievements is that it’s giving back to people — it’s not just about me. It’s helping other people move forward in their lives, for their future, which is much more important.

More important than...? Than fame. It’s a different kind of fame; it’s something that’s gonna help people’s lives and quality of life. The cancer center and wellness program are my babies, and I really care deeply for cancer patients, having gone through it myself. Now, we have an amazing research center at my cancer center and we just did some groundbreaking research that was published in Australia, so we’re doing amazing things there. My dream is to see an end to cancer in my lifetime and that the hospital becomes a wellness center, just focusing on wellness — that’s my dream. Q As editor of Q Syndicate, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. Reach him at chris-azzopardi.com and on Twitter @chrisazzopardi.

44 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | FOOD & DRINK

Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 269 | JULY 2017

food & drink Cocktails for Summer Parties Cocktails taste better when they're enjoyed with good company, but rather than craft a bunch of different beverages (I mean, who really wants to be stuck with bartending duty all party long?), make pitcher drinks like sangria, margaritas, and punch. All you have to do is make a large batch, and everyone gets a glass on demand.

Hooray! Here are two of our favorites, just in time for that pool party, BBQ, or whatever else you have planned.

Strawberry-Peach Sangria Whether you’re looking for an easy way to entertain guests at a housewarming party, backyard barbecue, or low-key dinner, pitchers of strawberry-peach sangria are the ideal liquid solution. The rainbow assortment of fruit makes for a stunning display — plus it’s fun to get a little buzz from munching on the wine-soaked ripe Summer fruit.

Simply make the pitcher(s) in advance, let the lovely fruit marinate and cool in your fridge for a few hours, and get ready to fiesta the easy way.

1 large orange, cut into ¼-inch half-moon slices 1 large lemon, cut into ¼-inch round slices 1 large peach, pitted and cut into ¼-inch half-moon slices 1½ cups strawberries, sliced

½ cup peach liqueur 1 750-mL bottle dry white wine, (pinot grigio) 1½ cups sparkling Moscato wine

Chill up to four hours.

Before serving, give sangria a good stir, mashing the fruit slightly.

VodkaBerry Cocktail This is my homage to Norwegian forests, where we pick berries. Rosemary adds a piney note.

The drink is very easy: Just muddle the berries and rosemary together and pour the other ingredients on top. Sometimes I make it in a pitcher, and when just the berries remain on the bottom, I fill it up with a cheap bottle of red wine and put it in the fridge. The next day, I have fresh sangria. ½ cup granulated sugar ½ cup water 6 raspberries 10 blueberries 4 blackberries 2 sprigs fresh rosemary Ice ½ lime, juiced ½ cup vodka Ginger ale

In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes. Refrigerate until cold, about 30 minutes.

Divide the berries and rosemary between two old-fashioned glasses. Muddle well with the handle of a wooden spoon. Fill the glasses with ice. Divide the chilled sugar syrup, lime juice, and vodka between the glasses and stir well. Top with the ginger ale, and serve. Q

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46 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | HEALTH

Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 269 | JULY 2017

positive thoughts From darkness to hope: Growing up in the AIDS generation

BY DESIREÉ GUERRERO

I don’t

exactly remember when I first heard the word “AIDS.” I know it was at some point during my childhood in the mid-1980s, when the epidemic first hit the world with full force. I remember hearing about it often on the news. I remember when Rock Hudson (one of my mother’s favorite film stars) passed away from its complications. I remember Elizabeth Taylor becoming an activist for it. But what I remember most was the first time HIV touched my young life – and how it would continue to do so throughout my life.

It was 1988. I was 11 years old. I was visiting my best friend Cindy* at her grandparents’ house, as I often did after school. They lived across the street and she would go there after school until her parents got home from work. Cindy had a handsome young uncle, James, an artist who lived there as well. A young artist myself, I was very interested in him and his art (and I also thought he was very cute). Any chance I could, I would try to worm my way in to see him and talk to him when I was visiting Cindy.

It had been awhile since I had seen James. I was just getting over a cold, and after hearing me cough, I heard James yell frantically from the other room, “Who’s coughing? Get her out of here!” Cindy’s grandmother quickly entered the living room and politely ushered me out, telling me that James was ill and couldn’t be exposed to germs.

I remember being very hurt and confused to be sent home. Had I done something wrong? Was I dirty and germy? Most of all, I was devastated at being rejected and kicked out by my girlhood crush. The next day, when Cindy and I were walking home from school, I asked her what kind of illness James had.

Without nervousness or hesitation, she said, “Oh, he has AIDS.” Needless to say, I was heartbroken. I was young, but I knew enough to know

that this was (at the time) a deadly condition. I could not believe this beautiful and talented young man could be dying, which by that point, he was. Sadly, I never saw James again. He passed away soon after, and all that remained were his paintings that hung on the walls of his parents’ home, now serving as silent memorials.

Fast forward one decade, to the mid1990s. My family receives the news that a very dear relative, Uncle Felipe, was in the hospital and was not expected to make it. What happened? Was it an accident? Cancer?

“No,” my mother explained, “he has AIDS.” Fear ran through me like a cold, nauseating shiver. There was that word again. That word that had taken Cindy’s Uncle James over 10 years before.

Uncle Felipe was just about the kindest, sweetest, funniest person you would ever want to know. He was always smiling, bearing gifts and telling entertaining stories. You couldn’t help but feel happier and lighter when he was around.

Felipe passed away two weeks after we found out he was ill, and per his request, we were not allowed to see him in the end. He did not want us to remember him being sick, wasting away to nothing in a hospital bed, but rather to remember him as the happy, healthy, charming man he always was.

For the second time in my life, I saw this virus take away someone dear to me, quickly and without mercy. But as time marched on, so did advancements in treatment. As we rolled into the 2000s, I began to hear the term HIV-positive more and more, and the term AIDS less and less – something that gave me hope, since I only knew the latter to equate to death. Celebrities who opened up about being poz, like Magic Johnson and Greg Louganis, also served as inspiration, as we saw them to continue to _live_ and be healthy – something we didn’t see much

back in the ’80s.

It was around 2009 when I discovered a very close friend of mine was HIV-positive. I had met Sergio when we had worked together in an office building nearly two decades ago. He was funny, fashionable and strange – just like me — and we became instant friends. I figured that Sergio was gay, but he insisted he was not, and I never pressed the subject.

We kept in touch over the years, and we finally decided to get together and have dinner and drinks and catch up. Before we met up, he had told me over the phone, “A lot has changed. I have so much to tell you.”

I assumed that what had changed was that he was out of the closet, so I wasn’t surprised when he told me he that was gay. I was surprised, however, when he then told me he was HIV-positive. But this time, hearing the news was very different than my previous experiences. This time, it was my dear friend, my contemporary, my peer. This time, I was being told by the person themselves, not hearing about it only as they were dying.

And this time, I saw the same healthy young man in front of me who I had always known.

Although I was obviously concerned about his health and emotional state, that shiver of fear did not run through me like with Uncle Felipe. This time, I immediately thought about antiretroviral treatment and asked him if he was on it (he was). This time, I thought, “We’ve got this; I’m not letting this take you away.

You’re going to be OK.” Today, Sergio is still doing fine – dating, traveling and living his life. In fact, the latest research shows that the life expectancy of those living with HIV today, if on proper treatment, is now almost on par with the general population.

We’ve come a long way since losing all those beautiful souls back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, and we have long-term survivors to thank for persevering through it. I have seen this virus go from a death sentence, to being a treatable, chronic condition, which gives me great hope we will see its elimination in my lifetime. Q Desireé Guerrero is the associate editor of Plus magazine.

This column is a project of Plus, Positively Aware, POZ, The Body, Q Syndicate, and QSaltLake.

A&E | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 47

JULY 2017 | ISSUE 269 | Qsaltlake.com

gay writes

Not strong enough

BY ALONZO DOUGLASS

On my 24th

birthday, I sat with family and friends to open gifts. When I got to the gift from my older sister, I ran my fingers across the wrapping paper and could tell it was a five-by-seven picture frame. I ripped the paper off and found a copy of a picture of me when I was two or three years old. My sister thought her gift was cute and it’d make me smile. Instead, I wanted to walk over to her and slap her face. Throughout my life, my sister liked to show that picture and about three others like it to remind me and to tell others who I was. She always laughed. I always felt a humiliation that burned like fire.

In the picture, I’m wearing one of my sister’s play dresses. I know exactly where it came from. On one of the shelves in the utility room, my mom kept a box of play dresses and a handful of her old dresses and high heels for my sister and her friends to play dress-up. Why didn’t my sister keep the box in her room? Because she was a tomboy and she hated dresses.

So, her fem brother got to use her play dresses and high heels anytime he liked.

My first memories of what I thought about myself are tied to the four pictures of me wearing dresses and heels. Then my sister seared those thoughts into my brain by teasing and humiliating me. For sure, it’s easier for a butch girl to go after a fem boy. I wanted to be exactly like my mom. Because she took care of the house and tended children, I wanted to take care of the house and tend children. Because she cooked and sewed, I wanted to cook and sew.

Because she wore dresses and high heels, I wanted to wear dresses and high heels. I believed I was going to marry a man, have children, and be a stayat-home mom. From my earliest years of consciousness, I was without a doubt transgender.

The last time I dreamed about being a girl, I was in seventh grade and I had a new best friend. When I got bored, I liked to daydream about my friend and me dressing like girls, going to the mall, walking around for several hours, and

talking to people. When we left, we were elated. That’s because no one ever guessed we were boys.

What made me stop the dream? My sister played a role, but she wasn’t the only one. I couldn’t hide who I was. Aunts, uncles, cousins and neighbors showed me they knew me.

They showed me by whispering to each other, chuckling and smiling. I was a bright child. I knew they were whispering and chuckling and smiling

about me.

As a child, I couldn’t pull the real me out of me, but I knew I had to hide her. Sometimes I got caught. When that happened, I made a new resolution to hide her better. At home, I wasn’t strong enough to handle the embarrassment and shame. At school or on the streets,

I wasn’t strong enough to handle the laughter and name-calling. Because I was weak, I forced myself to man up. I started that journey when my best friend’s mom told him she didn’t want him to play with me — really to be with me, ever. That killed a piece of me, and it ended the last dream I had of dressing and acting like a girl.

Years later, I saw the real me one more time. The day was November 15, 2008, and I stood in the crowd at Washington Square in Salt Lake to protest the passage of Prop 8 in California. This was the first time I participated in an event with my LGBT brothers and sisters. I loved watching the women who loved women and the men who loved men show their love openly in a public place.

I loved watching the other people in their lives—parents, brothers and sisters, children, and friends—stand with them and show their support for them. Then a group of magnificently dressed women walked from one end of the square to the other. When I saw them, I knew them, but I didn’t know them.

I knew them because they were the first me. I didn’t know them because I’d excised the first me decades earlier.

Seeing my sisters gave me an instant reaction: They scared me.

The fear I felt was centered in my weakness. I couldn’t endure ridicule and humiliation. I had to have the love of my family. I wanted the respect of my neighbors and friends. The fact of the matter is I wasn’t strong enough to be transgender.

Only the strongest people can be entirely true to themselves. Q

48 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | COMICS

Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 269 | JULY 2017

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: FESTIVAL

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JULY 2017 | ISSUE 269 | Qsaltlake.com

COMICS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 49

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50 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | ADVICE

Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 269 | JULY 2017

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“Transitioning Together: One Couple’s Journey of Gender and Identity Discovery”

BY WENN & BEATRICE LAWSON C.2017, JESSICA KINGSLEY PUBL. $19.95 / 214 PAGES

Your hair is grayer than it was back then.

You’ve both packed on pounds here and there, too.

A few wrinkles surround your smiles, but that’s okay — you’re not fresh-faced kids anymore. You’ve aged, you’ve softened and, in the new book “Transitioning Together” by Wenn & Beatrice Lawson, you’ve changed quite a bit.

Long before they met, Wendy and Beatrice had a lot in common: both came from families of similar sizes. Both had fathers that “didn’t have a head for figures” and mothers who ran the family businesses.

Wendy and Beatrice are both on the autism spectrum. The main difference: Wendy was a married woman.

They met one afternoon when Wendy, her husband, and their four children were living in the home of a “well-to-do” family that had just hired an au pair. The shy young woman didn’t speak English and Wendy didn’t speak Swiss German, but when Wendy was asked to help the girl settle in, Beatrice proved to be a quick study.

She easily learned a new language and she and Wendy forged a close friendship.

Both seemed only a little surprised when that friendship turned into love.

Wendy, who’d had health issues most of her life, never considered falling in love with another woman, but it felt right. Beatrice had an inkling that she was a lesbian but she shunned the word, afraid that it would “be an embarrassment” to her family. Even so, she settled into a relationship which was tender and fragile from the start.

Wendy and her family moved from England to

Australia as her abusive marriage was crumbling.

Beatrice was unable to make the move with her beloved, due to Australia’s immigration laws. They ultimately figured out a way to be together physically; once Wendy’s divorce was final, they knew they’d be together legally as well.

But even after their wedding, Wendy wasn’t happy.

Never comfortable in her body, she felt sure that something was missing, so she sought her “tribe” before understanding that she needed to transition to become the man he’d always known he was.

And that was something Beatrice wasn’t sure she could handle…

From its beginning, “Transitioning Together” is a tough read.

There’s a lot of preliminary to wade through to get to the start of the actual story here, and then there’s a lot of confusing set-up that identifies authors Wenn and Beatrice Lawson by their relative ages, rather than by name. While it’s helpful, later, to have a change in font to delineate who is weighing in, you might continue to be baffled by the semi-linear nature of what is mostly Mr. Lawson’s version.

Yes, tenacious readers who can bear with this dual memoir will get a double-edged peek at the emotional process of transitioning for both partners, through the added, unique perspectives of autism and age.

That’s worth the patience — if you have it.

Indeed, this book could be more for professionals than for anyone else; general audiences may enjoy “Transitioning Together,” but only by a hair. Q

ADVICE | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 51

JULY 2017 | ISSUE 269 | Qsaltlake.com

mr. manners

How have you changed?

BY ROCK MAGEN

I recently

read an article where the author boldly declared, “To be a gay man is to be a Chameleon.” He goes on in the article to describe that he was born as what many assumed to be a “heterosexual” boy, but his genetic code would later tell a different tale. He, like millions of other gay men, would enter the world under the umbrella of assumption. This got me thinking. When have I shared this self-proclaimed “umbrella of assumption.”

Did it begin in my grade school years? I am sad to say that I was among the throng of adolescent gay men who fell victim to the merciless teenage bullies who seem to sniff out gay men like a well-seasoned hunting dog.

One person in particular gave me absolute hell, and for the longest time I struggled to love myself. While this is not something I look back upon with a fond regard, in time I was able to understand how

this changed me and how I could use these experiences.

Like many members of the LGBT community, I share the traits of being fearless and unrelenting. While I can trace these traits back to my grade school years as coping mechanisms, I was eventually able to develop these into positive traits. This didn’t happen overnight, but these experiences changed me. They seasoned me and made me the person who I am today.

We all have our stories. The article I mentioned earlier continues in the analogy of gay men to chameleons, “To be a gay man is to be a chameleon ... and for everything I’ve gained, I wouldn’t change a thing.” It has taken me years to get to the place I am today. I have struggled, forged friendships, fought for a cause, and learned how to stand uniquely on my own. It wasn’t easy, but I’m grateful for how I have changed. Now the question is turned to each of you, “how have you changed?” Q

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bestfriendsutah.org bestfriendsutah.org *Applies months and older *Appliestotopets petsfour 4 months and older

q scopes JULY

BY SAM KELLEY-MILLS

ARIES March 20–April 19

There is not much activity going on and boredom has a way of creating false problems to worry about.

Avoid creating conflict with others and keep perceptions in check. Not everyone is out to get you, so take a moment to enjoy the lack of drama. Alone time works when imagination is used.

TAURUS Apr 20–May 20 Someone you work with is feeling down. Do something to help perk them up. Your capacity to satisfy is abundant. Be cautious of providing too much help to someone you don’t like much. They may develop excessive expectations. It helps to be good at what you do, but don’t compromise.

GEMINI May 21–June 20 How you react to an intense person can have a long lasting effect. Don’t fear taking action but be careful. A fight may cause pain and pain can spread. A personal matter should keep it close to home. There is confusion

regarding a family matter. By sorting things out, gratitude will come.

CANCER June 21–July 22 It is a happy time. Temperatures rise and so do you. Don’t let others rain on your parade. It might become necessary to put someone in check, so stay calm and do so. An important person will ask for some help regarding an issue that makes you uneasy.

Smile, nod, but move them right along.

LEO July 23–August 22 An abundance of opportunity can open doors but remember to prove your worth. There is always someone to compete with. Balance modesty and pride to look your best. Cheer and satisfaction can come in the form of non-verbal communication, leading to some very pleasing associations.

VIRGO August 23–Sep. 22 Priorities are good to have, don’t allow them to trap you in a method that isn’t working. Adapt and do what the moment requires. A relationship is in trouble. Take time to simply enjoy this person, and make them enjoy you too!

If fun is not the main focus, there is not

much point in continuing.

way up the hill.

LIBRA Sept 23–October 22 It is possible to fall and get up, but the pain of doing so should be avoided. There seems to be some confusion over what is really important. Step back from a situation and revisit when the dust has settled. Personal matters suck, but sucking can become amazing if you try hard enough.

CAPRICORN Dec 21–Jan 19 There is never a perfect situation, no matter how amazing a change may seem at the time.

Don’t be quick to go back to an old way of doing something. There is always a reason for your actions, even if you don’t understand the choice at the time. It can take time for things to feel right.

SCORPIO Oct. 23–Nov. 21 What makes sense to you baffles someone else. Don’t let this discrepancy become an issue. Agree to disagree. Much can be learned from alternate perspectives. Get behind this person and see life from their point of view. But don’t spend too much time back there. You risk losing yourself.

AQUARIUS Jan. 20–Feb. 18 Romantic feelings could develop with a co-worker or casual friend. Not much has changed, but a little change in the heart can create a big difference. Put faith in feelings and don’t fear exploring a new outlook. Life is about change, even when the routines seem to be the same.

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22–December 20.

A vital task feels like pushing a hard rock up hill. Break up a burden and tackle it a little bit at a time. Consider whether it is worth the effort. Examine a clear goal and make changes. The heart may break but it is better to get priorities figured out now and not half

PISCES Feb 19–Mar 19 It could be hard learning skills needed to overcome a problem. Don’t fear asking for help from a buddy. Learn new ways to accomplish goals. A financial situation takes a toll.

Spend wisely during this time. Luckily, your wish list is on the light side, so hold off on big purchases until later. Q

JULY 2017 | ISSUE 269 | Qsaltlake.com

Pet of the Month

Off-Leash Dog Parks

NEWS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 55

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56 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | QMMUNITY

Qmmunity Groups ALCOHOL & DRUG

Alcoholics Anonymous 801-484-7871  utahaa.org Gay and Lesbianspecific meetings: Sundays 3p Acceptance Group, UPC, 255 E 400 S Mondays 7p Gay Men’s Stag (Big Book Study), UPC, 255 E 400 S 8p G/Q Women’s Mtg, Disability Law Center (rear), 205 N 400 W Tuesday 8:15p Live & Let Live, UPC, 255 E 400 S Wednesday 7p Sober Today, 375 Harrison Blvd, Ogden Friday 8p Stonewall Group, UPC, 255 E 400 S Crystal Meth Anon crystalmeth.org Thursday 1:30p Unity In Sobriety, UPC, 255 E 400 S BUSINESS

LGBTQ-Affirmative Psycho-therapists Guild of Utah  lgbtqtherapists.com * jim@lgbtqtherapists.com

Utah Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce  utahgaychamber.com * info@utahgaychamber.com Vest Pocket Business Coalition  vestpocket.org 801-596-8977 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233 YWCA of Salt Lake  ywca.org/saltlakecity 322 E 300 S 801-537-8600 HEALTH & HIV

Northern Utah HIV/ AIDS Project Walk-Ins Tues Noon–5pm 536 24th St, Ste 2B, Ogden 801-393-4153 Peer Support for Mental Illness — PSMI Fridays, 6pm at Utah Pride Ctr, 255 E 400 S Planned Parenthood 654 S 900 E 800-230-PLAN Salt Lake County Health Dept HIV/STD Clinic 660 S 200 E, 4th Floor Walk-ins M–F 10a–4p Appts 385-468-4242 Utah AIDS Foundation  utahaids.org * mail@utahaids.org 1408 S 1100 E 801-487-2323

Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 269 | JULY 2017

HOMELESS SVCS

Volunteers of America Homeless Youth Resource Ctr, ages 15–21 880 S 400 W 801-364-0744 Young Men’s Transition Home 801-433-1713 Young Women’s 801-359-5545 LEGAL

Rainbow Law Free Clinic 2nd Thurs 6–7:30pm Utah Pride Center. 255 East and 400 South in Salt Lake City.

POLITICAL

Equality Utah  equalityutah.org * info@equalityutah.org 175 W 200 S, Ste 1004 801-355-3479 Utah Libertarian Party 6885 S State St #200 888-957-8824 Utah Log Cabin Republicans  bit.ly/logcabinutah 801-657-9611 Utah Stonewall Democrats  utahstonewalldemocrats.org RELIGIOUS

First Baptist Church  firstbaptist-slc.org * office@firstbaptistslc.org 11a Sundays 777 S 1300 E

801-582-4921 Sacred Light of Christ  slcchurch.org 823 S 600 E 801-595-0052 11a Sundays Wasatch Metropolitan Community Church  wasatchmcc.org 801-889-8764 Sundays, 11a at UPC

Sage Utah  fb.me/sageutah  sageutah@ utahpridecenter.org 801-557-9203 Temple Squares Square Dance Club  templesquares.org Weekly dances every other Thurs 7p at UPC 801-449-1293 Utah Bears  utahbears.com  fb.me/ utahbears  info@utahbears.com Weds 6pm Raw Bean Coffee, 611 W Temple Utah Male Naturists  umen.org  info@umen.org Utah Pride Center  utahpridecenter.org  thecenter@ utahpridecenter.org 255 E 400 S 801-539-8800

SOCIAL

1 to 5 Club (bisexual)  fb.me/ 1to5ClubUtah Alternative Garden Club  bit.ly/altgarden * altgardenclub@gmail.com blackBOARD Men’s Kink/Sex/BDSM education, 1st, 3rd Mondays  blackbootsslc.org blackBOOTS Kink/BDSM Men’s leather/kink/ fetish/BDSM meets 4th Saturdays  blackbootsslc.org Gay Writes writing group, DiverseCity 6:30 pm Mondays Community Writing Ctr, 210 E 400 S Ste 8 Get Outside Utah  bit.ly/GetOutsideUtah Men Who Move  menwhomove.org OUTreach Utah  outreachutah.org Ogden, 3350 Harrison, 2nd, 4th Weds, 4-6pm Logan, 596 E 900 N — Fri, 4:30-7:30pm qVinum Wine Tasting  qvinum.com Rainbow Classic Car Don R. Austin 801-485-9225

SPORTS

Lambda Hiking Club  gayhike.org Pride Community Softball League  prideleague.com  pcsl@prideleague.com Q Kickball League  qkickball.com Sundays, 10:30, 11:30, Sunnyside Park QUAC — Queer Utah Aquatic Club  quacquac.org  questions@ quacquac.org Salt Lake Goodtime Bowling League  bit.ly/slgoodtime Stonewall Shooting Sports of Utah  fb.me/stonewall.

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

sportsofutah Venture Out Utah  fb.me/groups/ Venture.OUT.Utah YOUTH/COLLEGE

Gay-Straight Alliance Network  gsanetwork.org Salt Lake Community College Equality Involvement Club 8 facebook.com/slcc. equality University of Utah LGBT Resource Center 8 lgbt.utah.edu 200 S Central Campus Dr Rm 409 801-587-7973 Univ. of Utah Queer Student Union utahqsu@gmail.com USGA at BYU  byuusga.wordpress.com  fb.co/UsgaAtByu Utah State Univ. Access & Diversity Ctr  usu.edu/ accesscenter/lgbtqa Utah Valley Univ Spectrum  discord.me/ spectrumatuvu  facebook.com/ groups/uvuspectrum Weber State Univ Faculty/Staff GayStraight Alliance  organizations.weber. edu/fsgsa  fsgsa@weber.edu Weber State University LGBT Resource Center  weber.edu/ lgbtresourcecenter 3885 W Campus Dr, Student Services Ctr, Suite 154 Dept. 2125 801-626-7271

CRYPTOGRAM: IF WE TOOK THE ENERGY AND VITRIOL WE RESERVED TO POUNCE ON ONE FLAG VARIATION IN ONE CITY AND TURNED IT ON THOSE WHO

ANAGRAM: DAMN THESE HEELS SEEK TO DESTROY OUR RIGHTS, WE’D BE RUNNING THE WORLD TOMORROW AND WE’D ALL HAVE GORGEOUS NEW HAIRSTYLES TO BOOT.

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East. Bingo starts at 7 p.m. and food will be available for sale.

9 7 8 6 3 2 4 5 1

July Third Friday Bingo at the First Baptist Church, 777 S 1300

4 1 5 8 7 9 6 2 3

Mayhem will be supporting bilingual radio in Utah with its

2 3 6 5 1 4 7 9 8

Third Friday Bingo Supports Bilingual Radio in Utah The Matrons of

QMMUNITY | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 57

JULY 2017 | ISSUE 269 | Qsaltlake.com

WE’VE GOT EVERYONE’S BACK

Alternative Garden Club joins the Urban Garden and Farm Tour The Alternative Garden Club will join with Wasatch Community Gardens, which will be holding its Urban Garden Tour (formerly known as Tour de Coops) on Saturday, June 24. This is a self-guided tour featuring properties in Salt Lake City where chickens and edible produce are being raised.

“It’s really fascinating to see what people are able to grow right here in the city,” said AGC’s Geoff Partain. “While

some of the gardens are beautifully kept, and others are more ‘natural,’ we always have a fun time looking at them.”

The group will be meeting for breakfast at the home of some members and then carpooling from there.

The event is free for club members, but an RSVP is required to get the address of the breakfast and a ticket to the event.

RSVP to altgardenclub@ gmail.com

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58 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | HOLLYWOOD

Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 269 | JULY 2017

deep inside hollywood

BY ROMEO SAN VICENTE

Joel Edgerton takes on ex-gay conversion in ‘Boy Erased’ Now that we’ve got a vice president who thinks so-called “gay conversion” therapy is a valuable form of torture for LGBT young people, the need to take it down in popular culture is more urgent than ever.

Boy Erased, the 2016 memoir

by Garrard Conley about his time in a fundamentalist Christian camp as a young person, is getting a big push in the direction of that national conversation: Joel Edgerton is going to direct and write the film version. Based on Conley’s time in “Love in Action,” a faith-based program meant to “cure” young people of their homosexuality, the story will reach the screen starring Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea) as the tormented and, ultimately, tortured son of an Arkansas minister, with Edgerton playing the leader of the program that tries to turn the young man straight. Edgerton is also in talks with Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman to play the boy’s parents. If production goes smoothly, it will probably mean a late 2018 theatrical bow, because

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it already has the meaningful subject matter movie studios love to bring out at awards time. More details on this one as they develop.

to be satisfied unless we get baby Chastity and grown-up Chaz in there, too. This cannot happen soon enough.

Cher if you agree

Alexander ‘McQueen’ documentary delves into designer’s short life

Cher: The Musical. That’s right.

It’s called Cher: The Musical.

It features her songs, and it’s coming to Broadway in 2018.

Give yourself a moment to stop squealing and let that sink in. The woman is getting her own Mamma Mia! and, unlike ABBA, who had to sit back and let their show be about people who are not in ABBA and, presumably, had never even heard of the existence of ABBA, this one will do its subject justice and is all about Cher’s entire life from babyhood to “Believe.” There’s been a readthrough, and the creative team includes Jeffrey Seller (Hamilton) and Flody Suarez (Rise) as producers, Jason Moore (Avenue Q) directing, and Rick Elice (Jersey Boys) writing the book.

Meanwhile, most importantly, the casting calls for three stages of Cher — “Babe,” “Lady” and “Star” — with supporting characters Sonny Bono, Gregg Allman, Bob Mackie, David Geffen, Robert Altman, Rob Camilletti and Sigmund Freud.

And if you ask us — and someone should — we’re not going

Sometimes they come in twos. Filmmaker Andrew Haigh (Weekend, 45 Years) is at work on a narrative biopic about the sharp rise to fame and abrupt end of the life of acclaimed fashion designer Alexander McQueen (he committed suicide at age 40). And now a competing documentary feature is in the works, as well. McQueen, the working title of Ian Bonhote’s film about McQueen’s career, will take on the tough task of making sense of the creative genius’s tragic demise. The London designer began his career as a teenager before becoming a designer for Givenchy, and was known for his sensation-making, media-courting work, eventually beginning his own fashion house, one that continues even after his death. Bonhote’s film appears to be taking the usual documentary form, with the promise of plenty of access to archival footage, photographs and audio, as

HOLLYWOOD | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 59

JULY 2017 | ISSUE 269 | Qsaltlake.com

August 5th well as dramatic recreations and interviews with people involved in McQueen’s work and life. Bleecker Street has already purchased the North American distribution rights, so now it’s a matter of what makes it into theaters first, the doc or the drama.

Are you ready for a gay male ‘Golden Girls‘?

Sometimes subtext, given enough time, turns to text.

And that’s why it’s possible that the classic ’80s sitcom, Golden Girls, a show that has always been considered an analog for aging gay men and counts gay men as the bulk of its ongoing fan base, could find itself rebooted. Sort of.

It turns out that writers Stan Zimmerman and James Berg, who wrote for Golden Girls, Roseanne and Gilmore Girls, as

well as the 1996 film A Very Brady Sequel, saw an acclaimed documentary about LGBT senior citizens called Before You Know It. The experience prompted them to collaborate on a new sitcom pilot, called Silver Foxes. There’s already been a table read with George Takei, Leslie Jordan, Bruce Vilanch, and SNL alum Cheri Oteri. And… well, that’s all for the moment. But they want to take it all the way. And they should. Queer baby boomers are already hitting retirement age. The Gen X-ers are little more than a decade away from it themselves. These people are going to need entertainment. And given the slow process of making a TV show reality, it might take that long.

We’ll be waiting. Q Romeo San Vicente is ageless, yet happily answers to “Daddy.”

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60 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | FRIVOLIST

Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 269 | JULY 2017

the frivolist LET ME COUNT THE WAYS:

7

REASONS I LOVE YOU, NICO TORTORELLA

BY MIKEY ROX

Dear Nico

Tortorella: I’m gonna use your full name, OK? We’re not on a first-name basis, but I hope that’ll change soon. In a good way, Nico Tortorella — not the “stay 1,000 feet away from each other” way.

Cuz you’re pretty much the bee’s knees in my book, and here are seven reasons why.

understand each other’s 1.if youWe adolescent plight — even don’t know it yet I read a recent interview where you talked about growing up in a family where only one sexual orientation was recognized. Samesies. I hadn’t even met another gay person until I was 17 years old, working at the local mall, and

any reference to a gay person around my house was “faggot this” and “queer that.” Legit — I actually thought I was a hermaphrodite until I was 14 years old because I had no idea why I felt the way I did inside. I was supposed to like girls, but why did I have feelings for guys? I got through it — with enough drugs, alcohol and sporadic therapy to make El Chapo jelly — but I’m mostly good now. But I’ll be much better in your sculpted arms, Nico Tortorella.

You’re like a fuzzy little 2. water mammal — in the sexiest way possible

interview on GaySaltLake.com, “I use the word bisexual because people have fought for so long for this word and the fact that it even exists in part of the LGBTI-etcetera is just a beautiful thing, and I’m not gonna be the person to take, like, fluidity or emotional fluidity or pansexual. I’m comfortable somewhere under the bisexual label, and I’m proud of it.”

Cards on the table — I’m not bisexual, Nico Tortorella. I’m just an ordinary homosexual who will be perfectly satisfied with the 50 percent of you that you’ll let me have. And touch. There will be touching, right?

has me all 4. Your—Instagram but in real life

Uuuuum. I have no words for these pics.

I’m just gonna sit quietly in that corner over here and calm down.

got nothin’ but 5. You’ve love for your exes

I don’t like labels, especially when it comes to the kind of queers we are, but boy if you aren’t an otter. Like the very definition of an otter. You couldn’t be anymore otter-ish if you tried, Nico Tortorella. But you should try anyway. With your shirt off.

It was the sweetest thing, Nico Tortorella, when you had your hair stylist ex Kyle Krieger on your podcast, The Love Bomb,

bisexual — and 3. You’re never afraid to discuss it

In a world where even the Ls and Gs roll their eyes whenever someone admits that they’re the B in LGBT, it’s refreshing that you’re so candid about it.

“I really like the term bisexual, and I fall somewhere under the umbrella that is bisexuality,” you said in a recent

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FRIVOLIST | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 61

JULY 2017 | ISSUE 269 | Qsaltlake.com

Power to you for making it work, though.

I’ll let you know if I’m single again because I’m, like, really awesome at being the third wheel.

promised to get naked for 7. You us — and I’m waaaaaaiting

to chat about your relationship and your breakup and how you both got through it and still remain friends. I had the government delete all my exes’ identities from the universe, so it’s nice to know I won’t have to do that with you. Super excited about you being my second ex-husband, by the way.

into open relationships 6. You’re — and that gives me hope

I’m in an amazing relationship right now, one that I will not open. I’ve done that in the past and it ended in complete disaster.

GAY WRITES

A DiverseCity Series writing group A program of Salt Lake Community College’s Community Writing Ctr. The group meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month, 6:30-8 pm, Salt Lake City Library Square, 210 E. 400 South, Ste. 8, Salt Lake.

Actually, I’m tired of waiting. Stop being selfish and send me your nudes already, Nico Tortorella. Geez.

Catch my new boyfriend (or court-ordered long-distance lover) Nico Tortorella in Season 4 of Younger on TV Land, premiering June 28. Q

Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. He spends his time with his dog Jaxon. Connect with Mikey on Twitter @mikeyrox.

62 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | FINAL WORD

Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 269 | JULY 2017

the perils of petunia pap smear

A tale of D.W.I.

BY PETUNIA PAP SMEAR

The road

to the Pride Parade is fraught with danger and excitement.

Sometimes even the simple things in life can be a challenge.

I had a very good time on Pride Day this year. In fact, I had the best Pride Day in years. The rest of the Matrons of Mayhem and I were hanging about in the shade of Washington Square posing for photographs with passersby. I make it a point to try to pose with as many nearly naked boys as possible.

This year, as we noticed prime pieces of beef walking along, we would send Sparkles Del Tassel to fetch them and drag them over for a photo op.

Of course, when we are posing with these perfect specimens of manhood, some buns might get squeezed. I usually ask permission from the hunk’s girlfriend, and she always gives an enthusiastic “yes,” despite protest from the stud. Someone who was behind us said the scene from behind, of the fondling of bums was much more entertaining than the view from the front. Another reason my Pride Day was so pleasant was in part because I now live in Salt Lake City, so the logistics of attending Pride are much less complicated than

when I was living in Logan and Kaysville.

Four years ago, when I lived in Kaysville, I was preparing for the celebrations. First of all, the night before, I went to the driveway and turned QueerTanic, my 1975 Buick Electra land yacht, around so that it was facing the street for an easy and quick getaway.

Getting in the car was my first obstacle. The logistics of fitting my size 75 — quadruple G — electrical breasticles and a beehive hairdo that would give any Texan with a 10-gallon hat a size complex in a regular car is quite complicated.

To begin with, I don’t even try to drive while wearing my beehive hair. It just won’t fit.

So I carry it in a five-gallon pickle bucket. You will notice that when I drive I have on the seat beside me, my purse and a pickle bucket. I put the seat as far back as it would go to fit the breasticles. My fingertips barely reach the steering wheel and my feet barely reach the gas and brake pedals.

As I got in the car, I immediately shut my crinoline petticoats in the door. It took five minutes and four tries before I succeeded. I couldn’t see the key, so I started the engine by braille. Of course, I need

to turn on the A/C full bore because of the intense heat generated inside the brassiere.

It was time to hit the road.

I pulled out onto the street and into the blazing sunlit morning. My dress was covered in bright shiny sequins and the reflecting glare in the mirror momentarily blinded me.

As I drove down I-15 and passed other cars, the drivers would notice the bright colors or the reflecting sequins and would stare. I’d speed up and they would match my speed.

So I would slow down and they would slow down too.

Sometimes it can become quite a little parade of its own.

Nighttime driving is even worse. Sometimes, after Third Friday Bingo is over, I would go to Club Try-Angles for a while before calling it a night.

Once again, I remove the beehive hair and place it in the bucket and stuff the crinoline inside the car door. The battery pack for the lighted breasticles usually is not reachable without totally disrobing, so I drive with the lights blinking.

One time a friend was driving in front of me and saw the reflection of the breasticle lights in his rear view mirror, and he said he that he was being pulled over by the police. On another occasion, they attracted the attention of a very loud low rider filled with Hispanic men. They pulled up to the side of my car, pointed and cat called. I could hear the deep thump-thump

of their stereo. I was a little worried. I slowed down and they also slowed. I sped up and they sped up. Okay, I was frightened.

Then I stopped at the light on State Street and they pulled up next to me. I even felt the thump-thump of the music. Oh crap! I pressed the electric door locks. I sat staring ahead, not wanting to acknowledge their attention. They rolled down their windows and yelled over the thump-thumping. Oh gawd, I’m in big trouble! Then I heard, “Where’s the party? We wanna come to the party!” I rolled down my window and told them the party was over and I was heading home. Then I sped off, so that they couldn’t follow me.

My nightmare is that I would be pulled over by the police and ticketed for “Driving While Illuminated.” Because of this fear, I have begun draping a blanket over the breasticles to cover the lights when driving at night.

This story leaves us with several important questions: 1. Is carrying a wig in a bucket how Hyacinth Bucket got her name?

2. Can people near me still smell the pickles?

3. Can I forgo ironing my skirts since they will get pressed in the car door anyway?

4. Should I begin marketing a line of breasticle piñatas?

These and other eternal questions shall be answered in future chapters of the Perils of Petunia Pap Smear. Q

JULY 2017 | ISSUE 269 | Qsaltlake.com

NEWS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 63

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