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Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 272 | OCTOBER 2017
Standing together to end bullying. GLSEN Eliza Byard, Executive Director Jared Fox, Former Chapter Leader
Standing together makes a difference in the LGBT community. That’s why we’re committed to supporting national and local organizations — contributing over $50 million in the past 30 years. Standing proudly with our LGBT friends and allies is another way we’re Building better every day. Visit wellsfargo.com/standingtogether to watch our video series highlighting the positive impact that GLSEN and other organizations are making in the LGBT community.
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ERIN MENDENHALL Salt Lake City Council District 5
CHRIS WHARTON
Salt Lake City Council District 3
SOPHIA HAWES-TINGEY Mayor of Midvale City
Equality Utah PAC Endorses
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Make a Seamless First Impression
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news The top national and world news you should know from last month Sigh! Alabama, again Dueling petitions have appeared at an Alabama high school over a teacher’s decision to display the Pride flag in her classroom. One petition says having the rainbow flag around makes the LGBTQ haters feel uncomfortable, so it should go. The opposing petition reads in part, “The flag creates a hostile and provocative learning environment for students not comfortable openly supporting the LGBTQ Community.” Another group of students created a counter petition, which argues the high school is a “diverse and equitable school ... attempting to insulate a student from political discourse would be an insult to their intelligence.”
WH guidance on trans in the military The White House will give the Pentagon six months to develop regulations on transgender servicemen and women in the military. The ACLU has filed an injunction to stop the order while cases move through the court system. The guidelines give confirmed bachelor, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, the power to remove transgender individuals serving in the military for reasons of deploy-ability, war zones service and participation in training. The Penta-
gon can cease paying related medical bills for transgender men and women and to deny enlistment. Senator Tammy Duckworth of Wisconsin, a decorated veteran who was injured in Iraq resulting in the loss of both legs, tweeted: “I didn’t care if the American troops risking their lives to help save me were gay, straight, transgender, black, white or brown.”
Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers on professional sports players coming out Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers said players still fear the consequences of coming out while active players. He told OutSports.com, “Society is finally moving in the right direction, as far as treating all people with respect. And in the locker room, I think the sport is getting closer.” But closeted players still worry about reaction from teammates and executives, pointing to the absence of guaranteed contracts. Rodgers is not a new SJW. In 2016, he blasted homophobic fan chants at games. In 2013 he denied some personal rumors, “I’m not gay. I really, really like women.” One “really” too many?
Illinois, 2nd state to ban “gay panic” defense Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner signed a bill banning gay and trans “panic defense” in murder cases, making Illinois the second state to do so after (not Utah or Wyoming) California. The law prevents claiming the murder victim was gay, bisexual or transgender and made a sexual advance that caused a violence. The American Bar Association has come out against the gay and trans panic defense, and urged local, state and federal governments to pass legislation banning it.
Discrimination is okay with BART? The San Francisco Bay Area Transit Authority Board of Directors is considering giving preference to LGBTQ contractors in an update to the agency’s Small Business Program. If passed, LGBTQ contractors receive a 5 percent bid preference on small-business prime contracts. To qualify, contractors must be certified as a small business by California’s Department of General Services, as well as be certified by either the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce or the California Public Utilities Commission.
De-transitioning Down Under A 12-year-old Australian schoolboy, taking estrogen hormones for two years after doctors diagnosed “gender dysphoria,” has decided to stop the hormone therapy. He reports to Aussie TV he rejected his masculine body at first, but now, “Hated looking in the mirror. I didn’t know who the person staring back at me was.” He was not worried about telling his mother he had made a mistake and wanted to stay a male because, “She’d been so open and supportive of me in my transition,” he said.
Sleepless in Seattle The mayor of Seattle, Ed Murray, resigned after several men came forward accusing Murray of sexually abusing them decades ago, when they were underage. The announcement came just hours after The Seattle Times published a story with an account by a fifth man, Murray’s cousin, charged Murray of abuse in the 1970s. Murray, 62, is the city’s first openly gay mayor, and gen-
erally considered a father of Washington’s same-sex marriage law, which he pressed in the State legislature for years.
A frizzy Colton Haynes A bio-pic called Bigger will portray the lives of bodybuilding pioneers Joe and Ben Weider, who launched the modern bodybuilding movement and brought Arnold Schwarzenegger to the world. Teen Wolf actor, Tyler Hoechlin, will play Joe and Austrian bodybuilder, Calum Von Moger, will play Arnold. Jack LaLanne will be played by Colton Haynes, currently appearing in American Horror Story. (Note: if you have any idea who Jack LaLanne is, you are over 40 years old with a propensity for wearing tight-fitting, short-sleeve, onepiece and stretchy workout clothes with stirrups).
Dutch Double (or triple) up on parenthood A Member of The Netherland’s Parliament, Liesbeth van Tongeren, is sponsoring legislation to make it possible for a child to be adopted by more than two parents. The MP says children are considered to have only two parents because parenthood is based on the notion of blood relationship. But nowadays children now grow up with two mothers and a father somewhere in there. MP Tongeren wants that to change; to her, it’s a question of equal rights for hetero- and homosexual couples; it’s about simplifying family life. “For lesbian parents, for example, the problems already start with small daily things such as the fact that only one mother can sign a permission slip for their child to go on a school excursion.” The problems go on to include taxes, insurance and inheritance.
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Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 272 | OCTOBER 2017
Utah attorney Edwin Wall presents a gay male couple’s case to the Utah Supreme Court
Utah male couple challenges state surrogacy law as discriminatory In what appears to be a first in the nation, Utah’s surrogacy law is being challenged by a male couple who were denied their request to use a surrogate mother to carry a baby for them. In his denial, 5th District Court (St. George, Utah) Judge Jeffery C. Wilcox, said that Utah state law only recognizes a prospective “mother.” Wilcox wrote in his decision that current surrogacy law requires couples to prove that the woman intending to be the child’s mother cannot have children without risking her health before resorting to surrogacy. As a result, he concluded, he could not approve the surrogacy agreement because neither of the prospective parents was female. Utah code reads that a court must validate a gestational agreement, and may only do so, in part, if “medical evidence shows that the intended mother is unable to bear a child or is unable to do so without unreasonable risk to her physical or mental health or to the unborn child.” The Utah State Supreme
Court heard arguments Sept. 12 from the couple’s attorney, Edwin Wall, who noted that the law, which has not been amended or updated since the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision legalizing marriage equality nationwide, violates both the due process and equal protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution, and the “uniform operation of law” clause in Utah’s Constitution. “As written, [the law] creates two classes of intended parents; one class for married same-sex male couples and another class for married couples where at least one of the intended parents is female,” Wall wrote in a brief submitted to the state Supreme Court prior to the hearing. The Utah Attorney General’s office is not challenging the couple’s right to enter into a surrogacy agreement, saying the law should be read as gender-neutral for purposes of implementation. In the hearing justices asked about jurisdictional issues, fearing that the court would be creating law rather than interpreting it. To at
least one justice, the fact the State wasn’t at the table arguing against the parents meant the court wasn’t resolving a dispute between two parties. Justices were also concerned over a strict interpretation of the law, with Justice John Pearce implying that the court might have to strike down the entire law as unconstitutional and urge the Utah legislature to rewrite it using language that is explicitly gender-neutral. Wall argued that the court could decide between two outcomes: Find the statute discriminatory, and therefore unconstitutional, or direct the lower courts to read the law as gender neutral, despite its references to a “mother,” as the Attorney General’s office declared. The court heard arguments for just under a half hour and did not immediately rule on the case. Should the judges do decide to declare the law unconstitutional, it could mark the first time any U.S. court has overruled a state’s surrogacy laws. The law would then
have to be rewritten in a way that does not exclude gay male couples who wish to become parents. While Utah lawmakers have had a more gentle approach to LGBTQ rights as some other state legislatures, there is no guarantee that they would approve any revision of the law. Utah case law has been mixed when dealing with same-sex parental rights. In 2015, a lesbian couple successfully sued the state when it refused to list both mothers as legal parents on the child’s birth certificate. But another lesbian couple saw their foster daughter removed from their care, with the judge in the case ruling that the child would fare better if she had heterosexual parents. That decision was later reversed after public outcry. Nationwide, surrogacy laws are a patchwork even for heterosexual couples, said Susan Sommer, Associate Legal Director and Director of Constitutional Litigation for national gay-rights group Lambda Legal. Five states ban surrogacy agreements altogether, according to surrogacy agency and law firm Creative Family Connections. Eleven states have what the group call inconsistent results, meaning once a child is born through a surrogate, getting a legal ruling to put the prospective parents on the child’s birth certificate is far from guaranteed. While gay couples across the country still face legal challenges on parenthood, the Utah case appears unique in barring a pregnancy before it begins, Sommer said. “Really, the situation is crying out for better, current up-to-date statues that reflect the reality that people are using gestational carriers,” she said. Q
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Utah Republicans, LDS Church support Colorado baker in suit It seems like Utah’s conservative leaders are all about states’ rights, unless it has to do with cakes and flowers for same-sex weddings. A group of Republican Utah state senators, U.S. Sen. Mike Lee and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have signed on to amicus briefs supporting a baker who refused to provide a cake for a same-sex couple’s wedding, in violation of Colorado’s public accommodations law.
Baker Jack Phillips
The law will be under scrutiny by the U.S. Supreme Court later this year in Masterpiece Cake Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, a lawsuit brought forth in 2012 by an engaged same-sex couple, Charlie Craig and Davis Mullins. The couple was denied service at a Denver bakery when baker Jack Phillips refused to make them a custom wedding cake because of his Christian beliefs. The case was heard by the Colorado Supreme Court which ruled that baking a cake was an expected business function and not an exercise of free speech or exercise of religion under the First Amendment. Currently the case is pending before the U.S. Supreme Court and will be heard in its 2017 term. An amicus brief in
support of the appellant by conservative representatives is making the rounds to U.S. senators and representatives; unsurprisingly Utah Senator Mike Lee signed the brief Thursday. Last month, Sen. Lee joined others in Congress asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the Washington state case of Ingersoll v. Arlene’s Flowers, in which a gay couple was refused service on the basis of free speech and religious beliefs. The outcome of the Colorado case and the fate of its public accommodations law will determine if the city of Cheyenne, Wyo., will propose an LGBT ordinance, still under review by the city attorney’s office, which would make it illegal to fire employees or refuse to provide housing or other services on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. “If the court rules in favor of the Colorado baker,” Cheyenne Councilman Richard Johnson told Wyoming Tribune Eagle, “then all nondiscrimination ordinances across the country could be invalid or need to be rewritten, and that worried council members who were on the fence to begin with.” Mayor Marian Orr added, “With the Supreme Court looking at this issue, now is not the time to act.” The amicus brief was written by Gene Schaerr, the attorney hired to represent Utah in its appeal of U.S. District Court Judge Robert Shelby’s ruling striking laws and the constitutional amendment that prohibited same-sex marriage in the state. Q
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Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 272 | OCTOBER 2017
Suicide upward trend continues in Utah The Utah Department of Health has confirmed that 425 suicides have occurred in the state so far in 2017, which is roughly on pace to meet or surpass last year’s one-year record of 638 suicide deaths. Health department epidemiologist Elizabeth Brutsch said Sept. 12 that there remains a lot their department doesn’t know about what’s driving the suicide rate higher in Utah and neighboring states New Mexico and Colorado, which are also among the top five states of suicides per capita. From 1999 to 2015, the Utah suicide rate per 100,000 people grew from 15.8 to 24.5, or by more than 50 percent. Meanwhile, the national suicide rate rose by 24 percent between 1999 and 2014, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
Big Gay Fun Bus returns this month It’s BIG, it’s GAY and it’s FUN … on a BUS to West Wendover, Nevada! If you’ve never been before, what are you waiting for? Drag queen bingo, a drag queen driver, prizes, songs, $7 in free play at the casino, a free buffet … and a bus full of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, allies and bewildered others. This year there are five runs, so hop aboard this one. Get tickets fast, because they sell out quickly! Season ticket buyers get all five trips for the price of four, PLUS, they get priority seating and a free second bingo card for each trip. The first bus is Oct. 21, leaving at noon from Club Try-Angles, 251 W 900 South. Tickets are $25 or season tickets: $100 for all 5 trips at biggayfunbus.com
Health, human services and education officials delivered the new data to media outlets as part of a wider state effort to battle the trend. Since suicide is the eighth-leading cause of death in Utah overall and the leading cause of death for those aged 10 to 17, health department spokeswoman Jenny Johnson said suicide-prevention programs need more funding in Utah. A coalition of experts are attacking the problem on several
fronts, Johnson said. Officials continue to push mental health first aid and suicide intervention training sessions, held around the state and designed to teach skills for talking to those who are suicidal. Johnson said another big focus has been raising awareness about the risks of firearms, encouraging friends and family to remove access to guns when someone is facing a mental health crisis. Utah has the fifth-highest suicide rate in the nation. All
the top states are largely rural and in the West; Wyoming has the highest rate at 28 suicides per 1,000 people, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Officials are paying close attention to teenage suicide numbers. The state Board of Education has hired an education specialist to work on suicide issues, and has recently introduced a smartphone application called SafeUT that connects youth to professional help. Q Suicide help can be found by calling the Trevor Project, (866) 488-7386.
John Williams’ husband sentenced in his death Calling it a “cruel and vicious crime” that took some planning, Third District Court Judge James Blanch sentenced the husband of Utah restaurateur and civic leader John Williams to life in prison for aggravated murder. Craig Crawford plead guilty, earlier, to murdering John Williams by setting fire to Williams’ home on an early morning in August, 2016. Williams was trapped on the upper floor with no escape. The house remains a burned out hull on Salt Lake City’s Capitol Hill. Crawford apologized for his crime, saying he knew he had taken “something wonderful” from the world. During three days of testimony, family members recounted the life, accomplishments, and many kindnesses of John Williams, one of the founders of the Gastronomy Restaurants, which includes the Oyster Bar, Market Street Grill and the New Yorker Club. The family described Williams’ dedication to Gastronomy customers and employees, recounting how he would help employees with personal problems with advice
and money. They said it wasn’t uncommon for him to pay an employee’s school expenses or utility bills. His joyful interactions with customers were a hallmark of his business demeanor, they said, and completely authentic. Williams was a benefactor to Utah civic life with contributions to business, arts and social groups. He was instrumental in founding the Utah Pride Center and Equality Utah — two of the state’s most prominent LGBT organizations — as well as countless other LGBT non-profits. He was a major patron and contributor to arts organizations, serving on the boards of the Utah Symphony and Opera. The National Trust Honor Award— the highest award from The National Trust for Historic Preservation — and the Utah Chapter of the American Institute of Architects’ Entrepreneur of the Year recognized him for his work in preservation. He was a prominent member of the business community with contributions and board memberships with the Salt Lake Area Chamber of
Commerce, founding member of the Downtown Alliance and Utah Restaurant Association among others. He was a major booster of Utah’s successful bid to host the 2002 Winter Olympics. His family testified to his personal kindnesses and his love of giving back to the community. They described his propensity for major and very surprising gift giving, exciting holiday and family parties and the many world travels he had with family members. “He had a contagious zest for life,” niece Laura Fosgren recalled. Brother David Williams told the judge, “[Crawford] has taken one of Salt Lake’s finest. He has taken from us a loving individual who did so much good for so many people.” Williams’ family urged Judge Blanch to keep Crawford behind bars for the rest of his life, while Crawford asked the judge to give him the chance for parole. The judge agreed with the family, sentencing Crawford to spend the rest of his life in prison without parole. Q
OCTOBER 2017 | ISSUE 272 | Qsaltlake.com
Hate crime law: The progression of Utah Republican Sen. Daniel Thatcher BY TONY HOBDAY
Utah Sen. Daniel Thatcher has been a Republican member of the Utah State Senate, representing District 12, since 2010. His early legacy was certainly apropos of Utah conservatism.
Utah State Sen. Daniel Thatcher
In 2012, Sen. Thatcher voted against a bill requiring an orientation for new state lawmakers to be trained on Utah’s statistical demographics, and cultural diversity and sensitivity. He and other legislators who nayed the bill were also the same legislators who voted against the statewide nondiscrimination bill. Then in 2014, the senator signed a brief, along with 79 other Republican members of the Utah State Legislature, filed with the U.S. Supreme Court asking them to hear Utah’s same-sex marriage case and to reverse Judge Robert Shelby’s decision that Amendment 3 was unconstitutional. In the brief, they said they “are sincerely dedicated to representing and protecting the interests of all Utah citizens.” “We especially feel a profound duty to the children of the State, derived from deep historical roots and experience that confirm that children are
substantially benefited and best served by public endorsement and recognition of marriage as the legal union between a man and a woman as husband and wife,” the brief read. “This promotes and protects a child’s bond with his or her biological parents bound together as a married mother and father. When this is not possible, the State definition of marriage maximizes the likelihood that a child will be raised by a married mother and father.” Within the last year or two, Sen. Thatcher has seemingly become a more progressive politician. Last year, his proposed legislation, Senate Bill 72 — a measure which would have delineated hate crimes as those perpetuated because of the victim’s perceived “ancestry, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, or sexual orientation” — was left untouched throughout the 2017 legislative session. The bill was never even debated in committee — the first debate a bill sees on its road to becoming a law. The setback hasn’t fazed the senator, however. On Sep. 13, he announced to the West Jordan City Council he’s bringing a bill in the 2018 legislative session that would give law enforcement better, stronger tools to address crimes targeting victims because of their sexual orientation, race, religion, nationality and disability. This came on the heels of the West Jordan City Council passing a landmark resolution urging the Utah Legislature to beef up laws against crimes that target people based on race, religion or sexual orientation. Q
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So. Utah man and estranged father offer support to homeless, struggling youth BY TONY HOBDAY
Randy Thomson’s story doesn’t begin really any differently than most young LGBTQ persons trying to come out of the closet unscathed. He suffered from anxiety, depression and low self esteem. Finally having made the decision to come out to his family, it went as well as suspected, the fears affirmed and he was forced to move out. “My dad didn’t want anything to do with me at that point,” Randy said. So, at 17-years old, Randy was at a loss at what to do next. It wasn’t until he stumbled upon the Utah Pride Center that his life started to change. “The Pride Center gave me that opportunity to make friends, not to have to worry about if they’re going to leave me because I’m gay,” he told The Spectrum. “They gave me a purpose and reason to be passionate about something.” The passion turned out to be politics. Randy eventually ended up in St. George and was the former Secretary of the Washington County Democratic Party. Last year, with the help of his father’s newly-sung tune, Thomson and son started Youth Advocates of Southern Utah, of which Randy is executive director. “I founded YASU alongside my father, Rob Thomson. We began work last year and as we talked with fellow community members, through my broad local network, we quickly grew with three others joining the board in February and March of this year, and then two more in May,” Randy said. “Currently, YASU has seven community board members. Each mem-
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ber brings unique experiences to YASU and to our mission. We focus on the individual youth, their needs, wants, hopes and dreams. One-quarter of our Board of Advocates (Board of Directors) has experienced youth homelessness themselves, so YASU’s philosophy, approach and programs are unique and individualized in such a way that really hasn’t been utilized here in Utah.” YASU also works closely with TEAMRAW, a youth outreach organization that aims to connect with homeless and at-risk teens on a personal level. TEAMRAW’s approach is giving young adults a passion: such as music, dance or art. Randy goes on to say there is a host of community support for a new Youth Drop-In Center & Resource Center that is in the planning stages. “This center will be an inclusive program, however we will have a number of LGBTQ+ specific resources, such as affirmative individual and group therapy, sexual education, etc.” he said. “We pride ourselves on being community grown and based.” “As with others within the LGBTQ community, I have a long story of discrimination, which still continues to this day,” Randy continued. “However, as my dad, Rob, and I can attest, if we turn this negativity, this harassment, abuse into something positive and enlightening for others, and our community, we can therefore do it for ourselves as well, and perhaps start to heal, and stop the cycle of abuse and discrimination within our community.” Q
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St. George Pride more visible, larger crowd The second St. George Pride Festival was held smack-dab in the middle of the city at Town Square. It was full of live music, food trucks and booths from local businesses. This was the first multi-day pride festival for the community, with a sold out drag show and community dance on Friday night and the festival itself on Saturday. Organizers were thrilled that the festival received no backlash this year and that many people turned out.
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Utah campuses miss the LGBTQ-friendly grade Campus Pride recently released its 2017 Best of the Best Top 25 LGBTQ-friendly Colleges and Universities, based on their overall ratings on the Campus Pride Index and specific LGBTQ-inclusive benchmark measures. The Campus Pride Index, currently 300+ campuses, is the national benchmarking tool which self-assesses LGBTQ-friendly policies, programs and practices. The tool is free of charge and can be found online at CampusPrideIndex.org. The top 25 include schools from 16 states including more conservative places like North Carolina, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Colorado, Wisconsin and Ohio. The top institutions received 5 out of 5 stars in the areas including — but not limited to — campus safety, policy inclusion, training and education, counseling and health, and recruitment and retention efforts. While Utah failed to make the list, there are only two universities included in the survey, according to the Campus Pride Index: University of Utah, rated 4.5 stars, and Utah State
University, rated 2 stars. According to the index, the UofU received its lowest score of 2.5 in the area of campus safety. Utah State received only 1 star for housing and residence life, recruitment and retention efforts, and campus safety. Dr. Genny Beemyn, coordinator of Campus Pride’s Trans Policy Clearinghouse, said: “It is especially important to see colleges from Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina among the top 25. If these colleges can become supportive oases in largely anti-LGBTQ states, then other institutions in very conservative states have no excuse not to do likewise.” Many campuses in cities like New York, Boston, and Los Angeles also participate annually in the Campus Pride LGBTQ-friendly College Fair Program. Learn more at CampusPride.org/CollegeFair. Campus Pride also launched two years ago, the Campus Pride Sports Index which measures LGBTQ progress in athletics and recreation online. Learn more at CampusPrideSportsIndex.org.
November General Election VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINES: Oct. 9 Last day to Mail-In your VOTER REGISTRATION Oct. 31 Last day to register to vote In-Person in the Election Division office or register to vote Online at vote.utah.gov.
VOTING Sep. 25 Candidate information and SAMPLE BALLOT available online. General Ballot Information Oct. 9–Nov. 2 VOTE-BY-MAIL Ballots will be sent to voters Oct. 15 Last day to apply for an OVERSEAS BALLOT Oct 24–Nov. 3 EARLY VOTING period for voters who choose to vote at a Vote Center prior to Election Day Nov. 6 LAST DAY TO MAIL in your VoteBy-Mail Ballot. All mailed in ballots must be postmarked before November 6th to be considered valid Nov. 7 GENERAL ELECTION Day. This is the last day to return your ballot to a ballot drop box or at a vote center by 8 pm Nov. 21 Board of Canvassers meeting. FINAL ELECTION RESULTS posted
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Q mmunity Royal Court Action, and We Do Mean Action The Annual Closet Ball, chaired by Vega Starr is Saturday September 23rd. “Closet Ball 2017: Transformations,” a pageant for the title of Closet Ball King and Closet Ball Queen, will start at 8pm At Club Jam, with a $7 requested donation. Anyone wishing to compete should contact princessroyalexli@gmail.com. Applications are due by 7pm on the day of the pageant. Pageant rules and applications are at www.rcgse.org under the library tab. The Sunday Funday, held the fourth weekend of every month at the SunTrapp will be an, “End of Summer Luau” hosted by Czar and Czarina XLII John Apel and Tracie
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Aviary. The luau starts at 4:30 pm. A $5 suggested donation benefits the General Fund. The Court will attend Moab Pride starting Friday Sept. 29. Former Miss Gay Pride Alexa Skies is the Moab Pride organizer for the RCGSE visit. Court members will perform and entertain Friday night and during the festival on Saturday. Visibility March starts at noon and RCGSE will be hosting a booth during the festival. That same weekend as Moab Pride, at the Sun Trapp, Marquesa XLII Vanessa Steele is hosting carnival games and food at the RCGSE Carnival! Tickets are Four for $1 for the carnival on the patio of the SunTrapp. Proceeds to RCGSE Carnival will benefit the People’s Concern Fund which helps fund assistance requests for utility bills this winter.
Support group for families of transitioning adults As our society moves toward greater acceptance of the broad spectrum of gender identity, people are finding it easier to come out and be true to their core selves. Creating safe spaces for families and friends to process a person’s transition can be an integral part of a successful and healthy transition and strengthen relationships. Jack Haden, LCSW and Jania Sommers, LCSW are putting together a support group called Supportive Transitions. This three-week course beginning Monday, October 16, will help people learn how to advocate for their family member or friend, and connect with others who can empathize with the complex emotions that arise with
such a change. For more information, an article by Haden is on our website at bit.ly/transsupportslc and you can contact them at jackhaden85@gmail.com or janiasommers. LCSW@gmail.com
Rocky Horror at the Tower Might be the first time Gay or Transgender person was shown in a positive light on the big screen was the Rocky Horror Picture show. The 1975 cult classic returns to the Tower Theatre for this annual October event. Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon star as newlyweds Brad and Janet, lost in a rainstorm and seeking shelter in the castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), a mad scientist from the planet Transsexual Transylvania. The SLSF benefit tickets are $15 each. Buy Tix and check times for all screenings between October 20 and 31 at: buff.ly/2xF0Qvo Q
Modern Weddings Classic Setting
Thomas S. Monson Center 411 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 801-213-8770 monsoncenter.utah.edu
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Annual Cancer Awareness Week Events from RCGSE Every year, the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire hosts a week of events during the month of October to raise cancer awareness and proceeds for those needing financial assistance due to
H.M.I.M. EMPRESS XLII Tiana LaShae
medical costs incurred. The Cancer Awareness week was started 20 years ago by proclamation of Empress XXI Tasha Montiel, who committed the reigning Empress to oversee the fund and to host the annual week of events. This year, Empress XLII Tiana LaShae has organized twelve functions stretched out among ten days beginning with a show in Ogden on Friday October 6th and will continue with events every day through October 15th.The Empress promises a variety of activities like bowling, darts, billiards and barbecues. “Not all events will be held at bars,” notes the Empress, “so there should be something for everyone.” Part of each program will be teaching, demonstrations and information on how to check for certain types of cancer at home for early detection and hopefully stop progression before it reaches advanced stages.
RCGSE Cancer Awareness week Friday October 6, Roy Eagles. “BELIEVE (A SONNY AND CHER SHOW)”, doors 8 p.m., show 9 p.m. with another event and venue through the following Sunday: Saturday October 7, Two shows at two venues, both at 8:30 p.m. Sun Trapp “SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND,” and at Club Jam, “JAMMIN FOR A CURE.” Monday, October 9, Bonwood Bowl. “STRIKE OUT CANCER,” 9 p.m. Tuesday, October 10, Sun Trapp. “DARTS FOR A CURE”, 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 11, Sun Trapp, “DRAG QUEEN BINGO”, 8 p.m. Thursday, October 12, Sun Trapp, “FOXY POOL TOURNAMENT”, 8 p.m. Friday, October 13, two shows at two locations, Sun Trapp, “EMPRESS TEA PARTY”, 7 p.m. and Club Jam, “TIANA’S BIRTHDAY BASH AND SHOW,” 9 p.m. Saturday, October 14, Sun Trapp, “THE MONARCHS SHOW”, 9 p.m. Sunday, October 15, Sun Trapp, “THE GOLDEN FINAE”, 4:30 p.m.
Anyone wishing to participate or donate goods, services, or money to the cancer fund may do so by contacting LaShae at www.empress. org. For a complete listing of events, you will find them at our website www.rcgse.org or on Facebook on the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire page. Tiana LaShae says, “This is a community collaboration and are very appreciative of the businesses and organizations who have already started to contribute. Together we can make a difference!” Q
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The Art of Safe Sex
10.14.2017 Fa s h i o n S h o w w i t h S p e c i a l G u e s t Pe r f o r m a n c e ! Silent Art Auction Live Music Cocktail Reception Dinner
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views
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quotes “I’m incredibly proud of [retired Patriots and Chiefs lineman Ryan O’Callaghan]. I know he had a lot of fear about it, and how he would be accepted, and how people would change around him. I think society is finally moving in the right direction, as far as treating all people with respect and love and acceptance and appreciation. And the locker room, I think the sport is getting closer.There’s [still] a fear of job security. If you have a differing opinion, differing sexual orientation, they can get rid of you. So is it better just to be quiet and not ever say anything? And not risk getting cut, with people saying: ‘Well, it’s because you can’t play’?” – Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, in an interview with ESPN about gay players’ significant fears about coming out.
“Hollywood is so f**ked up. So much of the focus is on your personal life & has nothing to do with the talent you have to bring to the table. Thank god for Ryan Murphy, Greg Berlanti, & Jeff Davis. They believe gay actors are more than just their personal lives. So disappointed in how Hollywood can’t understand that playing a character has nothing to do with how u live your personal life.” – Colton Haynes, on Twitter firing off a series of rants on being an openly gay actor in Hollywood
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who’s your daddy
Robert and Glen’s big fat gay wedding BY CHRISTOPHER KATIS
Next month
our family is attending the wedding of our friends Robert Moody and Glen Hoen. It’s actually our first “gay” wedding — our own notwithstanding, of course. And when I say our family, I don’t just mean Kelly, the boys and me; my mom and sister are attending too. Here’s the twist: my mom has been to more gay weddings than I have. Robert and Glen’s big fat gay wedding won’t be Mom’s first rodeo. I think that’s both hilarious and very cool. My mom probably wouldn’t consider herself an ally. She’d simply say that she likes Robert, she wants him to be happy, and she’ll be at the wedding to support him. It doesn’t matter to her whom he chooses to marry. And that, dear readers, is the definition of an ally. In my opinion, it’s everyday allies like my mom, who truly effect change. Now I understand that not everybody is lucky enough to have a mom traipsing off to one gay couple’s wedding after another. I also realize that not everyone is lucky enough to have a family that accepts and loves the person with whom they’ve chosen to spend the rest of their lives. I’m incredibly lucky in that matter. Hell, my cousin Yvonne freely admits that Kelly is her favorite cousin! An octogenarian grandmother’s attendance at more same-gender weddings than her gay son is a clear sign that allies have helped to push society’s overall acceptance of LGBT people and our relationships into the norm. Certainly there are people who would never go to a wedding of two guys. But day by day they become the minority. Interestingly, about 20 years ago, I got into an email scuffle with a friend of a friend. He was calling on all LGBT people to boycott straight weddings. His hypothesis was that by not attending our straight family and friends’ weddings, we would force them to end marriage inequality. The idea was just ridiculous to me. I explained how our best friends, Sabine and John, did more to advance equality than a lot gay people I knew.
Hell, John even boycotted the wedding of a mutual friend when he learned Kelly and I had explicitly not been invited. Look, nothing changes for any group of people without the express help of allies. Their ongoing support transforms once radical change into the everyday norm, which is why I was so happy to hear my sons ask if they could attend Robert and Glen’s wedding. Usually they whine about having to go to an event with us. It will be the first “gay” wedding they remember. They were both at our second wedding — it took us a couple of times for it to stick legally — but they were too young to do anything more than toss pebbles at our feet. Gus was also at our first wedding. In fact his presence in my arms caused dozens of news cameras to zoom in on us as we descended the grand staircase in San Francisco City Hall. I’m excited for Robert and Glen, and can’t wait to be a small part in Good for the entire family. whatever the future Not valid with any other offers. holds for them. I’m happy to see them so happy. But I’m also proud. I’m proud of them for taking a “screw them if they don’t like it” attitude. I’m proud of their families and friends for standing with them. I’m proud of my mom, sister and my Located in Bountiful boys for wanting to and Salt Lake City celebrate the guys’ love. But most of all, Salt Lake Bountiful I’m proud to know 2150 S. Main St 104 425 S. Medical Dr 211 that thanks to the 801-883-9177 801-397-5220 support of all these people, one day it’ll www.alpenglowdentists.com just be plain Robert and Glen’s big fat To schedule an appointment, please call 801.878.1700 wedding Q Evening and Saturday Appointments Available
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lambda lore
My March on Washington, 30 years later BY BEN WILLIAMS
On Sept. 9,
we lost a giant from our community. Rev. Bruce M. Barton, pastor of the Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church for over a decade, died at the age of 71. I could memorialize him through all his awards, like being a recipient of the Dr. Kristen Ries Community Service Award in 1988, but I’d rather share a special time I had with him and his late husband Bruce Harmon, former Emperor XV of the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire. Referencing my journal entry dated Oct. 10, 1987, the following is most of what I had experienced during the March on Washington 30 years ago. Rev. Barton and I attended the worship service at the Metropolitan Community Church District Conference the morning before the March. Many of the people who spoke had trekked on foot from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., holding gay flags and banners through communities in Pennsylvania and Maryland along the way. After the service I bought a button touting “Gay Christian” from Marsha Stevens, who wrote the song “For Those Tears I Died.” We then connected with my traveling companion, Mark Lamar, who had gone off earlier with a bagpipe-blowing buddy, and we took the hotel shuttle to catch the Metrorail into the city. Everywhere we looked there were gay people wearing various March on Washington buttons. There was a heightened sense of solidarity, brotherand sisterhood. We were on a mission, and while it seemed like a gigantic national Gay Pride Day event, it was much more. While on the shuttle, we visited with some guys from South Florida. Almost no one was having “attitude” issues. Most people were friendly, joyful, excited, and everyone was asking each other “Where are you from?” It was fantastic. Our Florida friends said they tried driving into D.C., but there was absolutely no parking so they had to go back to Arlington and take public transit back in. Then one of them told me that a man and his wife looked at my Gay Christian
button and were muttering under their breath about it. The man was mad and the wife was afraid. What made him so mad, and her fear me? When we reached D.C., our little contingency got off at the Smithsonian. I heard 350,000 gays were already there to tell the world we are never going back. Everywhere we looked there were thousands of gay people. It was impressive to me, not like gay events in Salt Lake City, where we were lucking to get a couple hundred people. At 2 p.m. there was a mass wedding of gay couples on in front of the IRS building. We weren’t sure if we were going to go but when we saw the wave of humanity surging in that direction we were swept up and realized how important it was to be there, witness and support it. On the steps of the IRS building, there was a gathering of Neo-Nazis and Born Again Christians holding signs and placards proclaiming us all sinners going straight to hell. They screamed that Jesus hated us. It was there that Barton spotted Rev. Troy Perry, founder of the MCC fellowship, who was facing the Nazis and showing no fear. Barton and I, bedecked with gay buttons, hustled up the steps behind the Nazis to get a picture of Rev. Perry talking to reporters. Most of the crowd totally ignored the Nazis and continued to the stage that had a huge arch of white, black and silver and loud speakers blaring “We Are What We Are” from the musical La Cage Aux Folles. There were at least 10,000 people huddled in the street, others sat in trees and stood on lamp posts; everywhere hundreds of people were holding silver balloons. The couples getting married were in the middle of this throng, many in tuxedos and wedding dresses. It was exhilarating to watch. The clear blue autumn sky made the day even more spectacular as over 2,000 gay couples were there to be wed. When the ceremony was about to begin, the spectators were asked to hold hands and form a circle around those getting married. They asked the couples to forgive each of the past and everyone was asked
to take a deep breath and let it out. Then we were asked to take one step into the future and 10,000 people did, collectively in unison. I then left, but not before I told Barton and Harmon that I’d meet them at 4 p.m., in front of the Lambda Rising bookstore and from there we would go hear Rev. Perry speak at the First Congregational Church. That was my plan, but it didn’t work out that way. I walked a mile back to the Metro and took it to DuPont Circle. It was after five o’clock when I resurfaced from the subterranean transit and rode a long escalator up the bowels of the earth to a truly enchanted fairy land. Thousands of gay people were everywhere holding hands, lavender flowers tucked behind ears; and hunky guys sitting shirtless on concrete benches. Everyone had on at least one button and most had several saying anything from “March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian Rights” to simple pink triangles on a black background. Hundreds of people were working the crowd, handing out leaflets by the hundreds regarding everything from AIDS Awareness to “Join the Socialist Workers Party.” The overall feelings of the place were of love, support, commitment, pride and dedication to never going back. It reminded me of the hippie love-in festivals of the ’60s, except we were so much better dressed. I had managed to find Lambda Rising by the size of the crowd out front and also with the help of this cute man from Texas. He said he hadn’t known anything was going on and was just in the city on his way to Boston. He was awestruck because in Texas he and his lover were closeted. Outside the bookstore hundreds were in line to go in. I was so late getting there I figured Barton and Harmon had already left since they needed to be at the chuch at 6 o’clock. I waited anyway, just in case and a camera crew appeared, filming the crowd, asking people, “Where are you from?” When a microphone appeared in my face I shouted, “Salt Lake City” as enthusiastically as I could. The woman with the microphone perked up and motioned the camera man to point the camera at me and asked could you repeat that? I smiled brightly and said “Salt Lake City” with my chest puffed up so my Brigham Young Uni-
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creep of the month versity sweatshirt was prominent in the shot. I don’t know if I made the local news but I think I probably did. That was fun. I did reconnect with Barton and Harmon, who said Rev. Perry was in fiery form and his talk was absolutely wonderful. I was sorry I missed it. I hadn’t heard Rev. Troy Perry preach since November, 1971 when I went to the MCC in Los Angeles. It was fine to be back at the hotel safe and sound. I really wanted to stay in and rest up for the March the following day but Harmon suggested we go back into Washington for dinner. So we called a taxi, and while waiting in the lobby I overheard the desk clerk tell this heterosexual couple that there wasn’t a vacancy. She said in fact there wasn’t a vacancy in the Greater Washington area. She suggested that they try farther south. What an impact we must have made on the city. I was glad I was writing ‘Gay $’ on all the bills I spent. We piled into a taxi and went to this place called the General Male, which was exotic to this Salt Lake gay. We were looking for souvenirs to take back to Utah. From there we went to a McDonalds and realized we were in the hooker district of D.C. Pimps and prostitutes were everywhere, eating Big Macs and slurping Coca Colas. I thought how exciting this all is with neon signs flashing “Live Girls” outside. At McDonalds we were about the only whites there and definitely were the only “colorful” people. It was a tough audience to play. Two black pimps stared at us like we were disgusting because we weren’t interested in buying their female merchandise. As we ate, four young, menacing white guys came in and started watching us. So we left, and while standing on a darkened corner waiting for the light to change, a group of guys came up and one dude leaned into us and said, “Can you tell us where we can see some naked girls?” Barton said to me, “Use your imagination.” So I piped up cheerfully, “Yeah, down the street there’s a theater with live girls!” I was just trying to be friendly. Harmon looked at me like I had lost my damn mind and when they walked ahead of us and turned down an alley, Barton said to me, “Don’t you know they were queer baiting us?” I really didn’t. I just thought they were horny straight guys. Q
Dave Daubenmire Hurricane
BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI
Harvey has wrecked havoc on Texas, especially Houston and the surrounding areas. Thankfully the hurricane has prompted people who’ve previously denied global warming to say, “You know what, maybe these scientists know a thing or two after all.” Ha ha. Just kidding. They’re blaming lesbians. One particular lesbian shoulders much of the blame: former Houston Mayor Annise Parker who served from 2010 to 2016. I’m not sure why people are acting so surprised. She did say during all of her campaign appearances, “Elect me your Sapphic leader and I shall summon the moon to sync the menstrual cycles of all Houston womyn and the ocean shall rise up until the tides cover the dirt and we shall call this new mermaid city Swamp Ophelia.” You know, boilerplate lesbian stump speech material. And so there are some people who are like, “God did this to teach those homo-lovers in Houston a lesson!” There’s Ann Coulter, the human manifestation of a hermit crab who gets loose in the house and dies in a heating duct that no mortal can reach. On Aug. 28, she said via Twitter, “I don’t believe Hurricane Harvey is God’s punishment for Houston electing a lesbian mayor. But that is more credible than ‘climate change.’” And then there’s Dave Daubenmire who calls himself “Coach Dave” because he loves Jesus and football. He’s also complained in the past of being “Sodomized by the left” and declared that America needs “a more violent Christianity.” “Houston, we got a problem here,” he says. “Could some of the problems be the result of the judgment of God coming your way because of the slaughter of unborn children? You had a lesbian mayor who wanted to look at the prayers of pastors in their churches. It’s a debauchery,” he said. What’s this about looking at “prayers of pastors?” While Daubenmire and other “religious freedom” advocates would like you to believe that Parker was infringing
on the free speech of Christians, that is not the case. The truth is actually much more boring and has to do with overly broad subpoenas in a lawsuit over HERO, the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, something the pastors in question fought very hard. The subpoenas were later narrowed in scope making the whole thing moot except to religious freedom conspiracy theorists like Daubenmire. “People tell me that Houston, Texas, is one of the darkest cities in America,” Daubenmire continues. “Isn’t it amazing, Katrina slammed New Orleans — we know about voodoo and the darkness in New Orleans. Then it moved right down the coast to Houston, Texas which isn’t far away, five hours right down along the Gulf of Mexico. Boom, here it comes, now it’s underwater.” Surely calling Houston and New Orleans “dark” cities is simply a reference to some kind of sinister energy has nothing to do with the fact that lots of brown and black people live there. So don’t try to Sodomize Daubenmire with your racist accusations, leftists! “Water is a sign of judgment and cleansing,” he continues. “Is now not the time for the voice of the church to rise up and declare, ‘Let’s stop killing the babies!’” As far as the “voice of the church” demanding the end of abortion, it’s not like conservative Christians have been shy in their disapproval of reproductive rights. Maybe Daubenmire is hoping for some of that “more violent” Christianity at work. Daubenmire then says, “I don’t want this to appear to be judgmental, but I don’t know what else to do!” Well, you just blamed a flood on lesbians and people who have abortions. So it’s kinda late to worry about seeming judgmental. But if you’re looking for feedback, you also seem hateful and mentally unstable like you might be a danger to yourself or others. Hope that helps. 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 @MamaDWitkowski.
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Equality Utah’s Allies Dinner honorees cross age and ethnic gaps Equality Utah’s 2017 Allies Dinner is ready to feed, slightly intoxicate, inspire and celebrate LGBTQ allies with the typically thousands of attendees at the annual event. This year, Chelsea Handler, a comedienne, activist and the host of her own Netflix talk show Chelsea, is keynote speaker. The edgy, outspoken and occasionally ridiculed Handler “is the perfect cure for the American Hangover!” The Revolution Q Allies awardees this year include:
Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck Earlier this year, Chavez-Houck was one proponent of HB 369 (Sexual Offenses and Statutory Nonconsent Amendments), which singled out HIV/AIDS. She countered, “I think I would argue that in some cases gonorrhea, related to unchecked gonorrhea and untreated gonorrhea, can be much more severe than treated HIV. I think there are also some other infections related to other STD’s. Chlamydia and syphilis are also rising, and I think that those are all very disconcerting types of STI’s. I’m still perplexed as to why HIV was identified and as something that you want to target versus all STI’s. They can have long-term health effects that are very, very detrimental if not checked.” Chavez-Houck is also an advocate for women’s rights, medical marijuana and “right to die” legislation. “I am representing a constituency that is begging to be heard, is begging to be considered and whose rights also need to be preserved,” she said.
Barnabas Wobiliya and Apollo Kamarah Ugandan activists and Utah-based refugees Wobiliya and Kamarah have made friends with LGBTQ Utahns and connected with local groups like Equality Utah and
The Utah Pride Center. As special guests, the men attended Equality Utah’s 2016 Allies Dinner. They were amazed at the size and energy of the local LGBTQ community. Wobiliya and Kamarah continue their activism, working online with African organizations, and speaking out about the persecution they faced. Why do these men continue to spend their time, money and energy to help LGBTQ people, even after facing so much discrimination and violence themselves? “I have a heart to help,” said Wobiliya. He said he has the will to continue because, despite having to leave his family and home, he feels part of a larger purpose. EU posted to FB: We are excited to honor two incredible LGBTQ activists, Barnabas and Apollo at the Equality Utah Allies Dinner 2017. They were HIV/ AIDS activists in Uganda before the “Kill the Gays” legislation was introduced by their Parliament. They sought asylum in the U.S., and are now building a new life in Utah. Come meet these incredible men! See last month’s QSaltLake for a feature story on Wobiliya and Kamarah
John, James and Jessie Doe, plaintiffs in No Homo Promo lawsuit On behalf of Equality Utah and the National Center for Lesbian Rights, these young, unidentified plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the Utah State Board of Education sought to remove all language in Utah code that forbids discussion of homosexuality in Utah schools. And they succeeded! The No Homo Promo statute was overturned during the last legislative session. BAM! Q The Equality Utah’s Allies Dinner will be Sept. 30, 6 p.m., at the Salt Palace Convention Center, 100 S. West Temple. Tickets online at equalityutah.org.
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PFLAG director on how to be an LGBT ally At the end of September is Equality Utah’s annual Allies Dinner — the largest fundraising dinner in the state of Utah. Each year to organization thanks allies for their help in the ongoing effort for LGBT equality. More and more in the U.S. voice support for gay and lesbian rights each year, as nearly 20 years of Gallup polling shows, and about half of Americans favor more protections for fellow citizens who are LGBT. Yet as Americans increasingly call themselves allies of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, many still do or say things that, however unknowingly, hurt the very people they mean to help. Here are ways to be a better LGBT ally according to Beth Kohm, interim director of PFLAG, a national organization of LGBT allies.
Help make spaces safe for LGBT people
Pride events: They’re not about you
If someone comes out, ask these two questions
“Think of it as a wedding,” Kohm said. “The one thing guests should not do is overshadow the people getting married. If you were invited, it is because members of the LGBT community see you as an ally and appreciate your presence.” At any LGBT space, realize that it’s your role above all to be supportive — whether you get what’s going on or not, she said: “Know that while some expressions of Pride might not feel comfortable for you as an ally, it’s your role to help hold the space for people to be themselves.” Take cues from LGBT folks on what’s appropriate for you, she added, and have fun.
Attitudes are changing, but being LGBT still carries risks, Kohm noted, from everyday acts of exclusion to mass tragedies like last year’s Pulse nightclub shooting. Allies can help LGBT people feel safer in shared spaces in ways both active and passive. A pride item, like a rainbow flag at a workspace or a pin on a bag, goes a long way in signaling your presence as an ally, Kohm said. But speaking up when you hear or see discrimination is key. “Don’t let it slide,” Kohm said. “Be willing to educate others when you hear something wrong.”
Don’t say you “always knew” or that you “suspected as much.” Simply express appreciation that they considered you a safe person to open up to, Kohm said, and then ask them two questions: 1. “ARE YOU OUT TO ANYONE ELSE?” Regardless of the answer, stay quiet with what you know. Making assumptions can lead to you outing someone by mistake. 2. “HOW CAN I HELP?” Show your feelings haven’t changed by offering your support. And then, of course, show it.
Google: An LGBT ally’s friend You don’t need to know everything to be an ally. But it’s your job to take initiative and follow up on topics you don’t understand, Kohm said. “Perhaps it’s a word, like pansexual. A quick Google search can help with that,” she said. “Perhaps it’s an issue, like
transgender military service. Research the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and everything that has happened since then.”
Lead with your allyship when LGBT topics arise When LGBT topics come up, state up front that you’re an ally, Kohm said, letting those around you know you’re available as a resource and support. “You can create conversations with visible signals like a bumper sticker, a button, or a social media campaign,” Kohm said. “You can create conversa-
tions by talking about what’s happening with the LGBT characters on your favorite TV show.”
Know how assumptions can hurt We all make assumptions without even realizing it. A man with a wedding ring doesn’t always have a wife, for
instance, but our brains make false connections before we can realize them. “Every time we assume that someone is straight and cisgender they have to make a calculation as to whether it is safe to come out,” Kohm said. “That can be stressful, distracting, and exhausting. Keeping assumptions in check and choosing to use inclusive language (like partner, spouse, or significant other) can make a huge difference.”
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26 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | LGBT HISTORY MONTH
Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 272 | OCTOBER 2017
WHEN WE MOBILIZE
The 1987 March on Washington pushed the AIDS crisis to public consciousness BY MEL BAKER
In April of 1987 I was back home in Salt Lake City after having marched across the U.S. on the Great Peace March the year earlier. I was itching to take on a new challenge. The valley was the community I’d been raised in and the one I come out in back in 1981, when I got involved with young activists like Michael Aaron and became co-host of KRCL’s Concerning Gays and Lesbians. In the early 80’s a strange disease affecting gay men in San Francisco and New York was still mostly a mystery to us, it would soon become the all consuming fire raging thru our community. That May I left Salt Lake again to go to Washington, DC to volunteer on the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Was I running away from the fire beginning to burn in my home community or was I bravely racing into the fire to fight for our lives? I’m still not certain, but here at least is my story of those days.
The march
from the White House to the Capitol was already underway on that Sunday, October 11, 1987. I was working in the press area in front of the main stage, where I’d been handing out press credentials and answering reporters’ logistical questions for hours. One of the reporters was a man about my age working for United Press International’s radio unit, the second biggest wire service in the U.S. He was carrying a Marantz cassette recorder, just like the one I had used at my radio job in Salt Lake City, Utah. I walked up to him thinking I’d talk shop about his gear and noticed the white cassette in the dock, on it scrawled in bright red magic marker was just one word, “FAGS.” I was stunned then furious. I walked up to him and grabbed the March press credential around his neck and with barely con-
trolled fury said, “Give me your damn press pass now!” With a smirk on his face, he said, “Why?” I said, “You know damn well why, give it to me!” He handed me the credential and I walked him to the press gate and told the other volunteers not to let him back in. I hoped he would be in deep shit for not getting to record the Reverend Jesse Jackson and others yet to come on stage. The reporter’s homophobia was hardly surprising, President Reagan had only said the word “AIDS” in public for the first time in May of that year. Nearly 21,000 Americans had already died after years of neglect and deliberate efforts to slow AIDS research and education by Reagan and conservatives like Senator Jesse Helms. Now we’d brought the graveyard to their front door. Saturday at dawn volunteers dressed in white ritualistically and reverently laid out 1,920 three-by-six foot quilt panels —
each the size of a grave — with the name of a person who had died of AIDS. Two blocks of the massive Washington Mall became a cemetery of hope. Cleve Jones dedicated the Quilt with these words; “We bring a quilt. We bring it here today with shocked sorrow at its vastness and the speed with which its acreage redoubles. We bring it to this place at this time accompanied by our deepest hope: that the leaders of our country will see the evidence of our labor and our love and that they will be moved.” As someone who suspected I already had the virus I wondered what my panel would look like. The 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights was not the first time the LGBT community had marched in D.C. The very first protest was a small group of Mattachine Society and Daugh—CONTINUED ON PAGE 28
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Utahns at the 1987 March on Washington Excerpt from an article by Ben Williams as published in Nov. 1987 in Triangle Magazine, Michael Aaron publisher
“These are the 20 people who I saw representing Utah in the March on Washington: John Bennett, Chair of the Gay and Lesbian Community Council, Michael Aaron, David Nelson, Nancy, John, Guy Larsen, and Cory Cozza, all from the Royal Court, Chris Brown, Joe Dewey, Ragnar McCall, his friend Steve, and Val Mansfield all from LGSU [the University of Utah’s Lesbian Gay Student Union], Steve Oldroyd, John Bush, Mark Lamar and myself. Two more gay guys, who I didn’t know, one who was on crutches, and two lesbians later joined us on route because they used to live in Utah. “There may have been more people who joined us but not much more. Other Utahns who marched under different contingencies were Rev. Bruce Barton, Bruce Harmon and Bob McIntier who all marched with [the Metropolitan Community Church]. Jon Butler and Tony Feliz marched with Affirmation [Gay and Lesbian Mormons]. Then of course there was Mel Baker, formerly of KRCL’s Concerning Gays and Lesbians who was now with the National Planning Committee. Every state in the Union was now represented this time; unlike 1979 when Utah was not represented at all. “As Utah marched, we had our spirits lifted by kind souls shouting “Utah! Glad you’re here!” The Arizona contingency before us was chanting “Recall Governor Meacham” so as not to be outdone; Michael Aaron led us in chanting “We’re sorry about Hatch! We’re sorry about Hatch!” People were laughing with us and saying along the way, “We forgive you!” “It’s not your fault!” “We’re sorry too!” Then Michael came up with a new chant. “We’ll fight, we’ll scratch to get rid of Orrin Hatch!” Steve Oldroyd added this ditty “Right now we’re here Mormon Tabernacle Queers.”
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28 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | LGBT HISTORY MONTH
ter’s of Bilitus members, who carried placards in front of the White House on April 17, 1965, more than four years before Stonewall. A few weeks before our march, I was working in our little media office when a man in his sixties came in. He introduced himself as Jim Kepner. I recognized the name and said, “You were in the Mattachine Society!” He seemed pleased that I knew who he was and took a pin out of his pocket and gave it to me; it was from the 1979 March on Washington. He touseled my hair and said how happy he was that young folk were carrying on the work. The ’79 March on Washington brought around 80,000 people to the Ellipse just south of the White House. Eight years later a community galvanized by the AIDS crisis and the rising power of the fundamentalist right would bring an even broader swath of people from around the U.S. and the world. It had been an exhilarating morning, up at dawn getting our press kits together in our offices just two floors above the George Bush for President campaign. Hundreds of marchers had been coming in to the offices to ask questions or just see what was happening. A favorite pastime had been to “accidentally” stop on the Bush floor and try to put a little “fear of the queers” into the Republican space. In fact some of the Bush office staff were helpful, including a young, I suspected closeted gay man in a suit who allowed us use the Xerox machine when ours went
on the fritz. As the march kicked-off from the White House on Sunday morning I was riding in a flatbed truck in front of the march main banner with the camera crews and photographers working to catch the march in motion. Whoopi Goldberg was in the “People with AIDS” contingent just behind the first banner, pushing one of her friends with AIDS. She would later hold an impromptu press conference in which she said, “I’ve lost sixty of my friends to AIDS. I’m here for me, my friends, my daughter and all of those who are suffering.’’ There were so many people it took hours for the march to make its way from the White House Ellipse to the Capitol. Several hours into the march, organizers simply told those waiting on the White House ellipse to forego the route around the White House and walk straight down the Mall and around the AIDS Memorial Quilt to the rally stage. The U.S. Park Police had told us before the march that the mall could hold around 250,000 people per block. We filled three blocks all the way back to the AIDS Quilt. The Park Service’s official number would be given as 200,000 taken from earlier in the day. It was clear that the number was at least three times higher. As people moved past the AIDS Memorial Quilt, the Reverend Jesse Jackson took the stage and used the metaphor of a quilt to define his vision of America. He believed the United States is not so much a melting pot, eliminating all differences,
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as it is a patchwork quilt of many groups; African-Americans, labor, feminists the poor and others. He urged us to join his campaign and warned the Lesbian and Gay community that, “your quilt is too small.” The message was that we needed to join with other groups to win political power. A philosophy shared by slain San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk a decade earlier, when he won office with the help of labor, minorities, and seniors. Jackson’s speech came late in the day, but brought with it significant press coverage. He had just declared his bid for the Democratic Presidential nomination the day before and when he entered our stage he carried a huge contingent of reporters with him from his campaign bus. Jackson had been here in Washington with the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., on the other end of the Mall in front of the Lincoln Memorial during the historic 1963 Civil Rights March on Washington. Now he spoke of the need for civil rights protections for gays and lesbians and more funding for AIDS. While the political power demonstrated by the march and the call for compassion created by the AIDS Memorial Quilt were powerful, we as a community were crippled by the Supreme Court’s Bowers v. Hardwick decision handed down a year earlier. The ruling upholding sodomy laws gave our enemies a perfect weapon to deny AIDS education and research funding at all levels. It was easy to argue that we didn’t deserve compassion or help, when we were felons in many states
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because of the way we loved. The rage against that decision boiled over on the steps of the Supreme Court itself on Monday morning. More than 600 people were arrested during the course of the day, denouncing the high court’s ruling upholding sodomy laws. Michael Hardwick and another man had been arrested in his Georgia bedroom while having sex, after police were allowed to enter the apartment by a roommate. The “Out and Outraged” protest at the Supreme Court was the largest civil disobedience demonstration in the nation’s capitol since the Vietnam War. At the time of the march many wondered if it would actually make any difference. The mobilization of October 1987 did in fact empower the LGBT and HIV communities. ACT UP surged to even greater direct actions. The AIDS Memorial Quilt would return a year later, this time on the vast oval ellipse behind the White House with 8,288 panels. LGBT lobbying and political organizations also grew in size and influence. The vile Hardwick decision was reversed in 2003 when a case involving Texas police arresting a gay man for consensual sex in his own home was this time, gratefully found unconstitutional in Lawrence v. Texas, rapidly unraveling sodomy laws across the U.S. Whether it was the first protest in 1965 or later LGBT marches on Washington in 1993 or 2000, what we’ve learned applies to the work of activists today, whether it’s for HIV treatment, education and
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decriminalization, the Black Lives Matter movement, a woman’s right to choose, or the ongoing efforts to expand the protections and rights of LGBT folks. Feet on the street matter. Mobilizing people to march builds community and is a show of force both to the media and to politicians. Finding a way to generate a compassionate response from the public is vital. There was no more powerful tool than the direct, emotional impact of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Righteous anger is a powerful weapon, when harnessed in a nonviolent way. The civil disobedience at the Supreme Court and the numerous ACT UP direct actions showed that injustice should be met with rage and a demand for change. The 1987 march changed my life. I stayed in D.C. and worked in the anti-nuclear movement and later for National Public Radio. October 1987 inspired me to fight HIV with as much courage as those men being pushed in wheel chairs during the march. Nine years later after taking part in four clinical trials, buyer’s club
herbs, supplements, and other therapies, I would start taking the protease inhibitor cocktail that saved my life. Perhaps someday I’ll give one of my remaining march badges to a young activist and tell them how proud I am that they are continuing to carry on the work that so many embraced with the 1987 march theme, “For Love and for Life We’re Not Going Back!” Q The original version of this article published in A&U: America’s AIDS Magazine and is used with permission. Mel Baker is a broadcast journalist who was orn and raised in Utah and is now living and working in San Francisco. He was an activist in the anti-nuclear weapons, LGBT civil rights, and AIDS care movements. He took part in four AIDS drug trials in the late eighties and nineties and was one of the Lazarus patients saved by the protease drug cocktail. He is married to artist Leslie Aguilar.
30 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 272 | OCTOBER 2017 THE BAYOU
ANNUAL EVENTS Well, the new season of the Big Gay Fun Bus has sprung … a leak! Petunia’s Bombsicles or whatever she’s calling them this month are on the fritz. So to lift her spirits please limit your age to 80 and under (cutoff is at 21) and refrain from speaking in any language other than English — broken English is okay and improper grammar is encouraged (see this month’s “Perils of Petunia Pap Smear” for more info).
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SATURDAY — BIG GAY FUN BUS TO WEST WENDOVER
Gay Agenda BY TONY HOBDAY
Club Try-Angles, 251 W. Harvey Milk Blvd, 12–9pm. Tickets $25 or $100 season pass, biggayfunbus.com
CONCERTS Calling all Bat-Boiz and Bat-Gurrrls … Don’t miss a night with costume-clad crime fighters The Aquabats when they bring their super power synth, aquabeat music and zany antics once again to the Utah stage. Also on the bill this month are amazing acts: The Script, Alison Kraus with David Gray, new mommy Janet Jackson, and Kesha, who said; “My new album is called Rainbow and it’s not a coincidence that rainbows are also a symbol of LGBTQ pride. Color for the past couple of years has been symbolic of hope for me. For me, rainbows are a sign of freedom to be yourself and celebrate who you are no matter what anyone else thinks.” (See p. 53)
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FRIDAY — THE AQUABATS
The Depot, 400 W. South Temple, 7pm. Tickets $23 Adv/$25 Day Of/VIP: $123, smithstix.com
WEDNESDAY — THE SCRIPT
The Complex, 536 W. 100 South, 7pm. Tickets $25 Adv/$30 Day Of, smithstix.com
SATURDAY — ALISON KRAUS AND DAVID GRAY
USANA Amphitheatre, 5150 Upper Ridge Rd, WVC, 7:30pm. Tickets $30–65, smithstix.com
MONDAY — JANET JACKSON: STATE OF THE WORLD TOUR
Vivint Smart Home Arena, 301 S. West Temple, 8pm. Tickets $26.75–122, smithstix.com
WEDNESDAY — KESHA: RAINBOW TOUR
The Complex, 536 W. 100 South, 7pm. Tickets $35.50 Adv/$38 Day Of, smithstix.com
DANCE In Repertory Dance Company’s “Sanctuary,” the nature of sacred places inspires the centerpiece commission by Zvi Gotheiner, celebrating the Bears Ears National Monument with a new ritual that connects humanity to sacred water and land. “Tower,” by Andy Noble honors the hallowed ground where the Twin Towers once stood amidst falling rain and features 33 dancers, including guests from Utah Valley University. Performing under a torrent of 120 pounds of falling rice, the dancers in Eric Handman’s “Ghost Ship” explore how we are connected to our sense of place.
“BRINE” is presented by RDT’s LINK Series, an outreach program offering independent choreographers the opportunity to present their work in performance. RDT provides infrastructure and advisory support for production and marketing, while allowing the choreographer to retain artistic autonomy.
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THURSDAY — SANCTUARY
Jeanne Wagner Theatre, Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. 300 South, 7:30pm, through Oct. 7. Tickets $30, artsaltlake.org
THURSDAY — BRINE: DISEMBODIED WE
Black Box Theatre, Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. 300 South, times vary, through Friday. Tickets $18, artsaltlake.org
SPECIAL ENGAGEMENTS Get ready to party your Bombsicles off with RuPaul’s Drag Race season 9 contestant Shea Coulee, and guests Cartel Chameleon, DJ Shutter and Xaina. Aerial Arts of Utah creates mystical creatures that take flight on aerial silk, trapeze, lyra and more in a landscape of mystery and magic. In this enchanted world, things are not what they seem. It’s a place where supernatural powers take hold of natural forces and the impossible becomes possible.
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SATURDAY — SHEA COULEE
Metro Music Hall, 615 W. 100 South, 9pm. Must be 21+. Tickets $20 adv/$25 Day of, smithstix.com
FRIDAY — FLIGHT OF FANCY; ILLUSIONS
Black Box Theatre, Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. 300 South, times vary, through Saturday. Tickets $28, artsaltlake.org
THEATRE/OPERA You’re invited to look inside the soul of an artist, with Puccini’s classic depiction of struggling bohemians navigating love, life and death in turn-of-the-century Paris. The characters from Lend Me a Tenor are back and this time in Paris, on the eve of a star-studded concert where three famous tenors are scheduled to perform together. Of course, everything that can go wrong does, including clandestine love affairs, romantic misunderstandings and enormous operatic egos threatening to cancel the entire concert. Filled with the crackling one-liners and frantic farce that made Lend Me a Tenor a huge hit, A Comedy of Tenors evokes the classic screwball comedies of an earlier time.
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SATURDAY — LA BOHEME
Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 South, times vary, through Oct, 15. Tickets $25–89, artsaltlake.org.
FRIDAY — A COMEDY OF TENORS
Pioneer Theatre, 300 S. 1400 East, UofU, times vary, through Nov. 4. Tickets $25–49, pioneertheatrecompany.org
UPCOMING EVENTS Nov. 4, ANI DIFRANCO, artsaltlake.org Nov. 24, KATY PERRY, smithstix.com Dec. 14, LADY GAGA, smithstix.com April 11–17, 2018, HAMILTON, artsaltlake.org
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The Great Wall of Travis BY TONY HOBDAY
Arguably
one of the most insightful, influential artists of the century … and I don’t use 100 years lightly … is the phenomenal 29-year-old choreographer/dancer/artistic director/limelighter Travis Wall. “After the Curtain” falls on Salt Lake City this October, and Wall hopes people will come to the show with “an open heart and open mind.” According to Wall, the two-hour, 12-character production, created by and featuring Wall, may have the audience asking, “why is he doing that?” The answer [by the second act] is “transcending,” Wall tells QSaltLake. “It’s a very dramatized fictional piece developed on personal, family and friends experiences.” “After The Curtain” is the second production from Shaping Sound, the eclectic dance company, following on the heels of the spellbinding “Dance Reimagined,” which toured North America for four years. “’Dance Reimagined’ was made up of individual songs by several artists, and the music was really all over the map,” Wall says. “Our new show is very different. It is all music created by Ryan Lott of Son Lux. I reached out to him last year about collaborating and I knew he had to create all of the music for this new show. We are using some already existing songs; plus, he is re-imagining a handful of them and adding new original music. Hearing why he wrote the songs helps us as dancers connect to each lyric. It has really changed the way I create as an artist; it’s helped me craft the storyline.” Conceived and choreographed by Wall, “After The Curtain” tells the story of a man fighting to find his creative voice after the death of his one true love. “It’s about mental illness, putting yourself in other’s shoes, death and ultimately an honest confession,” Wall says. Wall has been working since age 12 and received a 7th consecutive Emmy Award nomination for ‘Outstanding Choreography’ earlier this year for his groundbreak-
ing work on the popular FOX television show So You Think You Can Dance. He’s nominated for the routines ‘Send In The Clowns,’ ‘The Mirror’ and ‘She Used To Be Mine.’ On Sep. 10, the Creative Arts Emmys were handed out and Wall took another home ... but so did first-time winner Mandy Moore, in a tie in the voting. Wall was the Emmy winner in 2015. Wall has choreographed a number of music videos, stage and awards shows, television and film. When asked, Wall says his most memorable shoot was choreographing his first full-length music video of Carrie Underwood’s “Something in the Water,” (how apropo Salt Lakers) which won the CMT Video of the Year. “It was my first music video and it was October in Los Angeles, so it was cold,” Wall remembers. “And it was a 10- to 12hour shoot. It was really cold. But as we were waiting for the production people to get ready for the final take, we all got in the pool together. I was sitting next to Carrie, who was like three-months pregnant, and she started to sing. Her voice was so soft and I could feel her diaphragm in the the calm water as she sang, it was incredible.” Wall also had the privilege of working with former First Lady, Michelle Obama on her Let’s Move Campaign, an exercise and health wellness program, creating the GimmeFive routine that was performed on Ellen and at The White House. “After the Curtain” is produced and presented by MagicSpace Entertainment, and Sean Bayles, a representative of the company, tells QSaltLake: “We work close-
ly with the agent representing Shaping Sound and when she told us about the new tour, we felt it would be a great show for our Salt Lake City market. Not simply because it would play well to an LGBTQ audience but because it will play well to any audience that loves powerful works of art. In many ways the success of Shaping Sound or any great artist whether LGBTQ or not is a reflection of its relevance and meaning to the audience in attendance. While this new work will have particular meaning to the LGBTQ community it will have an equally powerful impact on the entire audience because these stories are meaningful to all of us. “MagicSpace Entertainment has been presenting in Salt Lake City since 1979. We have a long history presenting shows that play in stadiums, arenas, theaters and even club spaces from NSYNC at Rice Eccles many years ago to The Book of Mormon at the new Eccles Theater today. Coming up we have a number a great shows at the theater including Seu Jorge and the Life Aquatic, Hamilton — An American Musical and An American in Paris to name a few. We believe any of these shows are of interest to Q readers, not because they may be related to the LGBTQ community, but because we find Q readers to be smart, articulate and culturally aware people, which is exactly the demographic we hope to continue presenting our shows to.” Q “After The Curtain” performs Tuesday, Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m. at the Eccles Theater, 131 Main St. Tickets are on sale now at Live-at-the-Eccles.com, by phone at 801-355-ARTS and at the Eccles Theater Box Office (M–F 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sat. 10 a.m.–2 p.m.).
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Plan-B Theatre Company’s ‘The Ice Front’ brings artistic defiance to Salt Lake BY ERIC SAMUELSEN
Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 272 | OCTOBER 2017
Twenty-five
years ago, while doing research in Norway for my doctoral dissertation, I came upon the story that now has become the basis for my play, The Ice Front. It’s the story of the actors of the Norwegian National Theatre at the time of the German occupation of Norway during the Second World War, and their resistance to demands by Nazi cultural authorities that they perform in a ferociously anti-Semitic play. Their resistance began with feigned illnesses, invented excuses for vacations and acts of sabotage. Eventually, they burned down the theatre. Finally, when forced to perform at gunpoint, they acted badly — inaudible dialogue, confusing blocking, overt defiance in every acting choice. They were very nearly shot for it. But given a choice between an art that expressed their humanity, and art that savagely denied it, they ultimately risked their lives. Although my play is based on historical events, I did fictionalize the characters. I wanted to increase the sense of menace the characters faced. And so one of them became a Jewish actor, who has managed to hide his ethnicity from the Nazi authorities. But when writing about Nazism, and the atrocities of that unspeakable regime, I thought it necessary to honor the heroism and dangers faced by other Nazi victims. So I gave another character a connection to the rich and vital heritage of the Roma people; the people more widely known by the offensive and demeaning term ‘gypsies.’ And I chose to make a central character, Anders, gay. As I imagined him, I assumed that his fellow actors would know of his sexual orientation, and that most of them would know and be friends with his partner Jens. No less than today, the acting world of the ‘40s included many gay artists. Actors
have always kept each other’s secrets. I assumed as well that the arrest of Anders’ partner would be yet another pistol held to his head. I imagined an actor known by the public as a conventional romantic lead, but privately comfortable with his fellow artists and in his own skin. And then, without warning, he’s alone, in danger, negotiating a suddenly deadly terrain. The events of the 1930s and ’40s have taken on a new meaning today. My father, as a child, grew up in Norway during the Nazi occupation. He is appalled by what is happening today. His childhood was spent under Nazi tyranny. His father and his uncles fought for the Norwegian Resistance. He told me recently that he thought those days were over. He never once imagined that a political philosophy so repugnant and so despicable would again find root in his adopted homeland, and would even find defenders in the highest reaches of American government. Jewish rabbi and philosopher Emil Fackenheim once wrote of a 614th commandment, in addition to the 613 mitzvot of the Torah. “Hitler must never be allowed to win,” he wrote, suggesting that when Jews left their faith, it could be seen as a victory for the Holocaust. By the same token, any compromise in the fight for social justice could also be seen as a violation of the 614th commandment, as a victory for Hitler. Hitler’s viciousness, of course, included the persecution and murder of gays and lesbians. A commitment to LGBTQ rights must always be seen as part of the fight against Hitlerism. The Ice Front honors the people of the theatre while questioning what it means to be an artist, to be a patriot, to be human. Q The Ice Front runs Nov. 9–19 at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. Tickets and info at planbtheatre.org.
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Logan Pride’s 2nd fest a hit with the young ’uns! BY TONY HOBDAY
On Sat., Sept. 9, I and my three female roommates (you’d might think we are Millennials or sister wives, but we are not!) cattle prodded (Michelle was driving slowly is the point) to the beautiful city of Logan, Utah, home of the Aggies. Not only did we go to support the older sister of Jerrica’s coming out, but also to support the 2nd annual Logan Pride festival. The actual coming-out came to beautiful fruition several weeks earlier when Jerrica and her mother received a call from Big Sis, who revealed her true colors. Unbeknownst to Big Sis, their father was away on business at that time (Phew!). Her coming out was well-received by their mother, but when the subject came to their father’s possible reaction, the conversation took a turn (and I freely paraphrase here) as Jerrica proffered: “We could tell Dad that we moved to Colorado to be pot growers, then this news will be less shocking to him.” Happily (and maybe giddily) their
mom was totally on board. Anyhoo, we arrived at Logan Pride unbranded, but Jerrica and I were a little damp, as we would occasionally spittle on each other in the backseat along the way. Luckily Donna put us in rear-facing car seats so she and Michelle stayed bone dry. Nestled in a grove of trees in a cozy corner of Logan’s Willow Park roamed hundreds of folks (though less queer-clad than other Pride festivals). In fact, Petunia PapSmear was there in man-drag. He kept eyeing my french fries from Morty’s Cafe, a popular staple in Logan, and one of two food trucks at the festival. I wasn’t about to share with a stranger. It wasn’t until the “perils” of heaven above bitched-slapped me into submission, as does Petunia when she is on the Big Gay Fun Bus. Pfft! Logan Pride was one of the most sobering experiences I have had (literally, since there wasn’t a beer garden!). There were about 40 booths, including the Mama Dragons giving out hugs, the Ogden Pride organization giving out prizes including cardboard airplanes and deflated balloons -- if you played their PLINKO game -- and a mobile art truck, in which your artistic juices could flow. But no fruit bowls, please! I must point out that too, there were a number of volunteers onsite from the Utah
Patients Coalition, who seek to feed the flame for medical marijuana legalization in Utah. Jerrica and Big Sis were obviously high as kites by the group’s presence. The most impacting things I experienced at Logan Pride were gender fluidity and connections. While I was stunned by the number of children at a smallish Pride festival, including stroller age to younger teenagers donning agender, pansexual and rainbow flags
TOWER THEATRE 876 E 900 S
as capes, I couldn’t help but notice the excitement (yet, a sense of calmness and age-gap nondiscrimination among generations). I mean, please, I witnessed my 40-something friend wiggle through a tube on the playground at the request of a 5-year-old with Asperger’s she hardly knows. On a final note, I was fairly impressed by Logan Pride and send them kudos on a job well done. I look forward to many more years of their LGBTQ+ community celebration. Q
All proceeds benefit SLFS See www.slfs.org for the full schedule
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Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 272 | OCTOBER 2017
All-American Rejects frontman Tyson Ritter on ‘freeing’ experience as a crossdresser, ‘corrupt’ music biz and support for his lesbian sister BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI
Tyson Ritter
strips down to nothing for the All-American
Rejects’ new queer project. Fuzzy leopard-print top, blonde wig, fake eyelashes, low-cut skirt, stilettos — the frontman de-drags as he transforms from a prostitute, Betsy, to a seemingly married, suited-up man and life of the party, Robert. The 11-minute short film conceptualizes identity and authenticity through the complicated and ultimately haunting duality of a single person. “Sweat,” a swaggering glam-rocker, finds Betsy leaving her mark on the streets — and in a bathroom stall when things get hot and heavy with an androgynous hookup. But then, during the juxtaposing come-down “Close Your Eyes,” we discover, tragically, Robert’s “real” life comes at a price. As the alt-rockers mount a musical comeback with the twosong EP and a forthcoming album — their first since 2012’s Kids in the Street — Ritter, 33, opened up about his own femininity, being asexual for three years, his strong opinion on how “everybody’s selling celebrity” and being there for his lesbian sister when their family was not. Can you tell me about the concept of this short film and how you ended up using a crossdresser as your subject? Jamie Thraves is a brilliant British film director who we were lucky enough — he’s actually FaceTiming me right now. Hang on. (Laughs) We’ve become brothers over this, but he approached us with a simple one-line concept that just said, “I see Tyson playing a woman and I see him playing a man named Robert whose fantasy is playing that woman.” It
broadened beyond that through our correspondence because, of course, I had immediate questions for him about the story of Robert and the purpose of this film. Once we boiled it down, it was just this concept of identity and how people in all walks of life are never the same person in any room they walk into. I think Robert’s struggle to find himself was something that bled into my correspondence with Jamie, and we just started exploring all of our dark secrets together. It was really this cathartic thing to just talk about our lives and the regrets we’ve had and the compromising things we’ve done to become the person we were and are. How have you had to come to term with your own identity? Have you ever questioned your own sexuality? I absolutely have. I went through a really bad breakup when I was in my mid ’20s and I was asexual for almost three years, just living in New York by myself, totally stone sober and trying to find myself. I was raised by my mom and my grandma, and that femininity and that balance within myself of the masculine and feminine has always been a yin-yang. It’s pushing and pulling, always. And I embrace that energy because I think some of the strongest things about me are from what my mother and my Nannu gave me. I feel like most alt-rockers are comfortable exploring the gender spectrum. Iggy, man. I was covering my body in glitter in 2009 and everybody thought I was a lunatic. People forget about the spectacle of rock ’n’ roll being something that is fearless. To be a superhero in a band is something that takes all powers. And when you’re on the stage and giving yourself to thousands of people, you have to be this cartoon; it’s beautiful to embrace that in your own life. These tea dates, where you meet with fans and have tea, which I love, aren’t exactly the most masculine thing. Have you had any tea dates with anyone from the queer community? My tea dates have just started, so it’s been such a mixed bag of all walks of life. It’s incredible. People have been like, “Oh, you should journal about your tea time,” and I’m like, “No, this is precious to me and private.” A lot of people sell their time to their fans. Everybody is selling access now and I think that’s the fucking complete corruption of what’s going on with the music business. Everybody’s for sale in a completely different, fucked up way. Are you referring to certain mega pop stars who give themselves to their fans in charitable ways for the purpose of advertising their brand? I mean, I can’t even touch that, man. Everybody’s selling celebrity. And we’re a band that only sells music, and that was the most important part about this visual journey for this band. I grew up in front of the record button since
Q&A | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 35
OCTOBER 2017 | ISSUE 272 | Qsaltlake.com
I was 16 — how much have you fucking changed since you were 16? It’s funny, people put these expectations on bands to sound the same, to stay in that little time capsule with their friends from high school and their dreams in their twin-size bed and it’s like, no, art has to grow up; the artist can grow up with you, man. And so that’s where we came at with this new offering of “Sweat”/“Close Your Eyes.” We’re coming back with purpose and I’m proud of that because, ultimately, I’m not trying to sell ad time on my Insta account. Everybody has to have access to you now and so it’s really kind of — I might be shooting myself in the foot because I’m not being this, you know, social whore that most people have to be to play in this crazy rat race of the music business. As someone who’s been acting for several years now, you may be aware of opposition to cis, white men acting as LGBT or queer. There’s been a lot of pushback regarding this. How conscious were you of that sentiment while developing the storyline for this video? I always knew that [Betsy] was a fantasy of Robert and it’s that suspension of disbelief that kept me grounded in the character. My wife helped me a lot. I just wanted to make sure that I grabbed onto all the femininity that I’m not afraid to show and put it into Betsy. I didn’t wanna approach the character half-assed at all, and as far as it being a risk to play that role, to me it was an escape and a surreal journey through a fantasy of Robert’s. At the heart of this story is a man named Robert who has a life and has a purpose, and I was serving him. So, I guess I didn’t feel like there was a compromise given that the character I was playing was the true heart of this journey. In what ways do you identify with Betsy when it comes to any overlapping femininity? I think that’s precious to me. I think if there is overlap, just top to bottom, it was the curation of getting her walk down. I would wake up almost every day and put on my heels and walk around my house for hours on end to find my gesticulations and where Betsy carries herself. I think it was some of [my] stage persona. There’s a crazy confidence to Betsy that I loved being able to embrace and Robert didn’t have that. Robert’s this guy who hides from himself, and I think being able
to embrace that was really a freeing thing. Honestly, it put me back in my own skin in a completely different way where even now on stage I’m finally feeling comfortable to embrace everything that I am. Growing up in Stillwater, Oklahoma, what was your introduction to the LGBT community? My sister. I was 10 years old when my baby sister was born and my parents had a complex, tumultuous Oklahoma divorce, and I was there to sort of raise her in a lot of ways. When I had to get on the road when I was 16, leaving her was … even talking about it, it kind of echoes a heartbreak for me. We kept our correspondence, and as she grew, I was on the road. When she was 15, she came out. Getting the family’s acceptance in Oklahoma at 15 — I mean, probably one of the most difficult things I’ve had to help her survive. She helped me survive getting through just being an artist, too, because my parents haven’t always supported me. So we were holding each other’s hand as she got to 18, and now she’s engaged to be married. But I kind of saw a lot of [the LGBT community] through her eyes. There are few things harder than not being accepted for who you are, but it sounds like you had each other to lean on. We did. At Christmases we were holding each other in the corner. We were the two weirdos, but at least we had each other. What does she think of “Sweat”/“Close Your Eyes”? She loves it. She was so proud of me. I was really nervous. I was like, “I hope you love it and I hope you think I did good.” And she called me and she still has that Southern voice: “Aw, man, ‘Sweat’ is so good. You did so good, bubba.” There’s an album in the works. What can the gay community look forward to? This music is gonna be out, man. This isn’t gonna be an All-American Rejects record. This is a record that is gonna feature a lot of evolution. People are either gonna be grabbing onto it or they’re gonna be letting go, and I welcome both. You’ve given the LGBT community many
encouraging songs over the years, including “Move Along.” Can we expect more along those lines? I realize that, in these divisive times, there is so much hate and division. The thing that breaks my heart right now in the world is just how divided we are. Even my parents didn’t go through this shit. I think it’s pouring out of me right now, so the things that I see and feel in the world are the things that I’m gonna be writing about. There are gonna be
songs for people who just want to sing out as an escape, but this isn’t gonna be empathetic pandering — rock ’n’ roll is the escape, man, and I feel like we’ve lost that sentiment with celebrity. People are forgetting about the music. When you come to a Rejects show, it’s non-denominational; it’s a congregation of people who are there to let go of the outside world. The greatest thing that we can do as a people is gather without any sort of ill-will, especially nowadays. So, the beautiful thing about this next Rejects record? It’s gonna be something that sets people free. That’s what it’s doing for me, man. Q As editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBT wire service, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. Reach him via chris-azzopardi.com and on Twitter (@chrisazzopardi).
36 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | FOOD & DRINK
Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 272 | OCTOBER 2017
food & drink
Study: Fast food and alcohol make you gay This just in, folks: Eating too much fast food and not getting enough sleep at night
can turn you gay. At least according to a bizarre new study by someone named Rita
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Strakosha, who claims to hold an MPS in Clinical Psychology from Albanian University. The study, titled Modern Diet and Stress cause Homosexuality: A hypothesis and a potential therapy, was published on Strakosha’s WordPress page and claims that homosexuality is caused by a person’s diet, mainly fast food consumption. Strakosha says LGBTQ people report higher rates of “eating large amounts of high glycemic index foods and fat, or eating an imbalanced diet, leaning toward carbohydrates.” “Some studies show an increased rate of obesity among homosexuals,” she adds. “Gay men, lesbian and bisexual women report a higher odds of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption than straight men and women.” That’s right, folks. According to Strakosha, homosexuality is directly tied to fats, sugars, and alcohol. She also claims cutting these things out from your diet could “decrease and… prevent the return of homosexual attractions.” Strakosha recommends that people who want to “stay straight” must “steer clear of food that can be disruptive
right before sleep, like heavy or rich foods, fatty or fried meals, spicy dishes, citrus fruits and carbonated drinks.” For people who have turned gay but would like to become straight again, Strakosha recommends entering “sexual hibernation” through diet change to promote “stimulus extinction.” “Upon re-wakening of sexual interest, the response to the previous sexual stimuli will not restart at once and at the same level as previously,” Strakosha affirms. She continues: “Time would be needed to achieve the same level as before hibernation. Discontinuation of hibernation would be an opportune time for sexual orientation change.” One caveat, Strakosha says, is that “sexual hibernation” might not work for everyone. “Persons with a longer history of homosexual attractions and those with stronger prenatal or genetic factors would have more difficulty in achieving benefits from this therapy,” she says. We should probably note that Strakosha’s study is self-published and not peer-reviewed. Q
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COMICS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 39
40 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | BOOK REVIEW
It’s never too late. You can learn to swim
Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 272 | OCTOBER 2017
book review REVIEW BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER
The Gang’s All Queer: The Lives of Gay Gang Members BY VANESSA R. PANFIL C.2017, NEW YORK UNIVERSITY PRESS $28.00 U.S., 312 PAGES
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You felt surprisingly safe. There you were, in a place that was certainly iffy, but you were totally comfortable there. No danger, no darkness, no problems — and in the new book “The Gang’s All Queer” by Vanessa R. Panfil, no world you’ve ever seen before, either. Everybody knows that being a teen isn’t easy. Being a gay teen is even harder which, as a white lesbian woman, Panfil knew: her work in a Columbus, Ohio, LGBTQ center for young adults showed her realities beyond what she’d lived herself, and it sparked an interest in gang membership within the community. She already knew a handful of gay gang members; after she gained their trust, those men introduced her to a web of people who opened their world to her. When most people think of gangs, the image that comes to mind is one of tattoos and machismo. Panfil found some of the latter, but that was often used as cover for sexual identity; indeed, many (though far from all) of the men she interviewed kept closeted to their fellow gang members. Panfil says there are three distinct kinds of gangs: all-gay gangs, of which there aren’t many; heterosexual gangs, in which being gay could be dangerous; and more tolerant, easy-going “hybrid” gangs in which the mix of gay and straight could be up to half of each. Panfil points out that most of the men she interviewed were careful to stress that they were very masculine. She also says, despite that more than two out of three gay men
fought someone else over homophobic harassment, protection from such was not the main reason for joining a gang; the main reasons were for perceptions of “family,” or because of deep friendship. Furthermore, while there was a certain amount of crime — mostly petty theft, selling drugs and sex, although fierce violence was not unknown — many gay gangs offered encouragement, a more democratic atmosphere, job-seeking help, and educational support, thus acting more as “cliques” than gangs. Let’s start here: “The Gang’s All Queer” is a bit on the academic side, and probably not on anyone’s relax-in-a-hammock-and-read list. Having said that, it’s a very interesting take on a world that never makes the headlines. Not only did author Vanessa R. Panfil have access to a group of men who were willing to tell-all, she fully used that access to understand why a gay man would turn to a group that’s stereotypically anti-gay. This leads to a bigger picture, and larger questions of violence and closeting, as well as problems with being Black, gay, and gangster. Also, because her subjects so casually use a word that’s normally a slur, the comfortableness of such is examined, as are the issues of sex work. Readers — even those who might struggle with the college-thesis feel of this book — will ultimately come away with a better knowledge of a world they mightn’t have realized existed before. Certainly for scholars, but also for readers interested in LGBT cultures, “The Gang’s All Queer” is a pretty safe bet.
ADVICE | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 41
OCTOBER 2017 | ISSUE 272 | Qsaltlake.com
mr. manners
Because ya gotta have friends BY ROCK MAGEN
As is the
custom at QSaltLake, we tend to focus on our allies during the month of October. Personally, I am extremely grateful for the love, support and friendship shown to the LGBTQ community by our allies. When I think of allies, and people who have a true impact, there is one underlying feature which continually resurfaces. These people are all great friends. In our current society, many modern social problems continue to arise, and experts have begun to determine that the cause may be directly linked to ignoring the importance of friendship. Aristotle said, “In poverty and other misfortunes of life, true friends are a sure refuge. They keep the young out of mischief; they comfort and aid the old in their weakness, and they incite those in the prime of life to noble deeds.” Friendships are vital for wellbeing, but they take time to develop and can’t be artificially created. No wonder they are at risk of being neglected. The value of friendship is something that few people take time to really appreciate. When you need a friend, you realize just how important it is to have a strong relationship to another person. Everyone values friendships, but it’s especially important as members of the LGBTQ community. In our current political climate, we are constantly in need of others to help fight our cause. The allies who support us are
constant reminders that what we want is worth fighting for. Their voices comingled with ours help to ensure that we are heard. One value of friendship, which many find extremely important, is the companionship aspect of it. No one wants to be alone, and in many cases our friends are the ones who help us from doing “stupid” things. Another valuable aspect of friendship is that friends often provide helpful advice for one another. Often in life we have problems or situations in which we feel we cannot turn to our families, but rather, we need our friends. Having friends means not only that you will have someone to help you get through a situation that you need help with, but it also is an opportunity to get advice from your peers. No matter what the issue may be, having a friend to provide advice is a priceless asset. The allies we have are great friends. They provide us many of the traits I have listed above, but we must do our part as well. Being a friend is a two-way street. The quality of friendship is more important than quantity. So, ask yourself, are you returning the friendship which has been extended to our community? Are you someone who has meaningful connections beyond merely being surrounded by people? Thank you to our allies who are truly our friends. Behind each one of us is one of you helping to encourage us to press on. Together we can make a difference. Q
Politics Makes Strange Bedfellow ACROSS
50 Angelina Jolie’s ___ Interrupted 51 Greek philosophical type 53 Brit. word ref 55 Coral isle 56 What 20-Across said about 38-Across 61 Kind of hall 62 Shakespeare’s foot 63 Promised to be wife and wife, e.g. 66 Sheltered, at sea 67 Caesar’s “See!” 68 Remove a slip, perhaps 69 Kristy McNichol sitcom Empty ___ 70 Enjoy E. Lynn Harris 71 Like pinker meat
1 Scout promises to be “morally straight” 6 Samoan investigator Margaret 10 Frat hazing sounds 14 Solid gold measure 15 Trucker’s shaft 16 Sex Dr. 17 Oily rock 18 Simba’s Broadway love 19 Start to climax 20 Russian strange bedfellow 23 Colette’s Mrs. DOWN 25 Mamma ___! 1 Brief endorsements 26 Not straight up 2 Postcoital sigh 27 Outed, for example, 3 Walked with the ball, with “on” to Sue Wicks 29 Boas for drag queens, 4 Michael of _Six Feet e.g. Under_ 33 Curve shape 5 Put a head on cap34 Didn’t go straight puccino 36 It may slip over one’s 6 Song from Flashdance head 7 Doctors make you 38 American strange strip for it bedfellow 8 “___ want is a room 41 Rap sheet item somewhere...” 42 Contents of a good 9 What you may call head your life partner 45 It bit Cleopatra 10 Rocket guy Wernher 48 Behind with the von ___ bucks
11 Em, e.g. 12 Top floors 13 Stands out 21 Feeling of contempt 22 Old ___ (Book of Practical Cats name) 23 Where you might see R.E.M. 24 Brother of Curly and Shemp 28 Go down 30 Corydon author Gide 31 “Poppycock!” 32 A Room with a View author 35 Opera tenor Caruso 37 On-line ‘zine 39 Airport in Israel 40 Intense competition at Barneys 43 Sung syllable 44 Like a cunning linguist 45 Disney lyricist Howard 46 Remington ___ 47 Groups of manhunters 49 Moved up and down 52 Atlas blow-up 54 Louganis, for one 57 Opera house level 58 Defensive spray 59 Hit with hand motions 60 Nickelodeon explorer 64 Tongue ending 65 Augsburg article
42 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | MARKETPLACE
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Each Sudoku puzzle has a unique solution which can be reached logically without guessing. Enter digits 1 through 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit, as must each column and each 3x3 square. Qdoku
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BY SAM KELLEY-MILLS
CANCER June 21–July 22 Get used to having your way when things are going well, but don’t lose a sense of objectivity. A hard time is always possible, and leading astray is a real possibility if consideration for the absurd is lost. Have a wild time and get your head clear and in the right place. Only then will the outside stimuli become null and void.
ARIES March 20–April 19 A respectful understanding attitude toward a partner or lover is harder to adopt than you realize. Aggravation is creating a pessimistic feeling and the effects could be long standing. Fall back from sources of pain. Embrace pleasure in the purest form. You will do right by someone you care about, and receive love in return. TAURUS Apr 20–May 20 A need to be recognized is important. Now is a strange time when obvious contributions are going unnoticed by those who matter. Take time to understand where your friends are coming from, and make sure you aren’t being taken for granted. Nothing keeps you down if you realize that it’s not always about you. GEMINI May 21–June 20 Running away from a problem will make it worse. Find creative solutions and everything will turn out for the best. Inspiration will flow from meeting with a good friend or lover. The longer you wait to take action, the worse the overall results could be. Get it over
LEO July 23–August 22 Don’t let your voice go unheard. But don’t be so loud that you can’t hear others. A workplace conflict can be avoided if fairness in communication can be followed. Obtain something valuable and don’t let it go until it is no longer useful. Life is all about gaining and giving up. Find balance, and validation will always follow. VIRGO August 23–Sep. 22 A vision of beauty has become the standard for potential lovers, but don’t let it hold you back from seeing others on their own terms. Don’t lose the human element of a personal relationship, but instead realize that not all difficulties are challenges, but simply different perceptions. Expand your mind and let it go of preconceptions.
LIBRA Sept 23–October 22 There is plenty of room at the table for extra guests, so welcome those who shows respect and courtesy. Not everyone is worth your time, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t worth to be found. Keep learning as much as you can about the people you know, and find a sense of place that has been recently absent. Life is complex.
CAPRICORN Dec 21–Jan 19 A crucial element in life is your sanity. There is a lot of distractions driving you crazy these days, so don’t let them become prominent. A family matter is dramatic as always, so hold on to your privacy from those who don’t have your best interests at heart. Keep hidden from danger and simply be alone for a while. Life will go on.
SCORPIO Oct. 23–Nov. 21 The quality of a new toy will amaze you beyond belief. Don’t worry if others are jealous, but don’t share with those who are simply looking to take advantage. There is no need to look too deep into a personal situation that has been causing a rift in your belief system. Instead, prioritize and focus on the things you enjoy now.
AQUARIUS Jan. 20–Feb. 18 The closer you get to the truth of a matter at work, the better you’ll feel about the daily grind. There is a time and place for gossip, or so you are led to believe. In reality, choices are to be made over whether you should say something to a trusted friend, or simply keep a secret. Information is power, and discretion is vital.
SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22–December 20. Be wise and advise a friend who is looking for comfort. The consequence for turning away could be dire, so be the friend you know you can be. There is a question in your heart regarding the future of a personal relationship with a family member. Keep interactions light and unity will become a defining trait in all you do.
PISCES Feb 19–Mar 19 Get to work on a story that contains your inner desires. The need to be understood doesn’t matter, but certainly helps when dealing with others. Don’t stray far from home during this time, but get a messy living situation in order. Rewards are to be found by clearing the air after a conflict. No one should cling to hate, especially you. Q
SEPT. 2017 | ISSUE 272 | Qsaltlake.com
Pet of the Month
Off-Leash Dog Parks
NEWS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 45
magazine qsaltlake.com
MEMORY GROVE OFF LEASH ➋ AREA AT FREEDOM TRAIL COTTONWOOD PARK ➏ ➑ 1580 W 300 N
PIONEER PARK ➏
375 N CANYON RD
➎ LINDSEY GARDENS DOG PARK 9TH AVE AND M STREET
380 S 300 W
JORDAN DOG PARK ➏ 1060 S 900 W
➌ HERMAN FRANKS PARK 750 E 1300 S
PARLEY’S NATURE PRESERVE ➊ (TANNER PARK) 2740 S 2700 E
MILLRACE OFF-LEASH DOG PARK ➐ 1200 W 5400 S
WEST JORDAN OFF-LEASH ➍ DOG PARK
TYPICAL DOG PARK RULES • Current license and rabies tag • Human companions clean up waste • Damage to landscape prohibited • Aggressive dogs prohibited • No chasing or harassing wildlife • Swimming in authorized areas only • Dogs under 4 months prohibited • Dogs off leash in posted areas only
5982 W NEW BINGHAM HWY
ROY CITY DOG PARK 5700 S 3260 W, ROY
OGDEN CITY DOG PARK 2450 SOUTH A ST, OGDEN
SOUTH OGDEN DOG PARK
4150 SOUTH PALMER DR, OGDEN
JC SNOW DOG PARK
Jazzy 10-year-old female Medium hair tortoiseshell Hi there! My name is Jazzy and I am a very affectionate girl looking for a dedicated and loving forever home. I’m happiest when when I’m with you and I would do best in a home where there is usually someone around to spend time with me. Sometimes I can get a little anxious when I am home alone for too long, I will just miss you too much! I LOVE to cuddle and I do okay with other cats but I like to be the one in charge! Come meet me and see if I would be a good addition to your family! For more information, go to Best Friends Animal Society–Utah, 2005 S 1100 East, or call 801-574-2454 or go to bestfriendsutah.org
900 S 400 E, ST GEORGE
SPONSORED BY:
➍ SANDY DOG PARK 9980 S 300 E
46 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | QMMUNITY
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 HOMELESS SVCS
Volunteers of America Homeless Youth Resource Ctr, ages 15–21 880 S 400 W 801-364-0744 Transition Homes: Young Men’s 801-433-1713 Young Women’s 801-359-5545
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 SOCIAL
1 to 5 Club (bisexual) fb.me/ 1to5ClubUtah
JUST DO IT
Alternative Garden Club bit.ly/altgarden * altgardenclub@gmail.com
Utah Bears utahbears.com fb.me/ utahbears info@utahbears.com Weds 6pm Raw Bean Coffee, 611 W Temple
blackBOARD Men’s Kink/Sex/BDSM education, 1st, 3rd Mondays blackbootsslc.org
Utah Male Naturists umen.org info@umen.org
blackBOOTS Kink/BDSM Men’s leather/kink/ fetish/BDSM meets 4th Saturdays blackbootsslc.org
Utah Pride Center utahpridecenter.org thecenter@ utahpridecenter.org 255 E 400 S 801-539-8800
Gay Writes writing group, DiverseCity 6:30 pm Mondays Community Writing Ctr, 210 E 400 S Ste 8
SPORTS
Pride Community Softball League prideleague.com pcsl@prideleague.com
Get Outside Utah bit.ly/GetOutsideUtah Men Who Move menwhomove.org
Q Kickball League qkickball.com Sundays, 10:30, 11:30, Sunnyside Park
OUTreach Utah outreachutah.org Ogden, 3350 Harrison, 2nd, 4th Weds, 4-6pm Logan, 596 E 900 N — Fri, 4:30-7:30pm
QUAC — Queer Utah Aquatic Club quacquac.org questions@ quacquac.org
qVinum Wine Tasting qvinum.com
Salt Lake Goodtime Bowling League bit.ly/slgoodtime
Rainbow Classic Car Don R. Austin 801-485-9225
Stonewall Shooting Sports of Utah fb.me/stonewall. sportsofutah
Sage Utah fb.me/sageutah sageutah@ utahpridecenter.org 801-557-9203
Venture Out Utah fb.me/groups/ Venture.OUT.Utah
Temple Squares Square Dance Club templesquares.org Weekly dances every other Thurs 7p at UPC 801-449-1293
YOUTH/COLLEGE
Gay-Straight Alliance Network gsanetwork.org
PUZZLE SOLUTIONS
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1 8 2 7 6 4 9 5 3 8 6 4 9 5 7 3 1 2
Utah’s Inclusive Aquatic Club since 1995 BEGINNERS WELCOME EVERYONE’S INVITED
4 1 3 2 5 9 7 6 8
UMEN.ORG
7 9 5 6 8 3 2 1 4
NAKED
6 3 7 1 2 4 9 8 5
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
YWCA of Salt Lake ywca.org/saltlakecity 322 E 300 S 801-537-8600
LEGAL
Rainbow Law Free Clinic 2nd Thurs 6–7:30pm Utah Pride Center. 255 East and 400 South in Salt Lake City.
2 4 9 5 3 8 1 7 6
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
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233
5 8 1 9 6 7 4 2 3
Qmmunity Groups
Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 272 | OCTOBER 2017
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
HOME & GARDEN | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 47
OCTOBER 2017 | ISSUE 272 | Qsaltlake.com
‘Stop the car!’ Fall is time for planting BY DEAN ANESI THE URBAN GARDEN CO.
After
a record-breaking heat wave this summer, it’s time to start planting again. Fall is the time of year when we push the proverbial restart button and design our garden failures into success stories for next spring. Success and failure in a garden are relative terms, but two of the most frequent complaints that we hear from our clients are: The front of my home looks weedy. My home doesn’t have curb appeal. If you can relate to these problems, don’t despair. Landscapes are a work in progress and can be improved with thoughtful editing. When selecting new plant materials, treat perennials and smaller shrubs like they are tenants and you are the landlord. These organic tenants are only paying rent when they are beautiful, and otherwise they are freeloaders. Most freeloaders should not be allowed to live in the prime real estate of our front entry gardens; they should be subjugated to less visible areas. Some plants that only pay rent for a short time are garden musthaves and can still be placed in the front, but in less prominent locations such as behind a tree, bush or rock, so that they are not impacting the look of the landscape when they go dormant. These plants include bleeding hearts, peonies, poppies and other beautiful perennials that have a short bloom time. If your garden looks weedy but there are few actual weeds, you are a candidate for editing. A weedy look is often the result of using too many plants with similar characteristics, such as height, leaf color, leaf shape and growth habit (shape). The front landscape should have dynamic colors, textures and sizes that fit the scale and architecture of your home. Keep the best tenants and replace the others, possibly by moving them to a new, less prominent home. For instance, if there are two small, spherical bushes, plant a larger scale plant behind them, using a variety that has a contrasting growth habit, size and leaf shape. Then add another layer by planting a smaller perennial in
front of the shrubs, something which has all-season interest and contrasts with the existing shrubs and the new larger shrub. Add a low-growing ground cover in front of this whole grouping, and by mixing these elements you will create an allure. If your house is missing curb appeal, remember that the human eye is drawn to color. Paint your front door with a strong color that suits your esthetic and complements your home. Don’t use a color that matches the shutters or trim, as that will draw the eye away from the front door. Plant large groups of the same variety of plant, so that each block of color and texture is legible from the street. Avoid planting a collection garden with a lot of different plants and colors, which creates a look of chaos and indecisiveness. Mixed colors look like confetti, and nobody says confetti is their favorite color. Editing a garden doesn’t mean reducing the overall number of plants. The trick is to limit our plant palette, reducing the number of varieties and restricting our choices to plants that are
BEFORE
good tenants. Plant in large blocks that are visible from the street and draw the viewer’s eye to the front door. We don’t want someone to drive by your landscape and say “That’s nice.” Nice is a four letter word. We want them to scream “Stop the car!” Follow these suggestions and you can have a garden that stops traffic. Q Dean Anesi is the founder of The Urban Garden Company and can be found at urbangardencompany.com
48 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | HEALTH
positive thoughts
Why this trans guy stopped taking daily PrEP for HIV prevention BY JD DAVIDS
I’m not
stopping PrEP because my skin turned blue. That was an embarrassing mistake in the first few days of trying it. Don’t tell anyone, though, or they’ll find out that I’m the kind of guy who buys a black flannel shirt and wears it for a few days without washing it, not realizing it’s going to seep dye onto any exposed areas and causing me to make panicky calls to bemused, sympathetic friends and globally-noted HIV researchers alike. And it’s not because I got an itchyburny rash on my neck and face after my very first pill. I get a lot of side effects and know they are usually transient. But just to be sure, I waited till I could see an allergist. He agreed that it was not a dangerous reaction, so with my primary care provid-er’s blessing I took a half-pill daily, along with an over-the-counter allergy med, for 10 days be-fore retrying the whole pill. And it’s certainly not because anything has come out in the last year and half that I’ve been on it that has me questioning its efficacy. To the contrary, around the world there’s been only three outlier cases of people acquiring HIV despite daily PrEP use: two people who encountered rela-tively rare resistant strains, and one person who had a rather high number of partners and an unu-sual configuration of HIV antibodies when he tested positive — and all are doing really well on treatment, at last report. I’ve been following PrEP research for, wow, decades now, back when a potential compound was still being studied in animals for protective activity while researchers speculated that the protec-tive effects of treating pregnant people with HIV to lower transmission rates to babies could maybe work for sex as well. I’d cried when the results came out from that study of birth parents and babies in 1993, and I cried again when I heard the trial results in 2010 confirming PrEP was a
home run. But I didn’t consider myself as a PrEP candidate until a few years ago, when a partner was taking the next steps in his own gender transition and feeling more confident in making moves on cis men. As I stepped into the role of authoritative HIV geek explaining how PrEP might help him feel more comfortable as a bottom, I found myself thinking, “Well, damn, that does sound pretty good,” and realized I wanted in on it myself. So I did, and became one of growing numbers of people who found PrEP to be good for more than just HIV prevention, as it helped me grow into my understanding and embodiment of my gender, my desire and my identity. But in my current configuration of relationships and adventure (including reborn appreciation for “female” condoms and deep delight that HIV undetectable equals untransmittable (U=U)), I’m not putting this PrEP to much use these days. Dr. Bob Grant, who knows as much about PrEP as anyone (in addition to being a hell of a nice guy who was, um, kind to me when I called him when I turned blue), likes to talk about PrEP as a tool for those of us in “seasons of risk”: Taking antiretrovirals for PrEP is different from taking them for HIV treatment, in signif-icant ways. Treatment for HIV is something people need to start early and stick with long term. PrEP is different. People go through “seasons of risk,” periods of their lives when they are at risk for acquiring HIV, and PrEP is appropriate for those times. In periods when they have negotiated safety with a partner or they’re just not having much sex, they may find they don’t need PrEP. It’s actually appropriate that some people stop PrEP, be-cause they’re in a different phase of their life and they no longer need it. I’ve found myself taking PrEP for weeks or months without having any real risk of HIV, so clearly it seemed seasons have changed. I take lots of meds and sup-
Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 272 | OCTOBER 2017
plements for three autoim-mune diseases and related chronic pain and fatigue — so I’m good with having one less pill and two less drugs in the mix. Plus, it now looks like it will be easier than previously thought for me to get up to protective lev-els if I want to get back on. Here’s the deal: Current guidelines in the U.S. advise waiting for seven days of daily PrEP dosing to be fully covered for receptive anal sex; though four days per week may be sufficient, it may be that daily dosing can ensure the best shot at ongoing adherence and full coverage. But I’m trans, and for me (though not for all transmasculine people, of course) that means I’ve got another active area that needs coverage. As Roger Pebody reports on our site, “the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to say that people need 20 days of daily TDF/FTC before they can consider themselves protected from vaginal HIV exposure — but the World Health Organization has stated that just seven days of the drug is enough.” I’m going with WHO for this one, at least for myself. That feels like a feasible strategy for me, as far as jumping back on PrEP a week before a trip or otherwise anticipated opportunity for good times. All along, I’ve been at relatively low risk for HIV infection. But as someone who has been in the thick of HIV stuff for most of my life at this point, it felt incredible — and in some ways, neces-sary — to be at virtually zero HIV risk to fully open up to my desires and live into this phase of my life. There’s a lot out there right now to help people get onto PrEP in the United States, no matter what the reason for their season. There’s tools for providers and patients and growing options like telemedicine or online ordering for those in remote locales or challenging circumstances. If you think you don’t have HIV and you think you might want to give it a whirl, go for it. But if you find yourself turning blue, head to the laundromat first. Q JD Davids is the director of partnerships and a senior editor at TheBody.com and TheBody-PRO.com. This column is a project of Plus, Positively Aware, POZ, The Body and Q Syndicate, and QSaltLake Magazine.
FOOD | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 49
OCTOBER 2017 | ISSUE 272 | Qsaltlake.com
Salt Lake’s food scene is now meh BY JOSHUA JONES + STEVE FINAU
Just a
few years ago, we wrote a cover story for another magazine about the food renaissance happening in Salt Lake. Lately, we have been reconsidering that thesis. It was an ambitious and exciting time for our little burg. Ryan Lowder, Viet Pham and the like were creating a food scene that captured national attention. The New York Times and Food + Wine wrote stories soaked in superlatives and hyperbole that intrigued our palates to the point of exciting our nether regions. We love food and we adore this city. That what it was becoming—not just a food town, but also, a culturally critical culinary community— was truly exciting. However, something happened. Like the high school quarterback everyone thought would be the next president, but turns out to be another peon like the rest of us, Salt Lake’s creative inclination has not continued that coaster-like curve. Bowman and Pham’s James Beard-nominated Forage is gone, Fresca—once considered the best restaurant in Salt Lake was sold. And the replacements for those restaurants have been solidly meh to dreary. Even more dismal are the new restaurants opening with the omnipresent Edison bulb, perfectly placed succulent, and equally stagnant service. Some of these places have most definitely spent more time on the paper, graphic design, and binding of the menu than the actual cuisine encased!
Bars too are copying and pasting themselves from one location to another—not because they have the same owner, but (we believe) because they have little imagination. One new joint on Main Street just photocopied itself into a space next door more efficiently and quickly than an Applebees! (How we’ll miss that lamb with meddling and meandering service at the Atlantic). The infancy of this bitter exasperation spawned from the fifth serving of sauerkraut severely sauced with Sriracha. My face must have been akin to Where’s Waldo: that aghast face wondering, “Why are you still buying these banal books?!” Garlic sauce with sauerkraut has been a staple in Asia for hundreds of years, it was gentrified in New York by David Chang, and is now available in a jar at WalMart. Oh, and it is one of the easiest dishes in the world to make. So please, folks, don’t think that a restaurant behind a 7-11 in Salt Lake upended the food world. The sauerkraut snafu led to a similar moment when we both began to wonder if it were time to mothball the concept that SLC was ready to be the torchbearer for taste. Go back to around 2000 when The Garage on Beck opened. They offered fried funeral potatoes; it was a fun, beer-soaking-up idiosyncratic creation based on local food culture. Marsha and Bob’s invention was as unique as it was caloric, and they deserved the accolades from press they received. Soon, it became a repeat
felon. It showed up all over town, although in different iterations. The snapping point for us was going to a new ‘gourmet’ burger place and ordering a $7.00 side of funeral potatoes. When they arrived they resembled two mini brown Fruit Roll-Ups. Little more than nearly burnt hash brown discs that were actually closer to potato latkes than funeral potatoes. A lot of these places have done so much right on the front of the house, it’s unfathomable to me when they forget the product is not a Dale Chihuly Chandelier or the bonded leather bar stool. That ambiance and esthetic doesn’t hurt of course, but if you’re going to spend the money and time on the perfect lighting design, then please consider how to make the plates you’re serving just as stunning! For
WHITE
BLACK
STRAIGHT
29
god sakes, if you are going to serve oysters, make sure the shucker knows how to wash the sand out of them! THINK, for a moment, how all that talk the PR person is doing about organic, sustainable, and locally sourced actually measures up to the food stuff in the walk in! It is not all lemons and lobster sticks. The open kitchen at Fireside is wonderful, and the entrees (as mentioned in Q two months ago) are exquisite. Manoli’s on 9th has a glorious octopus in a beautiful space. Moreover, Viet Pham promises to return next month with a tiny place on Regent. However, it won’t be a multiple course menu filled with whimsical dishes from the edges of haute cuisine. But, we will wait patiently for the much-hyped… fried chicken. Q
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YOU
50 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | SPORTS
Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 272 | OCTOBER 2017
the outfield
The first question Kaig Lightner was asked after coming out as trans BY DAN WOOG
As it does
with so many youngsters, sports saved Kaig Lightner. Soccer, basketball, volleyball, softball — all gave him a place to be himself. On the fields, courts and diamonds of suburban Seattle, Lightner found a sense of purpose. He gained confidence. He learned skills. And he let out frustration and anger. Lightner faced more than the usual growing-up pains. At age 8 — when Lightner’s parents “forced” him into a Peppermint Patty softball program, and he discovered a passion — he was a she. Redmond was an affluent, very white neighborhood, Lightner recalls. There was little diversity — certainly none of the sexuality kind. “I was a sporty, athletic, masculine-type girl. So I was labeled a tomboy,” Lightner says. That was OK at first. But in junior and senior high school, teasing and bullying ran rampant. “I was constantly asked, ‘Are you a boy or a girl?’” he says. At first, he replied, “I’m a girl!” Or he did not answer. But in fifth grade, he became obstinate. “What do you think?” he retorted. “I knew internally I was a boy,” Lightner says. “But I was too scared to say it out loud.” By the end of high school, the politics of soccer — his primary sport — turned him off. He did not play anything his first year at the University of Washington. But he felt a void in his life. He met a member of the school’s women’s rowing team in class, and decided to give the new sport a go. He had no idea the Huskies were the top team in the country.
Tryouts for the women’s program were open — and grueling. Anyone who made it through three months was on the team. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” Lightner says. “I was four or five inches shorter than anyone else.” But the “immense feeling of flying on the water with eight other people” hooked him. After graduating in 2003 with a degree in philosophy, Lightner looked for a job in his first love: soccer coaching. He could not find full-time work, however. He was adrift. Two years later he moved to Portland. It was a new city; he knew no one. “I could be anybody,” he says. He used male pronouns. But when he was offered a coaching position with a competitive club, he reverted to female pronouns — and his birth name. Being two different people, in his personal and professional lives, proved daunting. Two years later — at age 27 — Lightner realized he needed to transition. He began taking testosterone, and left the club. In 2012 — with the process well underway — Lightner found a way to meld his love for soccer with his desire to affect change by offering underserved youngsters a chance to enjoy the same athletic opportunities he’d had as a kid. He founded Portland Community FC. No one is turned away for lack of funds. The club grew to eight teams, ages 5 to 17. PCFC fields boys and girls squads, though gender does not matter: There’s an open acceptance policy for LGBTQ players, coaches, staff and families. So while it is not surprising that Lightner is open about his status as a trans
man, it was still international news when he came out to his players. That’s because his announcement — after training, in a drizzle — was taped on his cellphone, and posted on Facebook. Lightner had thought for a while about saying something publicly. The timing never seemed right. Yet after meeting Eric Lueshen — a former University of Nebraska football player, and the co-founder of LGBT SportSafe — at a conference in Washington, D.C., Lightner knew the time was right. It was a low-key talk. Matter-of-factly he said, “We ask a lot of you guys to show up and be yourselves, (but) I haven’t totally shared with you something about myself that’s important.… I am transgender. What that means is … I was born a girl and I grew up playing soccer as a girl. And that’s not something I share with players or people in the sports world very often because it’s not an easy thing.” He reminded his players that many of them probably heard comments about their own skin color, “or the way you talk or the country your parents are from. That’s really similar to how I got treated as a kid, too.” Lightner’s video got picked up by media outlets around the world. But — in vivid testimony to how far young people have come in their acceptance of trans issues — many news stories focused not on Lightner’s coming out, but on the first question he got. “How old are you?” one boy asked. Kaig Lightner is 36. Q Dan Woog is a journalist, educator, soccer coach and gay activist. His latest book is “We Kick Balls: True Stories from the Youth Soccer Wars.” He can be reached care of this publication or at OutField@qsyndicate.com.
PHOTO: GERARD UNGERMAN / RESPECTFUL REVOLUTION
gay writes
Laws of Physics Bent BY BOB BORGOGNO
I live
in a life full of contradictions, which hasn’t bothered me until recently. Middle-aged me has noticed them. The deliciousness of tasting all the pleasures and joys that I have throughout my life has left me fat and empty. As I was washing my face this morning, I was startled and a little surprised at the me that was looking at me in the mirror. Fat … Empty … and Old was looking at me! Why! I screamed in my mind. Why must I go through the agony of living into oldness? I only planned to live until 30, and not a day older! Statistics lie! The laws of physics can and do get bent. By “God” perhaps? More likely it’s just a fraudulent law, like most are. “It’s fucking not cool,” I said out loud. Then I noticed the color in my eyes. I hadn’t noticed that in a long time. I didn’t recognize my own eyes! They were strange and new. I think I even saw a light sparkle. Then I noticed that my hair didn’t look like its usual unruly crap. My skin looked slightly browned. The sun had started to blend my freckled tone into a smooth tan, like it did in my younger days. What is that? I thought. My heartbeat became noticeable. I got a little jolt of adrenaline. Aside from the wrinkles at the corners of my mouth (I blame sucking on cigarettes), I looked good — not old or raggedy as I had been for like three years now. Has physics bent for me, again? I wondered. Then I decided I didn’t care why I was looking better. Just whatever it is, please keep bending the middle-aged me back to my happy gluttonous self so I can continue my quest for deliciousness! Q
Gay Writes is a DiverseCity Series writing group, a program of SLCC’s Community Writing Center. The group meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month, 6:30-8 p.m., 210 E. 400 South, Ste. 8, Salt Lake.
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OCTOBER 2017 | ISSUE 272 | Qsaltlake.com
52 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | FRIVOLIST
Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 272 | OCTOBER 2017
the frivolist
Prove how jacked you are (even if you don’t look like it)
at these 6 fitness challenges BY MIKEY ROX
Summer
bod will be hard to maintain as the sun sets on these final few dog days and the brisk breeze of autumn ushers in a serious craving for carbs. But you can keep the extra pounds at bay outside of beach season by participating in fitness and adventure events galore. From breaking a sweat in bouncy houses to pushing your limits through treacherous terrain, here are seven events widely available across the country to keep you in top shape — or at least at a steady weight so you can stuff your face all fall and winter long.
of edible, nontoxic powders; they’re not trying to poison you) as you run 3.1 miles through a course that this year includes a Dream Wall that allows runners to paint their aspirations, photo ops with giant unicorns, a colored Foam Zone and a Finish Festival with music and post-race sustenance. Runs are held from February to November, with Salt Lake’s on October 14 at the Utah State Fairpark.
2 Vacation Races
Breathtaking views and the pursuit of healthy living converge in Vacation Races, which hosts 5Ks, half-marathons, Trailfests (multi-day, 50-plus-mile adventures) and Ultras (featuring 100K, marathon and half-marathon options), set in the most majestic places in the United States, like Yellowstone and Yosemite national parks, the Shenandoah Mountains, Mount Rushmore and Joshua Tree, among a dozen-plus other spectacular, getaway-worthy landmarks and historical locations.
Questival 3 Cotopaxi Adventure Race
1 The Color Run
Billed as the “Happiest Event on the Planet” — and arguably the one with the gayest sensibility — The Color Run 5K douses white-clad participants head to toe in a rainbow of colors (in the form
Grab a group of two to six of your closest friends and set off on a journey of adventure, exploration and a lifetime of memories during this 24-hour scavenger hunt-meets-outdoor discovery excursion that sets you on a beat-the-clock list of challenges that traverse the terrain, from urban jungle to mysterious forests to the splashy shores of our expansive coast lines. The best part is, you don’t know what
you’re in for until you get there.
4 Warrior Dash
Elite athletes and first-timers alike will find the strength to conquer Warrior Dash’s 12 world-class obstacles, including scaling walls, crawling through muddy trenches and jumping over fire, in this test of endurance that rewards finishers with medals and a post-race party with beer, music and a few thousand other crusty Dashers to mingle with.
5 Tough Mudder
If you’ve checked the popular 5K races and courses off your weekend-warrior bucket list, graduating to the Tough Mudder is the next logical progression in your total fitness-event domination. Here, you’ll work your way through 10 miles of mud (tie those shoes tight!), completing challenges that include scaling a 15-foot wall, scrambling up a slippery slope, and — nip-
ple alert! — plunging into a dumpster packed with 10 tons of ice.
6 Rugged Maniac
Consider wearing disposable clothing to the coveredin-sludge Rugged Maniac 5K and Obstacle Course, which boasts more than 25 physical challenges like gymnastic rings above a muddy moat, army crawls beneath barbed wire and underground tunnels over a three-mile course. When you’ve passed the finish line, clean up at available showers and join the party featuring food and bevs, a live DJ, mechanical bulls, and pie-eating and stein-holding contests. Host cities include Denver, Atlanta, Chicago, New York City and Los Angeles, among 20-plus other areas in the United States and Canada. 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 lives with his dog Jaxon. Connect with him on Twitter @mikeyrox.
OCTOBER 2017 | ISSUE 272 | Qsaltlake.com
My True Colors Shining Through BY KESHA
My new
album is called Rainbow and it’s not a coincidence that rainbows are also a symbol of LGBTQ pride. Color for the past couple of years has been symbolic of hope for me. For me, rainbows are a sign of freedom to be yourself and celebrate who you are no matter what anyone else thinks. I have always felt like an outsider and have felt that I need to justify who I am and why I am how I am, and I feel like, unfortunately, that is a pretty common occurrence for people within the LGBTQ community as well. The LGBTQ community has always been an important part of my life and has always influenced my art, and I feel like it’s as evident as ever on this album. With the song “Hymn” in particular, I wrote many of those lyrics as I was recalling times I had gone into the streets to march for equali-
ty. Lines like, “Go and read about us in the news…. After all we’ve been through, no we won’t stand and salute…. If we die before we wake, who we are is no mistake, this is just the way we are made,” were written specifically about the idea of fighting for equality. I personally will never stop fighting for equality for all humans and specifically for the LGBTQ community because I know what it feels like to be bullied for just being yourself, and I know that so many in the LGBTQ community have it so much worse than I could ever imagine. That’s why I have rainbows painted all over my body and my house and everything else, because rainbows inspire so much joy and hope and light and happiness; and I hope the LGBTQ community identifies with my album Rainbow, because it was made for you. Q
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54 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | FINAL WORD
Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 272 | OCTOBER 2017
the perils of petunia pap smear A tale of another one rides the Big Gay Fun Bus BY PETUNIA PAP SMEAR
The road
to Wendover is fraught with danger
and excitement. The first Big Gay Fun Bus to Wendover of the season is quickly approaching on Oct. 21. Do you have your ticket yet? I’m so excited for the 2017–18 season to begin. As many of you know, for the past several years I help co-host the event. I have had so much fun doing this over the years and I really look forward to it every time. Bingo on the bus and Third Friday Bingo have always been a sideline for me. I’ve always worked a real job that pays a salary, and then in my spare time work on the bingo for charity fundraising activities. But after my auto accident two years ago, I was no longer able to physically perform my job of delivering machine parts in the western United States. Suddenly I found myself with no source of income, so I thought to myself, Petunia, you enjoy co-hosting the Big Gay Fun Bus, why not get a job where you can get paid actual money for doing the same thing. So I got a job as a bingo host on the fun buses for “Muggles” that go to Wendover five times a day. It was apparent from the very beginning that these buses of Muggles would be very different than The Big Gay Fun Bus that I am used to. First of all, English is not the first language for at least 75 percent of the riders. The median age looks to be about 70. And the cargo hold is typically filled with walkers, canes and
7pm, October 20, Nov. 17 First Baptist Church, 777 S 1300 E fb.me/matronsofmayhem
wheel chairs. So, one time I found myself in Wendover at 4 a.m. trying to herd a bunch of drunk, foreign-speaking, handicapped Muggles onto a bus. Once on board, I began with all my usual jokes and stories which, due to language, culture and age barriers, went over like a loud fart in the Celestial Room of the Temple. One particular Friday, as the bus was loading in Salt Lake, the air conditioning was not working and the Muggles were getting restless. Now, I know that queens don’t sweat, but by God, on a bus in 100 degree heat with 54 grouchy international senior citizens all nagging me (I’m sure that at least one of them put a curse on me), I was streaming buckets. Thank goodness my princess training taught me to carry a large purse in which luckily I have my personal necklace fan. It saved my life. When we reached the weigh station just east of Wendover, the UDOT officers signaled that the bus needed to be inspected. So we finished driving into Wendover and unloaded the passengers at the casino, and then the bus driver took the bus back to the weigh station for inspection. Meanwhile, at the casino, I was approached by David, a very handsome 30-something guy who spoke in a British accent. Few things make me weaker in the knees than a stud with a British accent. It didn’t help matters that he was wearing a tank top and short shorts, and had all the right muscles in all the right places. David explained to me that he was walking across the United States to promote and earn money for Prince Harry’s Invictus Games, for wounded war veterans. He explained that it had taken him 17 days to cross Nevada, due to the heat, and that many people had warned him not to hike across the Salt Flats or he would end up as buzzard bait. He then asked if he could buy a ticket to ride the bus to Salt Lake. Smitten, I immediately answered yes. I would’ve thrown a Chinese grandma off the bus to make room for him if necessary.
Dispatch called me and informed me that the bus did not pass inspection, and was waiting for a repair team from Salt Lake to come out and fix the problem. They were also going to send a separate rescue bus to pick up the passengers and return us to Salt Lake. The only problem was that the passengers had left their personal items on the other bus. So, it was arranged that the rescue bus, after loading the passengers would stop at the weigh station, and the drivers and I would collect the personal possessions. The process took about 20 minutes to sort through all the stuff. Just as we were about to depart, the rescue bus stopped running. SHIT! I was not in the mood. What would British Dave think of us Utah hicks. Just then, the repair team from the first bus had finished the repairs. So we transferred the passengers back to the initial bus. I made sure British Dave sat toward the front of the bus. Most of the trip back, for British Dave’s benefit, I kept up a tour guide’s monologue about Lake Bonneville, the Salt Flats, the Great Salt Lake, the Donner Party and how pretty British Dave’s biceps were. After all the frustrations of the day, I decided if I was going to continue working the Muggle buses I would end up not enjoying the Big Gay Fun Bus anymore, so I turned in my notice and that was my final Muggle bus trip. This story leaves us with several important questions: 1) Without income to buy Aqua Net, how long could I maintain my beehive hair? 2) If there was a real emergency and the bus needed to be evacuated, how many of Muggles would die? 3) Should I have become conversational in Russian, Chinese and Spanish? 4) Should I have asked British Dave to have Elizabeth invite me to high tea at the palace? These and other eternal questions shall be answered in future chapters of The Perils of Petunia Pap Smear. Q
OCTOBER 2017 | ISSUE 272 | Qsaltlake.com
NEWS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 55
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