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news The top national and world news since last issue you should know BY CRAIG OGAN
Fauci, an HIV/AIDS hero These days it doesn’t take much to get teary-eyed after three whiskies during a Zoom cocktail party, so when the CDC’s Dr. Anthony Fauci referred to his efforts in the 1980s and 90s to find therapies and fight the stigma of HIV/ AIDS, turned on the water works. In the White House daily briefing on the Covid-19 problems he said, “As some of you know, a greater portion of my career has been defined by HIV/AIDS.” During that time, there was extraordinary stigma, particularly against the gay community and it was only when the world realized how the gay community responded to this outbreak with incredible courage and dignity and strength and activism, I think that really changed some of the stigma against the gay community.” At 79-years old he is still in the fight and still a hero.
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NYC tent hospital, holier than thou A group called Samaritan’s Purse put up a hospital tent in NYC’s Central Park to help while brick and mortar hospitals dealt with Coronavirus patients. Samaritan’s Purse is sponsored by the Billy Graham Ministries, run by evangelist Franklin Graham, son of the late Billy. To work at the tent, medical personnel are required to be “Christian” and adhere to the Ministry’s “statement of faith” defining marriage as “exclusively the union of one genetic male and one genetic female”. Graham defends the requirement for volunteers adhere to an anti-LGBT pledge. Says Graham, “We have a long list of things we want people to understand and agree with before we take them to work with us.” Listing the use of drugs and alcohol, swearing, or someone who is “trying to pick up girls” as well as belief in marriage inequality as being on the list. “So, we try to screen the people that work with us,” he said. “And we want men and women who believe the way we do and have the same core values that we have.”
‘Young Man’ go to U.S. Library of Congress “Y.M.C.A.,” the 1978 gay disco anthem by the Village People, has been inducted into the U.S. Library of Congress National Recording Registry. The library says of the song, “Now, over 40 years since it hit the streets and the dance floors, ‘Y.M.C.A.,’ their biggest hit, is an American cultural phenomenon — people from all walks of life do the ‘Y.M.C.A.’ dance at weddings, Bar Mitzvahs or sporting events. It is as likely to be heard at a Midwestern prom as it is at New York City’s annual Gay Pride parade.”
Broken Record
Gay men blood ban eased
Ramzon Kadyrov, the leader of the southern Russian republic of Chechnya behind the systematic detention, torture, and killing of gay men, has called for people with Covid-19 who don’t self-quarantine and spread the disease to be killed. Business Insider reports: “The threat was immediately taken as credible in Russian media circles because of Kadyrov’s long history of crushing political dissent, and allegedly murdering people who displease him since he took near-total control.”
A drop in the nation’s blood supply triggered by the coronavirus outbreak prompted a change in government restrictions on blood donations from gay men and other groups. The FDA policy for men who have sex with men and the women who have sex with them required no sexual contacts for one year. It now requires just three months of chastity. The policy is the same for people receiving tattoos and piercings within the last three months.
Virginia offers LGBT protections Virginia becomes the first state of the old Confederacy to have a law specifically protecting sexual orientation and gender identity from discrimination. The Virginia Values Act passed by the state legislature earlier this year, adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the state’s current civil rights laws.
Mayor Pete’s beard, still news Photoshopped images showing a bearded Pete Buttigieg surfaced during the campaign inspiring calls of “Mayor Woof” for president. With his state’s stay-at-home order in response to the coronavirus crisis former-Mayor Pete grew the real thing. He said during an Instagram Live broadcast, “Obviously, I’ve taken advantage of the simple fact of not having to shave every day,” Buttigieg added. “We’ll see if that [the beard] lasts. I’m valuing the chance to be at home, the chance to spend time with Chasten.” His other beard, Amy Klobushar, is still in the running for vice president, as the putative candidate for Pres says he’ll choose a woman for his VP candidate.
Good news in the time of coronavirus The non-profit, non-partisan Public Religion Research Institute has been surveying public opinion on gay and lesbian issues since 2011. In 2019 the term LGBT was used in place of “Gay & Lesbian” and reports increasing and broad support for LGBT equality across the United States. 72% of respondents, including majorities of both political parties, religious groups, and nearly every major demographic group — favor laws that would protect LGBT people against discrimination in jobs, public accommodations, and housing. Support for marriage equality continues to grow with 62% support in 2019, versus 53% in 2015. Q
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LDS Church hires PR firm to push Rep. Stewarts’ ‘Fairness for All Act’ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has hired APCO Worldwide, a global public affairs and strategic communications consultancy, to advocate on behalf of the “Fairness for All Act” introduced by Utah Republican Congressman Chris Stewart. Stewart views the bill as a measure to harmonize religious freedom and LGBTQ rights. If passed, it would amend the Civil Rights Act to protect religious freedom in the workplace and the rights of LGBT people while preserving First Amendment rights, according to Stewart. The Mormon Church supports the Act because it endorses a “balanced approach that promotes greater fairness for all” by supporting religious freedom and protecting LGBT people from discrimination. The ACLU takes a different point of view. “The bill facilitates the Trump’s administration’s ongoing efforts to give a green light to those who would turn
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LGBTQ people away from jobs, healthcare, housing, even taxpayer-funded programs, simply because of who they are,” Ian Thompson of the ACLU’s DC office, said in a statement. By singling out LGBTQ people for lesser protection under the Civil Rights Act, it signals they are less worthy of protection, according to Thompson. “It does this by providing religious organizations and services providers with the ability to discriminate based on sexual orientation and gender identity where they are explicitly prohibited under current federal law from discriminating based on other protected characteristics,” he said APCO has former Congressmen Don Bonker (DWA) and Cliff Stearns (R-FL) working the bill. The church used APCO in 2008 to distance itself from the FLDS polygamous group during the 2008 raid on the FLDS’ Yearning for Zion Ranch in Texas. Q
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Logan Pride’s Crista Sorenson dies after suffering a stroke BY MICHAEL AARON
Crista Sorenson was known to most in Logan, Utah’s LGBT community as the driving force behind Logan Pride and the Logan Pride Center. She died Wednesday, April 1, a week after a massive stroke at the age of 44. During her week in the hospital, family and friends were not allowed to visit because of restrictions due to the coronavirus. The family, however, was able to see her the day she died. Sorenson was one of three original directors of the Logan Pride Foundation, which hosts the Logan Pride Festival and just this year opened the Logan Pride Center directly across the street from the Logan Tabernacle. “The stars really aligned for this to all come together,” Sorenson told the press during the January opening of the Center. “This is a phenomenal house. It is a welcoming, inclusive place where we can all interact.” Sorenson helped Logan Pride grow tremendously over the past four years. “It is important to be involved and help PHOTO BY JESSE WALKER PHOTOGRAPHY
make my community into what I want it to be,” Sorenson said during the open house. “For a good while, Crista WAS Logan Pride,” Logan Pride President Christa Nova Cannell said. “She was a workhorse who relentlessly supported and advocated for Cache Valley’s queer communities. She brought together a vast number of LGBTQ folx and allies during her service on the Logan Pride board.” More than that, Cannell said, Sorenson was a friend. “She met everyone at their level, with kindness and compassion and openness,” Cannell said. “As a community, we’ve lost a leader and a friend, and that makes the tragedy hit twice as hard.” “Crista was an impossible-to-miss energy. She was boisterous and jovial, and every room she walked into got a little bit easier to exist in,” Cannell continued. “She literally sparkled. That sparkle was something that drew us in and made us all feel like we belonged.” “A few days a week, I would sneak across campus to the USU Inclusion
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Center just to drink coffee next to her,” Cannell said. “She brought me into the world of queer community organizing, and empowered me to get real things done for my community.” Sorenson’s family agrees. “Crista used her ‘stick it to the man’ mentality to enact real change within the community she loved and cherished as her home,” Crista’s daughter Kathryn Sorenson wrote on Facebook. “Everyone she met she respected and unconditionally loved. She was the most accepting, encouraging, and warm individual this world will ever know.” Sorenson was born and raised in American Fork, Utah, and moved to Logan to attend Utah State University. She was passionate about conservation, community gardening, and helping others. She helped manage the Cache Valley Gardener’s Market as well as the Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection that works with refugees from Burma, Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, and Somalia who ended up settling in the area almost a decade ago. “Beyond all of the many things she was involved in outside of the home, she loved to garden, cook, and take care of her children,” husband Cory Wilkinson told the Herald Journal. “She was a true joy to be around.” “My mom is the most genuine, caring, and the strongest woman I’ve ever known,” daughter Betty Brown posted on Facebook. “My mother had the biggest heart and only wished for kindness and love for everyone, even if they may not ‘deserve’ it. Mom spent her life helping others and spreading positivity to everyone who needed it. Of course, my mom had flaws, and she decided to put everyone before her and heal others without being able to heal herself.” “I remember when I first meet Crista Sorenson, it was the day we formally formed The Pride Coalition of Utah. Her spirit and strength will always be something I aspire to as a leader and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community,” said Harrison Spendlove. “She was never apologetic for being true to herself and for being an outspoken, direct, and unwavering voice for what was right.” “Crista Sorenson knew and truly understood what it meant when we say love is love,” wrote Adam Spencer-Aguillon. “A rainbow never dies, it just keeps shining on in different ways with its rays.” Q
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ISSUE 311 | Qsaltlake.com
SL man charged with rape, sexual assault of woman to ‘fix the gay’ Salt Lake City police arrested a man after a woman accused him of raping and sexually assaulting her after saying he would “fix the gay.” The woman, who told police she is a lesbian, said she was visiting 34-year-old Adam Quinn Atwood and his wife in their Glendale home on Sunday, and that the pair was intoxicated when she arrived. The wife went to bed, leaving the victim and Atwood alone, according to police.
Adam Quinn Atwood
The victim told police that once the wife went to bed, Atwood began sitting “closer and closer” to her, and she told him she was leaving and walked outside to her car around midnight. Atwood convinced her to walk to a nearby 7-Eleven with him to buy beer. After the two returned to the house, the victim said Atwood pulled her shirt up and began caressing and grabbing her inappropriately. She said she asked him to stop, to which Atwood allegedly said, “No.” “He then asked her if she was sure she didn’t like it and if she was sure she was gay,”
court records show. The woman readjusted her clothing, collected her belongings, and tried to leave when Atwood reportedly grabbed her by the back of the neck. He pulled her back inside and threw her down some stairs to his basement, she said. The woman said she reminded Atwood of his wife and children sleeping upstairs and that she was a lesbian. Atwood told her he was “going to fix the gay,” police say. Court documents say Atwood then sexually assaulted and raped the woman, picked her up, threw her against a wall, and again choked her from behind. The victim said she escaped by twisting Atwood’s genitals and running out of the building. She made it to the car and locked the doors as Atwood allegedly chased her. As she sped away, she said Atwood yelled that she better not tell anyone. The woman drove home and told a roommate what happened. She later contacted police, who say they found evidence to back her story. Police say while Atwood was being arrested he told them, “I didn’t rape anyone” and then asked for a lawyer. Atwood was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Wednesday and charged with at least four first-degree felonies of object rape, forcible sodomy, and aggravated sexual assault; and two second-degree felonies of kidnapping and forcible sexual abuse. He is being held on a $750,000 bond. Police say it is up to prosecutors to determine if hate crime charges will be added. Q
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Idaho governor signs two anti-transgender bills Idaho Governor Brad Little, on the eve of the international Transgender Day of Visibility, signed two anti-transgender bills into law: one barring changes to the gender marker on a birth certificate, and House bill 500, the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” that bans male-to-females transgender athletes from participating in sports in the state. The birth certificate law ignores a 2018 federal court ruling that barring transgender people from making the birth certificate changes violated the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution. “The ACLU of Idaho condemns Gov. Brad Little’s decision to sign discriminatory, unconstitutional, and deeply hurtful anti-transgender bills into law. Leaders from the business, faith, medical, education, and athletics communities will not forget this decision or what it says about the governor’s priorities during a global pandemic. The ACLU will see the governor in court,” the legal organization
said in a statement. Idaho became the first state in the country to bar transgender girls from participating in girls’ and women’s sports and to encode into law the practice of requiring girls and women to undergo sex testing in order to compete. Gender testing could include genital exams, genetic testing, and hormone testing. Furthermore, Intersex athletes, individuals born with a range of sex characteristics would also be subject to added scrutiny. “If there was a situation such as that, that person’s doctor would no doubt already be familiar and already be in a position to solve and indicate if the DNA was not a female,” Rep. Barbara Ehardt, the sponsor of the bill, told the New York Times. She called such a hypothetical situation a “rare, rare, rare case.” The Human Rights Campaign weighed-in, stating, “Idaho is now a national innovator in discrimination, hav-
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ing passed and signed into law first-of-itskind anti-transgender legislation. It also becomes the first state in the country this year to enact legislation that specifically singles out the transgender community for discriminatory treatment.” National media outlets, such as CNN, had reported on the state of Idaho’s enactment of “some of the nation’s most anti-transgender measures,” according to the Idaho Statesman. Two years ago the apparent bipartisan state of Idaho struck down, with the aid of Lambda Legal, a strong-arm of LGBTQ rights, a proposed policy of categorically barring transgender people from changing their birth certificates. “If the government wants to enforce this new law, which sets out to do exactly what the federal court held to be unconstitutional on July 1, then Idaho will need to ask the court to dissolve the injunction,” Lambda Legal attorney Kara Ingelhart told the Idaho Statesman. “It’s exceptionally unlikely that the court would grant that request.” Governor Little’s actions drew praise from socially conservative groups calling the legislation fair and necessary. “I am so happy that female athletes in Idaho will not have to face an unfair playing field as I have in Connecticut,” said high school track athlete Chelsea Mitchell in a statement. Mitchell and other female athletes and their mothers filed a lawsuit to challenge Connecticut’s policy of allowing transgender females to compete in girls’ sports. “We need separate sports categories based on biological sex in order to fairly compete. Idaho has now set the example for other states to follow,” Mitchell said in a statement released by Alliance Defending Freedom, which filed the lawsuit on her behalf. Q
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Groups call on Utah congressional delegation to urge FDA to change blood donation guidelines A coalition of organizations throughout Utah is calling on Utah’s Congressional delegation to urge the Food and Drug Administration to implement policies that allow members of the LGBTQ community to give blood. A wide-ranging group of organizations, from civic groups to LGBTQ organizations, released an open letter to Utah’s congressional delegation asking for their support in eliminating decades old practices that the groups call discriminatory. Turner C. Bitton, president of the Utah Center for Civic Improvement released the following statement on behalf of the groups: “During a time of national crisis when the medical system and blood banks are facing critical shortages, every Utahn should have the opportunity to exercise their civic duty to give blood. The FDA’s guidance, while recently improved, is still discriminatory and acts as a barrier to LGBTQ Utahns trying to fulfil their civic duty.” “The coronavirus crisis is leaving a lasting and damaging impact on the nation’s blood supply. Blood drives throughout the country have been canceled, resulting in a decrease of roughly 130,000 donations,” the letter stated. “Utahns are known for our
generosity and volunteerism iiand yet, as recently as January of this year, the Red Cross of Utah was facing a ‘critical blood shortage.’ A multitude of federal, state, and local officials, including Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams and Dr. Brett Giroir, Assistant Secretary for Health at the Department of Health and Human Services, have publicly encouraged people to donate blood.” “The FDA’s antiquated policy is not based on current science, stigmatizes the LGBTQ community, and undermines crucial efforts to increase the nation’s blood supply as the United States grapples with COVID-19,” the letter continued. The groups join a chorus of national leaders and organizations who have called for an end to the discriminatory policies. The group is distributing the letter to each member of Utah’s Congressional delegation by mail due to social distancing guidelines. “Utahns across the state, including many members of the LGBTQ community, stand ready to rise to the challenges of the coronavirus crisis. It will take leadership from Congress, in partnership with the President, to allow them to do their civic duty to save lives through blood donation,” the letter finished. Q
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Utah Pride Festival postponed to September The Utah Pride Center announced that the annual Utah Pride Festival, normally held the first week of June, has been postponed to September. “In an effort to keep everyone safe and allow the tens of thousands of people who enjoy the annual event to attend, the 2020 Utah Pride Festival is being moved to the end of September,” leaders said in a statement. “The Pride Days theme for 2020 is ‘Love On, Live On’ — our hope is that we can all focus on this message as we move through these uncertain times with optimism for better days to come.” “The 2020 Utah Pride Festival, presented by Mark Miller Subaru and Young Automotive Subaru, and the Utah Pride Parade, presented by Intermountain Healthcare and SelectHealth, and all of the related Pride Days events have been postponed due to imminent mass-gathering restrictions related to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. This decision was made based on Governor Gary Herbert’s ‘Utah Leads Together Plan’ and in consultation with our local public health sector,” the statement continues. The new dates for the Utah Pride Festival and Parade are September 26–27, 2020. As usual, the March and Rally, OUTdoors and Proud 5K, and the Festival Opening Ceremony will happen on Saturday. The Pride Parade and final day of the Festival in Washington Square will occur on Sunday. “With all the uncertainty and stress we’re all feeling due to this pandemic, let’s have Pride last all summer long, culminating with the biggest turn out we’ve ever seen at the Pride Festival in September. I think we could all use more love and Pride this year,” said Rob Moolman, executive director of the Utah Pride Center. Organizers are moving forward with volunteer applications and registration to be vendors and parade participants. They
have extended the deadlines. “Parade applications have been extended to May 1st and early-bird pricing for vendor booths has been extended to April 17th for the first 50 finalized booths,” the statement reads. Vendors and parade entrants who have already registered will have the option to participate on the new dates or receive a refund minus any application fees. For more details on these options, are available on the Utah Pride Center website. “As always, we continue to offer support to our LGBTQ+ Community and
allies at the Utah Pride Center. We will continue to monitor and follow any public health directives and update accordingly. In the meantime, we look forward optimistically to celebrating with you in September,” the leaders continued. “Even as we have temporarily closed the doors of our building, we are responding to the needs of many of the most vulnerable individuals in our communities. For an update on our current operations, including virtual programming and mental health services visit https://www.utahpridecenter.org” Q
Utah Arts Festival cancels 2020 event Calling it a postponement, the Utah Arts Festival will not take place in late June of this year due to “safety concerns and uncertainty related to COVID-19.” “After careful deliberation over the past month, the Utah Arts Festival has decided to postpone the 2020 Festival until June 2021,” leaders wrote in a statement. “The staff has been carefully monitoring local and national guidelines and recommendations for large-gatherings over the last couple of weeks. Taking into consideration the health and safety of the community, artists and all those involved with putting on the Festival, a decision was made to postpone the event until June 2021.” Rescheduling the festival was simply not an option, leaders say. “Delaying the Festival until the late summer or early fall isn’t as easy as it might seem. There are many moving parts, many people and many factors to consider. The option was evaluated thoroughly, but ultimately uncertainty about availability of artists, vendors, partners and volunteers, as well as the developing situation with the COVID-19 pandemic raised more concerns than solutions. For
that reason, we believe it is in the best interest of all involved to postpone the event to 2021,” Lisa Sewell, executive director of the Utah Arts Festival said In the coming weeks, the staff will be working with their artistic coordinators to identify opportunities that will allow the Utah Arts Festival to maintain its connection with the community and continue to support and promote art and artists as well as their other non-profit partners. Although the Utah Arts Festival will not have a physical Festival in 2020, they aim to keep the festival vibes alive. An announcement will made shortly relating to those future plans. The Utah Arts Festival is in its 44th year and features over 170 visual artists, more than 100 performing arts groups, and brings over 70,000 participants each June to celebrate artistic expression in the heart of Salt Lake City. The Festival includes top world, national and local musicians and performers and program slates in literary arts, visual arts, kids’ activities, dance performances, musical commissions, street theater, art & technology, urban arts, film and culinary arts. Q
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Utah AIDS Foundation temporarily closes office, starts remote case management The Utah AIDS Foundation has closed its offices due to the Coronavirus, suspending testing and moving case management and eligibility interviews to being done remotely online or by phone. “We want to assure you that we take the health and well-being of our community, clients, and staff very seriously. Like you, we’re closely monitoring the quickly developing effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic,” leaders wrote in a statement. “To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, we have been practicing social distancing. We have temporarily closed our office to protect and care for
those who work with us, our clients, and the public.” “We miss seeing you in our office, but we’re still open online during normal business hours & beyond. You can also find us on our social channels to keep updated, the statement continued.” Service updates and direct contacts: Test Site — Suspended until further notice. Case management — Ongoing remotely Mon–Fri, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eligibility — Ongoing remotely Mon– Fri, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Food Bank — Existing Food Bank
clients, pickup from your car is available each Friday from 4–6 p.m. Updated phone numbers Teighlor Kodel (Case Manager) teighlor@utahaids.org (801) 573-5267 Ryan Gibbs (Case Manager) ryan@utahaids.org (385) 602-2783 Beth Layton (Benefit Specialist) beth@utahaids.org (385) 229-6865 Perla Rodriguez (Benefit Specialist) perla@utahaids.org (385) 602-2782 General questions or concerns can be emailed to mail@utahaids.org or visit their website at utahaids.org. Q
Utah Pride Center asks you to knit a square for a close-knit community For those seeking a way to participate in a community project from home, the Utah Pride Center suggests knitting a square. “Our community has come together in the most amazing ways through this Covid crisis,” wrote Deb Hall in the Utah Pride Center Lobby Facebook group. “Many online opportunities have been created, new and inventive ways to stay connected have been brought forth and people are supporting each other even without the ability to be physically together.” “When this crisis is over, we want a reminder of how we worked together, took care of each other and how connected we stayed during this unprecedented time,” Hal continued. “We would like to have folks knit 8˝x 8˝ squares with the instructions below. Hang on to the squares and when this is over, you can either bring or mail your squares to the Pride Center. We will have them connected and put the quilt on display to commemorate the strength of our community.” Hall says the quilt will be a permanent reminder of just how “close knit” our community is, how we work to keep each other safe and warm and how we wrap each other in a blanket of love, no matter what. Instructions are here: https://knit-asquare.com/basic-square-knitting-pattern-instructions/ Q
Tan France speaks with Sen. Kitchen and Councilwoman Ghorbani about mask fashion, finding ‘pockets of joy’ Queer Eye’s Tan France joined a video conference with Utah State Sen. Derek Kitchen and Salt Lake County Councilwoman Shireen Ghorbani for a light-hearted, yet poignant take on today’s health issue. Kitchen and Ghorbani joked about be-
ing fashionable with face masks. France, on the other hand, gave tips and implored people to wear masks when around people and to practice social distancing. He also asked for people with the means to donate to local charities. Q
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Things to do during lockdown that connect you or benefit the Utah LGBTQ community Being forced to stay at home is a whole different thing than choosing to stay at home, isn’t it? Here are some things that you can do to either connect you with your community or even benefit your community in a much better way than powering through Tiger King.
QUAC Savers FunDrive What better time to do Spring cleaning and help a local nonprofit raise money at the same time? Gather up your unwanted clothing and donate to help QUAC raise their goal amount of $3,000. QUAC (Queer Utah Aquatic Club) is an all-inclusive swim team and water polo club located in Salt Lake City with over 60 members. They also provide an Adult Learn To Swim Program thru the US Master Organization’s Swimming Saves Lives program. Funds generated will provide financial assistance to swimmers unable to afford monthly team fees and buying new pool equipment needed for training & teaching. More information is available at fundrive.savers.com/e/ quacspringcleaningfundraiser.
Donate money to the Utah AIDS Foundation Food Bank “As a volunteer I feel it’s extremely important that the food bank at UAF continues to provide food for their clients during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are among some of the most vulnerable due to our compromised immune systems. Many of us are on a social security disability income, others may have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Those who are working may have difficulty paying the copays for their HIV meds. Regardless of their situation, the Food Bank has always been there to help ease some of the financial difficulty by providing food. As a volunteer helping in the making of the food bags, I know UAF has taken every safety precaution to keep me and the clients safe. I’m thankful that I can continue helping through this pandemic so others can continue to have food.” —Mike Right now, all financial donations are being matched. You can donate by going to the UAF website and by Venmo at @ UTAHAIDS using description “Food Bank.”
Join an LGBTQ senior chat session The LGBTQ seniors group, SAGE Utah of the Utah Pride Center, comes together in a daily virtual meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. You can join via computer or just by phone. Each day has a topic, which can be found on the group’s Facebook page. The link and phone number are below. To join by computer, join through Google Hangouts at meet.google.com/ ard-nhrq-uha . To join by phone, dial 1-302-492-7553 and use pin 994 180 975# If you would like to present a class or host a discussion, please email debhall@ utahpridecenter.org.
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information, and details about upcoming community events.
Get your queer story out, hosted by the Bi+ group 1 to 5 Club The 1 to 5 Club’s very own Shauna Brock is here taking down individual stories from the Queer community on Monday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m. Oral histories are a fantastic way to pass down our experiences and stories to future generations. Come and share yours, you never know the positive impact it may have on others later on! To join the video meeting, click this link: meet.google.com/zfa-aamo-ajx or join by phone at 1-406-616-2456 and enter this PIN: 369 183 176# More information can be found at the Facebook event page.
Read a book about LGBTQ Utah
Complete your Census LGBTQ people are disproportionately more likely to use programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and public housing. When you fill out the Census, that determines local funding for such programs. Make sure you are counted in the Census by visiting 2020census.gov. It seriously only takes a few minutes.
Join the Utah Pride Center Lobby group The Utah Pride Center unites, empowers and celebrates Utah’s diverse LGBTQ+ community by providing a safe and welcoming space for education, partnerships, services and events which advance our collective health, wellness and success. The Utah Pride Center Lobby Facebook Group serves as an online space where members of our community can come together. The group fosters an environment to support, educate, and reach out to members of Utah’s LGBTQ+ community. Utah Pride Center staff facilitate and moderate the private group, and within it provides resources, educational
Equality Utah put out a list of books about LGBTQ Utah. Check out: Real Queer America by Samantha Allen LGBT Salt Lake by J Seth Anderson Saving Alex by Alex Cooper and Joanna Brooks Gay Rights and the Mormon Church by Greg Prince Mama’s Boy by Dustin Lance Black If one of these books strikes your curiosity, please consider supporting our local independent booksellers. Visit The King’s English Bookshop, Weller Book Works or Ken Sanders Rare Books online to see if they have or can order your copy. “These books and stories remind us that despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles, time and again, our community rises above adversity,” wrote Equality Utah leaders.
Help out the bar staff of your favorite watering holes As with all service employees, the people who make our nights great at our local LGBTQ bars are out of work during this quarantine. You can help by donating what you might have given them if you’d been out last weekend. Sun Trapp fundraiser. Club Try-Angles virtual tip jar.
Know of other ideas? If you know of other ideas to put on this article, please email editor@qsaltlake. com Q
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Prides come together to organize online ‘Global Pride’ amid COVID-19 cancellations Pride organizations around the world have come together to organize a ‘Global Pride’ event on Saturday, 27 June, 2020, in response to the hundreds of Pride celebrations that have been cancelled or postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Global Pride will use online platforms to deliver a Pride in which everyone can participate, wherever they are in the world. It will include musical performances, speeches, and key messages from human rights activists. The event will be live-streamed, and people will be invited to join in the event from home. InterPride and the European Pride Organisers Association — the world’s biggest international Pride networks — are working with national organizations in Canada, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, and regional networks in southern Africa, Asia, Oceania, and Latin America, to bring communities and Pride organizations together for this Global Pride event. “We need community and connection more than ever,” said J. Andrew Baker, co-president of Interpride. “This gives us an opportunity to both connect and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community’s resilience in the face of this pandemic and the true spirit of Pride.” “Pride 2020 represents a milestone for Pride events, with many honoring the 50th anniversary of their first gatherings and marches, such as New York to the first Gandhinagar Pride this year and we would not let that pass without recognition and celebration,” continued Baker. Kristine Garina, president of the European Pride Organisers Association and chair of Baltic Pride in Riga, Latvia, said: “The unprecedented challenges of COVID-19 mean that most Prides will not take place as planned in 2020, but we’re determined that this won’t stop us from coming together as a united, strong LGBTQIA+ community to celebrate who we are and what we stand for.” “Global Pride will show the LGBTQIA+ movement for the very best it can be, showing solidarity at a time when
so many of us are mourning and strength when so many of us are feeling isolated and lonely. Above all, we will show our resilience and determination that Pride will be back bigger and stronger than ever before,” Garina said. “For millions of people around the globe, Pride is their one opportunity each year to come together and feel a part of a community, to feel loved, connected and to know they aren’t alone. It’s essential this year that as Pride organizers, we ensure there is still the opportunity to connect, even if we are connecting from home,” Garina concluded. “Annual Pride events in the United States engage and unite 20 million people who gather to celebrate the strength and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community and to raise awareness for social justice and equal rights of all individuals,” said Ron deHarte, co-president of the United States Association of Prides. “Through the pain and disruption caused by the novel coronavirus, we will deliver a virtual message of hope, comfort, love and we will have an opportunity to show our appreciation to first responders everywhere.” Ernie Yuen, president of CAPI and a member of the Global Pride organizing committee, said that more detail would emerge in the coming days and weeks, saying that the need to ‘respond urgently’ to this global crisis was key. Uwe Hörner, a board member of CSD Deutschland [German Pride network], said: “Especially in these difficult times full of uncertainty and insecurity, we need to show visibility. Social distancing must not lead to the disappearance of diversity. We are happy to demonstrate with “Global Pride” to be part of a large community, and we want to send out a strong sign of solidarity and human rights.” Jenny Dewsnap, co-chair of the UK Pride Organisers Network, said: “We are enormously proud that UK Prides will be a part of this global event. Our communities and our pride organizers now have something to look forward to this summer and a chance to be a part of this unique demonstration of worldwide
solidarity and unity.” Maria Jern, vice-chair of Svenska Pride [Swedish Pride network], said: “In these times, it is even more important that we can demonstrate the power and strength of a joint Pride celebration around the world. Let the rainbow flag light up the world.” Dana Marsh, president of Fierté Canada Pride, said: “It’s easy to feel isolated right now, especially with so many of our local Pride celebrations announcing cancellations or new dates. Pride celebrations bring our communities together in a show of solidarity and unity. Now, more than ever, we need to be loud and proud! “Pride is not just a celebration, but a homage to our origins; the defiance and resistance against all systems of oppression. We acknowledge the intersections that join us in the global fight against homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, gender discrimination, racism, sexism, classism, and colonialism. “We must show that our global movement will persist, even when faced with new and unexpected challenges. Prides across Canada look forward to connecting with Two-Spirit/Indigenous, LGBTQIA+ communities from around the globe. Pride lives in us all.” “For OLA (Orgullo Latinoamericano), the Regional Network of Latin American Pride organizers, this project, in particular, has encouraged us to work closer and join efforts from all over the Latino diaspora with the Global Pride Movement to deliver hope and solidarity for the LGBTQIA+ community”, said Emmanuel Temores, co-chair of OLA. We are community and fight for solidarity and diversity as long as we can. Also, in times where we have to spread our voice online. Pride Organizations from around the world are encouraged to participate. Prides can express interest to participate at this link: https://forms.gle/ YDeCA9shTDMdK5RP9 Q
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Qsaltlake.com |
Utah couple comes through COVID-19 with greater appreciation for community BY MICHAEL AARON
A long-awaited three-week vacation between seasons at Ballet West for boyfriends Lucas Horns and Josh Shutkind ended with a trip to the hospital, a COVID-19 diagnosis, and two weeks of complete quarantine. “After finishing our run of Giselle in Salt Lake, we were given a three-week layoff before the spring season,” Shutkind said. “Whenever we get time off, I always try to sneak back to New York City to see my family. Bringing Lucas with me has been such a treat. My family adores him and I’m lucky to call my mom our biggest fan and the best guide of New York City.” “We started dating about two years ago when Josh moved to Salt Lake to start dancing with Ballet West,” Horns said. “[Visiting Josh’s family in New York] was so fun. His mom is amazing and took us around to eat the best food and see the best sights of the city. It was a little eerie, though, seeing the city shut down around us because of coronavirus.” The two began their trip hiking around Death Valley, California, and visiting Disneyland in early March. They ended up their vacation in New York City, not long after the first case of COVID-19 was reported there. By March 8, the city banned nonessential foreign travel for city employees. The pair were halfway through their week of fun in New York when Mayor de Blasio declared a local state of
emergency as there were 95 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city of 8.4 million people. He restricted gatherings exceeding 500 persons and required venues to maintain a occupancy level at or below 50 percent of legal capacity. “We were watching the city shut down around us,” Horns said. “We were supposed to see a Broadway show but they shut down. All the restaurants were closing.” The duo headed home as planned on Saturday, March 14. “We stepped off the plane in Salt Lake with slightly sore throats, but couldn’t tell if it was just stepped-off-a-plane sore throats or coronavirus sore throats,” Shutkind said. “We figured it was better to be safe, so we called the next morning to get tested.” “We went to the hospital for testing the day after getting back, but we were pretty confident at that point that we had contracted the virus,” Horns said. “The day after, we got really sick. We both got pretty bad fevers but Josh’s was a lot worse than mine. I was scared I was going to have to take him to the ER.” “Soon after being tested, a high fever set in,” Shutkind said. “I remember feeling like within a matter of hours my breathing became labored, a crippling headache crept on, and I began developing a dry cough. It took about three days to break the fever and begin the
recovery process.” “I was so grateful to go through the illness with Lucas by my side,” Shutkind continued. “During the peak of my fever there was no way I could
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ask mr. manners have taken care of myself. Luckily Lucas was experiencing less severe symptoms and took incredible care of me.” The pair, aged 25 and 23, healthy and active, was able to recover in just a few days. “Having now experienced the virus I am more grateful than ever for my good health,” Shutkind said. The two left their building over the next two weeks only when a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit Salt Lake City. “We just ran into my car,” Horns said. “I live on the third floor of an old brick building so we were pretty freaked. But we didn’t come into contact with anyone.” By the end of their quarantine, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall issued a stay-at-home order and closed restaurants and bars.
Keeping in touch The Ballet West company does a “Zoom barre” weekly to keep in touch and “keep some sort of normalcy in our lives.” “Having class once a week on Zoom allows us to
still feel the connection to our art and the ballet world,” Shutkind said. “The sense of community we regularly experience in the ballet studio can still be felt
through the camera as we all experience the effects of the pandemic together.” The couple is happy to have at least been together during their quarantine. “It was really nice to have each other when we were sick but even nicer to have each other during this quarantine period. Josh makes every day fun,” Horns said. Asked for any silver linings in their experience, they found things to appreciate. “I’m glad we got [COVID-19] over with and haven’t had to stress about getting it since,” Horns said. “I’m also glad for this time to be forced to slow down.” Shutkind said he has a greater appreciation for health, community, and family through the experience.
Moving forward “I really miss dancing, so I hope we get back to work soon,” Horns said. “I think this time has given people a new appreciation for coming together and seeing live performances so hopefully more people will come to the ballet than
ever.” “My hope moving forward is that everyone takes this illness seriously,” Shutkind said. “I know people are anxious to resume normal life and I know that I and my fellow dancers are eager to return to the studios so we can continue to share our art with the Salt Lake community.” Q
The new normal BY ROCK MAGEN
It feels
like every day brings new direction regarding social distancing, and indication of lifting of our current quarantine. As we await direction to “open back up” and move forward, I am sure that we will start to see billions of dollars spent on messaging, advertising, and media content which encourages a return to normal. But what is normal, and how do we survive until we return to life once known? If you are fortunate to work from home during these times, you are acutely aware that it’s all too easy to blur the lines between work time and personal time. For some, it’s unclear when work ends at all. “Protecting your essential personal time comes down to managing your transitions,” writes Elizabeth Grace Saunders for Harvard Business Review. Easier said than done. One way to do this is to set up work start — and end — rituals. Such tasks can be as simple as making coffee or taking a walk. But these are signals that mark the start to finish of your work day. For the rest of us, we search for meaning while awaiting the fates of our careers. Uncertainty can drive us to feel lethargic and encroaching a new dilemma: ‘How to make yourself work when you just don’t want to’. Unfortunately, there is no magic formula to make this work. I realize that the three most popular
strategies — thinking about consequences of failure, ignoring feelings, and engaging in detailed planning — don’t sound as fun as advice like “follow your passion!” or “stay positive!” But will have the decided advantage of being effective — which, as it happens, is exactly what you’ll be if you use them. The renowned artist Chuck Close observed that “Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work.” In a final moment of pondering our new situation, I hope you might consider this: What happened is inexplicably incredible. What the crisis has given us is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see ourselves and our country in the plainest of views. At no other time ever, in many of our lives, have we had to unseemly consider what would happen if the world simply stopped. Now that we are at this point, we will have to make decisions regarding the future. How will we allow the lessons learned from this so-called new normal to influence our return to society? Do we return to our lives and routines which feel so far away, or to keep some of the new habits formed in this time of isolation? Regardless of your decision, be safe, and find ways to take care of each other. At the end of the day we are all in this together, no matter what “normal” looks like. Q
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quotes “A dog is a man’s best friend. A cat is a cat’s best friend.” —Robert J. Vogel
“A dog will sit beside you while you work. A cat will sit on the work.” —Pam Brown
“A cat, after being scolded, goes about its business. A dog slinks off into a corner and pretends to be doing a serious self-appraisal.” —Robert Brault
“Dogs have owners. Cats have staff.” —Unknown
“Dogs will give you unconditional love until the day they die. Cats will make you pay for every mistake you’ve ever made since the day you were born.” —Oliver Gaspirtz
“Cats are smarter than dogs. You can’t get eight cats to pull a sled through snow.” —Jeff Valdez
“I am not a cat man, I’m a dog man. And all felines can tell this at a glance — a sharp, vindictive glance.” —James Thurber
“I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” —Winston Churchill
“Dogs come when they are called; cats take a message and get back to you later.” —Mary Bly
“Dogs believe they are human. Cats believe they are God.” —Unknown
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who’s your daddy
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Four-legged colleagues by Christopher Katis
Pretty
much every column I’ve wrote has focused on unique experiences LGBTQ moms and dads have had in parenting, compared to our straight peers. But in this pandemic, we’re all the same; we’re all trying to navigate life in isolation. For some that’s brought their families closer together. I love how much time our boys are just hanging out as friends. And for others, it’s all they can do to keep from killing one another. I’m really lucky, I’ve been able to continue working from home during the pandemic. It has its positive aspects — my commute is just 10 feet — and it has its downside; since this is a new job for me, I’ve literally only been in the office twice since I started. Thus far, my work-at-home colleagues have proven to be incredibly helpful. No, not Kelly and the boys. I have to put noise-canceling headphones on to drown out their shenanigans. It’s Skeelo — the good dog — and Athena Cat who help me get through the day. Inevitably, after I’ve been slaving away for a couple of hours, I’ll hear a quiet but insistent knock on the door. It’s Athena. Yes, she taught herself to knock at doors until someone opens … like a proper lady. She’s that coworker that has a little crush on you and thinks she’s sly about it but everyone knows she really digs you. She strolls in, mewing casual conversation at me nonstop, and curiously leaps into my lap. And then it happens: I catch her staring up at me adoringly, like she’s just waiting for me to ask if she wants to catch a movie on Saturday night. Then again, who knows, maybe she’s just trying to tell me not to buy that off-brand cat food ever again if I know what’s good for me. No sooner has the adoring, love-sick coworker left, than the needy, insecure coworker comes barreling in, head bopping around and tail wagging. Skeelo
is an incredibly good dog, but needs constant reassurance. He’s the colleague who is always whispering “do you think they’re going to fire me?” Right in the middle of an email or during a call, a cold, wet nose will shove its way into my hand. “Hey, man, are you guys talking about me? Are they letting me go?” his sad eyes implore. Actually, he’s rather clumsily unsubtle trying to tell me he thinks a quick walk would hit the spot. And, I must say I’m grateful to have him around during this social isolation and distancing. He’s a border collie, he has to get a lot of exercise or he’ll go bonkers. He has become my excuse to get outside — I have to leave the house because of him. He’s Kelly’s reason and the boys’ too. He’s getting so many walkies that I’m thinking he’s possibly behind the whole damn pandemic! Both Athena and Skeelo are serving an even more important role right now:
They’re filling the void of my missing family. Sure, I have my husband and my sons with me — and I’m exceedingly grateful — but most Greek families are really close, and I miss mine. I think that’s why our pets are so important to us; they’re parts of our families — sometimes they’re even the best parts. They listen without complaint, they love without condition, and they forgive without being asked. They’re the best coworkers a guy could solicit. Now if I could just teach one of them to make coffee! Q
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creep of the month
COVID-19 BY DANNE WITKOWSKI
There’s
a reason #StayTheFuckHome is trending. Because that’s what we should all be doing. As much as possible, of course. There are lots of people who can’t, maybe because they have to work or have medical appointments they can’t miss. In other words, good reasons. If you’re under 30, social distancing is probably making you feel like you’re losing your mind. If you’re over 30 you might be secretly thankful that no one is expecting you to go out. If you’re over 60 then you’re likely worried about dying. No joke. Even if you feel fine, and I do, going out in public unnecessarily is a super selfish thing to do right now. The U.S. simply doesn’t have the testing capacity to test everyone who might have COVID-19. There are likely thousands of people who are infected yet show no symptoms at all and by going out they have the potential to infect thousands more. So even if you feel fine, you aren’t fine. People with compromised immune systems, such as people with HIV/AIDS, need to be especially careful. If you love someone with a compromised immune system and you aren’t practicing social distancing, then you could kill them. Full stop. Again, no joke. There’s a myth that the U.S. is the strongest, baddest, boldest country in all the land. The world’s truck nuts, if you will. But this epidemic is quickly showing how weak we actually are. That our health care system is woefully inadequate to handle a crisis. That running our health care system as a lean and mean business rather than an essential service has left us unable to scale up to meet an overwhelming need. That unbridled machismo is not the same thing as leadership. That Donald Trump is not only an emperor with no clothes, at this point, he’s lost his skin, too. The federal government’s response to
COVID-19 has been abysmal, in large part because we don’t have a real president. We have Trump. And this reality show is way too real for him. If only he could shout, “You’re fired” at COVID-19. And so states are largely on their own, making up the rules as we go along. Some states doing more than others. In Michigan where I live, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, has declared a state of emergency. All the schools are closed. All large events are cancelled. Whitmer is showing true leadership and making hard choices. And if all goes to hell I would be willing to bet that she
takes responsibility. A far cry from Donald “I don’t take any responsibility at all” Trump. He’s not just an embarrassment, he’s a clear and present danger to the country. It’s no wonder that there are still people flocking to bars and nightclubs across the country as if nothing is happening. Seeing photos of lines around the block at clubs reminds me that for too long selfishness and greed have been celebrated traits in America. There is no better demonstration of that than President Donald Trump and his Republican Party. On March 15, the same day health experts were practically begging people to stay home, Rep. Devin Nunes (R-California) told Fox News that people should “go to your local pub.” Why? Because he’s worried that the COVID-19 pandemic will hurt the econo-
my. And he’s right. It will. But it will also kill people. “One of the things you can do: if you’re healthy, you and your family, it’s a great time to go out and go to a local restaurant. Likely you can get in easy,” Nunes said. “Let’s not hurt the working people in this country that are relying on wages and tips to keep their small business going. So don’t just run to the grocery store and buy $4,000 of food.” A lot to unpack here, but I would like to say that Nunes is essentially yelling “fire” in a crowded theater here. A crowded theater he would no doubt urge you to visit. Nobody wants to hurt small business owners or workers who rely on wages and tips. In fact, the Republican Party has spent decades waging war on those
very people, so Nunes can STFU with his concern trolling. Also, I’m not sure where Nunes shops, but $4,000 worth of groceries? Maybe that’s an exaggeration, but I am reminded of Lucille Bluth from Arrested Development when she says to her son, “It’s one banana, Michael. What could it cost, $10?” To which he responds, “You’ve never actually set foot in a supermarket, have you?” Ignore morons like Nunes and Trump. Stay safe. Stay home. But most of all, be kind and patient with yourself and others. Wash your hands. This isn’t going to be over any time soon. Q D’Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian living with her wife and son. She has been writing about LGBT politics for over a decade. Follow her on Twitter @ MamaDWitkowski.
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guest editorial
This time, God loves the gays BY MARK SEGAL
So how
are you doing? Like me, I’m sure you’re going through a range of feelings. Sorrow, anger, loneliness from missing family and friends, and also, for many, the stress over how I’m going to pay my bills. What I can offer is a universal truth: we are all in this together and this will come to an end. While we don’t know when that will be, and we don’t know exactly what life will be like, we do know one thing to be true. The religious extremists are blaming the virus, as they do with all the ills of the world, on the LGBT community. So I’ve considered this and I realized something. If you take their own hateful rhetoric the facts actually show the reverse. Here’s the way it almost always goes. Blame it on the San Francisco liberals. All sins start in that bastion of homosexuals. The point is that fundamentalists consider San Francisco the capital of the
LGBT world. This all started with the AIDS crisis when evangelicals said that God proved his anger at homosexuals by putting this plague (AIDS) on their capital city. Now those evangelicals, are saying that COVID-19 is God’s revenge on a world that accepts gays. So, according to their logic, if God is showing his anger on the issue of LGBT equality by striking San Francisco with AIDS, then God must now be siding with the LGBT community by striking the headquarters of the world’s religions with the COVID-19. Rome, headquarters of Catholics, Athens, the headquarters of Greek Orthodoxy, Moscow, the headquarters of Russian orthodoxy, London, home of anglicans, Mecca, home of Muslims, Jerusalem, home of Jewish faith, and Salt Lake City, home of the Mormons. Now, let’s compare and see what’s Gods wrath is. San Francisco has under 1000 cases and only 12 deaths. All of the headquarters of
the worlds major religions, religions that at one point or another have discriminated against the LGBT community, have more cases and more deaths than San Francisco. San Francisco is the least affected of all the cities. As the extremists always say: God’s plagues are aimed at those who utter hate speech against his/her chosen followers. Turns out, in this case, the chosen people is the LGBT community. I don’t take any of this lightly. We’re going through a tough time unlike any other. Times like this are times to band together. So, to those preachers still spreading hate, I say: stop blaming people and start helping people. Your homophobic sermons only harm your followers by spreading misinformation. The truth is, we’re all here to help one another. That’s how you get through a moment like this. We in the gay community have understood that since day one. We know the value of working together, and we’ve seen that it works. Q Mark Segal is the publisher of Philadelphia Gay News and is the nation’s most-award-winning commentator in LGBT media. His memoir “And Then I Danced, Traveling The Road To LGBT Equality” was named National Lesbian Gay Journalist Book of the Year.
TYING THE KNOT? Know who WANTS your business and will treat you with the DIGNITY and RESPECT you deserve. BROUGHT TO YOU BY QSALTLAKE
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lambda lore
Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 311 | May, 2020
Coming out a generation ago BY BEN WILLIAMS
We all
know that “coming out” is a process, although most of us have a defining moment from which we choose to celebrate an anniversary of sorts. Perhaps it’s telling your best friend, your folks, or attending Gay Pride Day. Mine was in bed with two other fellows talking about our fathers. Now, I am not telling you this to be salacious nor to boast, but just to explain that I had a conscious realization 25 years ago that what I truly desired was not random sex but rather an association with other gay people. I desperately wanted to have the feeling of belonging. I don’t know if it’s true today whether coming out has the same impact on gay people as it did 35 years ago when I came out and stayed out. It’s hard to explain or convey the feeling of solitary confinement that being in the closet felt like to gay people a generation ago. Back then only a handful of movies depicted gays and lesbians in a positive light. Rock Hudson had just died of AIDS and disparagingly cruel jokes were made at his expense. No gay character was on TV unless you count Billy Crystal’s Jodie character on Soap or Steve Carrington’s Dynasty character who became straight. There was Fame but no Glee. Ellen DeGeneres had not come out. There was no Will and Grace. No constant media attention on all things LGBT. In fact there was no LGBT; only gays and lesbians. No youth groups, no gay-straight alliances, no PFLAG, no anti-discrimination laws, no thought of gay unions let alone gay marriage. Sodomy was illegal. All gay people were criminals and sexual outlaws in Utah whether we were doing it in the bushes or in our bedrooms. Salt Lake City’s housing ordinances prevented same-sex men renting one-bedroom apartments. It was pretty dismal but also exciting because it kind of felt like we were living in war time. A generation ago, when I came out,
being gay was nearly considered a death sentence. When gay was discussed at all it was almost synonymous with AIDS. The first time I had ever seen the word AIDS it was scrawled on a bathroom wall as an acronym for “Anally Injected Disease Syndrome.” When I told my family that I was gay they were devastated not because I was gay but they were sure that I would die of AIDS. Actually it was the fear of dying young and never being true to one’s core identity that drove many gay men, including myself, out of the closet and out of marriages entered into as a promised cure for homosexuality. A generation ago men and women coming out were leaving wives, husbands and children behind in a grief-driven Sophie’s Choice moment. Many of the support groups that sprang up at the time dealt with gay fathers, lesbian mothers, children of gay parents and spouses of gay people all trying to repair broken families. For those coming out 25 years ago there was only one entry in the phone directory under the word gay. It was the Gay Help Line (533-0927) created in 1975, and kept in operation by a variety of individuals through the years. The Gay Help Line informed those “coming out” of the few support groups like Affirmation and Lesbian and Gay Student Union at the University of Utah, the locations of bars, and also served as a suicide prevention line. One of the most harrowing calls I was told of was when a operator was thanked by a caller for listening to his anguished story, and then he heard a gunshot on the other end. A generation ago suicide was rampant, but only known among the friends and families affected.
No one posted an obituary mentioning suicide or AIDS or being gay. In fact, straights kind of expected gays to “bump themselves off” at the end. Health resources for gays, though there were several, were primitive 25 years ago. They included the Salt Lake County VD Clinic, Gay Alcoholics Anonymous, The AIDS Hot Line, Community Service Clinic, and the fledgling Utah AIDS Project and Salt Lake AIDS Foundation. A generation ago there was a small, nearly underground, but vibrant gay community if one knew where to look. Without any true center of the community to help people with coming out, the bars and taverns of Utah offered a sense of belonging for those adventurous enough to maneuver the state-mandated sponsorship system of getting into a bar. A generation ago there were seven bars in Salt Lake City that catered to gays and lesbians, while Ogden had two. The Salt Lake City bars included The Sun, the In-Between, Backstreet, the Deerhunter, Reflections, Radio City Lounge, and Puss and Boots. Ogden’s bars were the Blue Horizon and the Wall Street Journal. These bars were not particularly “straight friendly” due to the fact that heterosexuals saw these spots as “freaky places.” In fact the In-Between kept a sign posted on its front door saying that it was a gay establishment and that if you are easily offended, stay out! The Sun, which stood on the northwest corner of what is now the Vivint Smarthome Arena, was probably the most famous
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gay bar in the state a generation ago, and many straights, accompanied by gay friends, would go for the fabulous dance floor. Long lines formed outside The Sun waiting to get in and those in line often had to endure derogatory epithets hurled at them by cars racing by. Sometimes more than epithets were thrown. A generation ago, while all the bars allowed both gay men and women to enter, patrons of the bars tried to keep them exclusive to one gender or the other. Puss N Boots and The Deerhunter were the most notorious. Puss N Boots was a lesbian bar and The Deerhunter was a levi-leather man’s bar. The ideas of “safe space” and “territory” were very important among people that felt isolated in the outside world. A generation ago Salt Lake City boasted two gay bathhouses that served as after-hour party places. Jeff’s Gym located on 17th South and 7th West, and Club 14 at 14th West and 2nd South. These places served as semi-safe places for gay men to meet and have sex outside of the parks and slough of clandestine toilets. These places also served as social outlets for many who would never go to a bar. Outside of Man To Man, which was Utah’s only gayowned telephone dating service, the bath houses were they only places where gay men could go for sexual release. For many gay men, even those out of the closet, a “boyfriend” relationship with someone
was simply not feasible due to society’s restraint on men living together. A generation ago there was a dearth of places for lesbians to meet. Organizations were secretive and knowledge of them was strictly by word of mouth. Outside of Puss N Boots, house parties were where women mostly met other women. A few social groups that survived the death of 20 Jacob Rue and Women Aware were Women On Weekends, Order of the Rose and OWLS-Older and Wiser Lesbians. A generation ago the choices for recreation were the Salt Lake Men’s Choir, the Utah Gay Rodeo Association, Wasatch Leathermen and the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire. There were no other sports leagues, performing groups or organized activities. While a generation ago there was no barrage of gay media outlets and no Internet, Salt Lake City did have what larger cities did not — Concerning Gays and Lesbians. This was a locally produced news and information program broadcast on KRCL. Also, since 1975 there had been locally operated newspapers or magazines in Salt Lake City. These printed papers could be found in all the bars and a few gay-friendly businesses such as the Cosmic Aeroplane, The Waking Owl Book Store, Blue Mouse Theater, and the Kite Shop. And that is how it was a generation ago. Q
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PETS in QUARANTINE QSaltLake readers share their times with their furry family members
ALEX HARROW in quarantine with cats: Gotta catch ‘em all? 4/4!
ERIC GRANATO had a birthday party for his cat, MANI. He’s been with him a year and is 3 years old. It got wild for sure.
BEK BIRKETT, getting up to the bathroom again Cats: I have asked you thrice for breakfast with nothing. Clearly you want me to die but I’ll take you out first
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BECKY AND ICARUS MOSS Icarus is a Blue Crowned Conure, just a small and very talkative parrot. The photo is from his latest cuddle session, after an earthquake. He has lived with Becky over 20 years, and is a rescue bird. As a companion during social isolation he is not bad, even though most conversations are redundant. Icarus: “Hello, Pretty Bird, Hello, Hahahaha” JEN MELCOMIAN and 11-years-young pit bull mix STELLA. Every time Jen comes home she grabs a shoe I have left out and gallops away and back to me making squeaky grunts. Every. Time. This has been going on since Jen got her 10 years ago.
LADY KATERINA laying on WINTER, a German Shepherd Shar-Pei mix
ALISON S. with LEO, DARLENE P with SCOOTER, BETH S with MOLLY, REIKO with ROUX, and LINDA M with ELLIE MAE, at a dog party in the back yard before social distancing. Leo and Scooter are Aussie Shepherd/heeler mixes, Molly is a Shih Tzu, Roux is a mini Schnauzer, and Ellie Mae is a Plott Hound. ALISON S with PRINCESS LEIA, a 75-pound chocolate Lab that still enjoys laying on her humans’ heads.
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MAREN NAZERA ERICKSON shares a pant with BUDDY, a cocker spaniel Maren watches. MICHAEL AARON says it’s SUMAQ’s fault he can’t get out of bed before 11.
WILLIAM SCHWARZ poses with his pet plants
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One year ago March 28, DARRELL PETERSON was first in line to pick up this playful bassett collie pup, LOUIS LOU. Happy gotcha day! And then Louie Lou decided a power cord looked yummy. Thanksfully it wasn’t plugged in
VICTOR CASTILLO and his 9-year-old monster, FENDI, an Italian Greyhound.
TONY SHIRLEY and SCOTT HARWELL with KUBO, an Aussie Shepherd mix who loves to sing backup for Scott to John Denver songs.
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Technically, JONESY isn’t EDDIE WARFIELD’s pet. She’s his roommate’s. But the roommate says she is also his since he’s lived with her for six years now.
In need? Call the SAGE hotline at (5428)
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Obituary
Richard Tyler Ballou, Jr. The irreplaceable Tyler Ballou, beloved husband, son, brother, and uncle, passed away on March 19, 2020, in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 31. Tyler had a zest for life! He loved his husband, family, friends, and pets and had a remarkable musical talent. Tyler was born in Logan, Utah, on July 15, 1988. He was a musical prodigy and was playing Beethoven at age 9 after only a few months of piano lessons. He graduated from Madison High School in Rexburg, Idaho, in 2006 where he was a passionate accompanist for the Bel Cantos Choir and school musical
practices. He was an Eagle Scout and served as an organist for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had a reputation for shocking the members of the Rexburg 16th Ward when he would rock the organ! Tyler was married to Josh Davis on August 12, 2017, at St. James’ Episcopal Church. Together they enjoyed spending time with friends and family, as well as their three dogs, Pepsi, Mia, and Pebbles. He is survived by his husband, Josh; his father, Rich Ballou (Kristin); and his mother Susan Marchant (Scott); his siblings, Cassity Clay (Jordan), Aurora MacDonald, Mandy Marchant, and Preston Marchant (Amanda); his nephews, Keenan Clay and Zakkary Marchant; and many aunts; uncles; and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dick and Jane Ballou; and Grant and Stella Harris. Because of the COVID-19 virus, a celebration of life for Tyler will be held at a later date. His interment will be in St. Anthony, Idaho, at the Riverview Cemetery.
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NATHAM MEASOM left Salt Lake City last year to join Best Friends Animal Society in Palm Springs. Since then, he has made friends with many different types of animals. He looks like he is having the time of his life.
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Melissa Etheridge chooses to focus on the ‘beautiful change’ the COVID-19 pandemic will bring How she learned to let go of fear. The lesbian icon does Facebook Live sessions at 4pm mdt daily. BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI
Throughout
her dynamic three-decade career, Melissa Etheridge has beat cancer and weathered the devastating emotional toll of the AIDS crisis. Having overcome her own battles, the music legend consequently became a beacon of strength, resilience, and survival and has turned her tribulations into musical catharsis. Given her collective courage in facing life’s most unexpected challenges, I decided to turn to her recently. I wrote to the music legend and LGBTQ activist on Twitter to ask if she’d be willing to speak to me about how she’s handling the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic and its resulting fallout the day after a national shutdown that closed schools, workplaces, restaurants and forced promoters and artists to cancel tours. Etheridge was about to play a long stretch of shows in the United States and Europe, but that was canceled too. During our interview, Etheridge brought her cool head and optimistic outlook as we discussed the unsettling state of our dramatically changed world. How are you? And I mean that. You know, we are all well. We’re in the new day, the new world, like all of us, and trying to figure this all out, but we’re all good. Considering everything, I’m glad to hear that. This is our new not-normal normal, isn’t it? And it’s like, how do we shift to this new life that we will be living for probably quite some time. Yeah. Well, one, the music industry’s been hit so hard. I try not to worry, but it’s like … I worry. My whole crew and band — I’m not making any money, and it’s like, Whoa. All of a sudden it really hits you, and it’s like, Come on, is this two weeks? One month? Two months? How long am I not gonna make any money? I can certainly get by for a while, but my crew and stuff — I try not to worry. But it’s going to be a big, fat hardship. You were about to go out on tour when some shows began being canceled because of COVID. Yeah, yeah. Well, it was gonna
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go till May and then I was gonna have a little bit off in May and June, and then I was gonna go over to Europe at the end of June and come back to America. And you thought, for a time, that you’d brave it. (Laughs.) Yeah. I was like, “No, no — I’m not scared of nothing!” But then, all of a sudden, it was like, “Oh, no, never mind. I get what we’re doing now.” It became that the thing that we can do to keep this from spreading is to keep away from each other. I took a run today and I don’t usually run, but I had your song “I Run for Life” on and it was getting me through so I just looped it. I just played it four times in a row and ran through my neighborhood. It was a great feeling. And I’m realizing that we have to look to small joys right now. For me, that was a small joy. Where are you finding your small joys right now? I’ll tell you what I’m doing and I just finished: I’ve been going live on Facebook every day at 3 o’clock pst. It just helps me so much. I do two or three songs and just say hey to people. We kind of meet together at the same time and thousands of people all over the world are joining me and it really means a lot. You said it helps you — how so? Oh gosh, yes. ’Cause that’s what I do. I sing for people. And when a body sings, it heals. It brings just as much joy to me as it does to other people. So in addition the financial impact of canceling your tour, it sounds like there’s also a personal loss for you. Oh yeah. I had taken a big break the last time. I was on the road in November and I was like, “I’m gonna take the holidays off and really not get that going until March.” That’s a big, long break for me, and I like to get up in front of people and I like the adoration of thousands of people, you know (laughs). It makes me feel good! I’m a road person. I love gettin’ on the road with my crew and my band and playing music. I just love it. I do that. That’s what I do. I love it. What’s so hard to come to terms with is that in times of crises, live music has helped heal. But we don’t have that now, and
might not for a while. Oh, it’s just awful. But you’re doing what you can to connect with fans on social media. How about connections in your personal life? Is your family with you? Yes. My two older kids — one is in New York City and she got out and went to a friend’s in Washington D.C. and she’s staying there. I have another in Denver and he’s OK. I wish they were all here. My two little ones are here with my wife, so we’re camping out here. And we take walks and do stuff — and we’re six feet from our neighbors, but we’re all much more friendly because it’s that connection that we miss. I remember you told me about three years ago when Trump got elected, “I will not fear.” With this, are you scared? Do you fear? And if not, how did you get to that place of fearlessness? It started 15 years ago with cancer, how I understood fear and how I understood what our everyday is made of, what our world and reality are made of and all its choices and that choice always comes down to two basic emotions: love or fear. All the other emotions can be categorized in there. I have many choices of how to respond or react to this virus, to everything that’s going on with it. I could be very fearful. I could be fearful for my health, fearful for our system. I could choose fear. Or I could look at it and go, “OK.” And sometimes it’s hard to do this, to say, “I’m going to look at this and I’m going to see what is the loving outcome that can happen here.” And I choose to do that every day. Like I’ve said, I look at my neighbors and all of a sudden I’m looking them in the eyes, all of a sudden people are wanting that social connection. Take that away from us and all of a sudden we’re like, “Wait a minute. I want that.” I think this is going to change our whole system. It’s going to change our education system, it’s going to change our health system, it’s going to change because there’s going to be such a humongous economic crash that we’re going to have to change the way our system is set up.
We will be forced to make major shifts in these various paradigms once we get through this. Yeah. Big corporations are not gonna have anybody to buy their products soon if they don’t look and say, “Something’s gotta change.” And we’re going to change leadership. I truly believe that. I truly believe there will be a huge leadership change and it’s gonna be people with new ideas and new ways of doing this. So this sort of quantum leap that we all felt could come since 2012, there’s big change coming, and we all wanted it. It’s sort of like this big bow that’s been pulled back really far and finally, there’s gonna be so much desire for that change now because of understanding how interconnected we are. We’re gonna see that change, and 10 years from now we’re gonna look back and go, “Wow, it was really, really hard but I’m glad it happened because these changes were made.” So that’s how I don’t fear. I constantly think, What’s the good? Look for the helpers. Find the Italians singing on the balcony. There’s beautiful things that show what our humanity is. That’s what we can do now. That’s how you don’t fear. And I think you’re right: This will bring us into unity. And it starts with leadership change and that’s going to come in a few months. I think it’s going to be huge. People are going to go, “That sucked, and we’re not going to go through that again.” (Laughs.) What did you learn about pandemic panic from living through the worst of the AIDS pandemic? That there are really good, smart people in the world who were made for this, who were made to make change and to put pressure on government and institutions to change. Really smart people that were born for this. And they’re rising to the occasion right now. How did the first live stream go? Aww. It was so, so sweet. It felt so good, and it was so great to see people from all over the world. And that’s the thing: The whole world is going through this. The whole world! And music really goes beyond language and goes straight to the
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have a really great pantry. Because I have two kids, I kind of keep things stocked, so we were fine. But the thing that we always like to do is go to the market a lot because we like really fresh produce and fresh food and that’s the hard part. But I can’t find brown rice anywhere! So I’m hoping we can replenish and everybody will be OK. And I have to make sure we have salad every day because this is not the time to not be healthy, so fresh produce is the thing. What are you most grateful for right now? My wife. Social media. I’m glad I got Netflix. And I’m really grateful for the neighborhood I live in. If I gotta be here every day, I’m grateful for my yard and my house. heart and I love that. I feel being a musician is being a healer. A song that helped get you through your battle with cancer is helping me get through this, and it’s Patty Griffin’s “When It Don’t Come Easy,” from her album Impossible Dream, which I’ve had in heavy rotation while physically distancing. Where does a song like that take you? Sometimes I don’t know what it is about a song that can do that, but a song can just hit a part of your emotional center and it can be in the voice, it can be in the music, it can be when she just sings, “If you get lost, I’ll come out and find you; if you forget my love, I’ll try to remind you, stay by you when it don’t come easy.” Just knowing that one human being sang that to another human being, and then just knowing that it exists in our emotional world can fill that part of you up. So, I’m so grateful for all the other musicians who have inspired me and do that because that’s our job, and it’s our time to do our job now. You’re feeling the call? It’s funny: I’m feeling the call to perform. I’m a little overwhelmed by the writing right now because I’m right in the middle of it. You sit down and you go, “It’s too big to look at, it’s right in front of your face.” There needs to be a little distance. Maybe in a few days, maybe when I see what this really is.
Then you might start jotting down some song lyrics? Oh yeah. I was already in my writing mode. I was already starting to write for my next album. This is going to be a very interesting album. (Laughs.) What are you listening to right now in your place with your family to help get you through this? Reggae always makes me happy. Bob Marley. Some old-school stuff. But my wife and I watched West Side Story and then we watched Barbra Streisand in On a Clear Day You Can See Forever. Barbra Streisand just makes you feel good. So we’re kind of finding comfort in that. And I saw you were playing M onopoly. Oh, yes. The kids love that. They love it a little too much (laughs). It’s a long game, but you have a lot of time now. We have a lot of time, and they are fierce — they’re not gonna quit. They play it till the end. And toilet paper — you good? It’s funny: Just a few months ago we were saying, “Why don’t we make hemp toilet paper? Wouldn’t that be great?” And I wrote to my friend and went, “Why didn’t we listen to ourselves? Why didn’t we start making hemp toilet paper?” What were your quarantine essentials? Did you make a run over the weekend? I actually just went this morning because we
Is there a song you sing while you’re washing your hands? Some people are doing “Bring Me Some Water.” If you sing the first verse and the first line of the chorus. “Bring me some water, I gotta wash my hands.” Bring me the water! (Laughs.) What words of wisdom would you like me to send out to the LGBTQ community? I would say a couple of things. Just because we’re isolating, don’t emotionally isolate. It’s easy for some of us in the LGBTQ community to do that. Find a way to connect with people. Find the people you can check in with every day and do that. Telephones, social media, whatever the way. And take care of yourself first. Stressful times really lower our immune system, so it’s super important to drink a lot of water and to stay hydrated and exercise. Taking a run, taking a walk. Really, really important. And also know that change happens — change always happens. And we’re in the midst of it. These are historical times. Come from love. And be smart and stay healthy but understand that this too shall pass. It always does, and it will. And there’s great change coming because of it. Good change. Beautiful change. For all of us. Q As editor of Q Syndicate, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.
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SEAN HAYES ON PLAYING A WOMAN AND HIS UPCOMING NETFLIX SHOW
‘Lazy Susan’ actor on playing a woman in earnest, ‘Will & Grace’ ending and his upcoming Netflix show BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI
Under any
other conditions, it might seem strange to tell Sean Hayes what I’m wearing. Given that Hayes slips into some sweats to play a do-nothing cisgender woman named Susan O’Connell — hence the movie’s name, Lazy Susan — it makes some sense that I tell the Emmy-winning Will & Grace star that I’m lounging in athleisure like a lazy Susan. (And, well, he did ask me if I was working from home — our new not-normal normal) Where do you go with Hayes from there? Everywhere: from developing Susan to why it was time to end Will & Grace (for real this time) and how his best lazy days involve his husband and Sigourney Weaver. What’s a lazy day in your life like? A lazy day in my life is usually Sundays. My husband Scotty and I don’t do anything
and we call it Cinema Sunday. We pick a movie out and we just sit there on the couch and watch it, and we usually have the doors open to the backyard and we take naps. Or I’ll put on This Old House. I love that show so much. So you guys will watch that together or you’ll do the movie and then you’ll nap? Yeah. Doesn’t that sound exciting? (Laughs.) What was your last Cinema Sunday flick? The original Alien. There’s nothing more relaxing than Alien. Nothing more relaxing than watching somebody’s stomach burst open. I’ve read that Susan is based on a character you initially developed for an audition for a sketch show years ago. Is that true? No — yes, of course! I just like to make things up! No, it was. I had a call from my agent when I was 21 years old living
in Chicago to come in and audition to replace quote-unquote “the white guy” in In Living Color, which was Jim Carrey because I guess he was leaving the show. So I go into the audition with a bag full of wigs and props and just tons of stuff to do, tons of characters. One of those characters was Susan, and I did it and that’s the story. And so here we are decades later, and at the suggestion of my very good friend Reyna Larson, who I went to high school and college with. She was like, “You should do something with that character you did but name her Lazy Susan.” I thought, “That’s such a great title,” and then I worked backward from the title and that character. I wrote a TV pilot in one day. It was awesome. It was so fun. It just came out of me. Then after I shared it with my friend Darlene Hunt, a prolific TV writer who created The Big C on Showtime, she was
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like, “Honey, I think this is a movie,” and I was like, “Really?” She goes, “Yeah, this script is the first act of the movie.” And I was like, “That’s really interesting.” And so there we go. Then I brought it to Carrie Aizley, who’s another good friend — they’re all good friends — and Carrie also read the pilot and she came up with some really witty, amazing dialogue for the rest of the characters. So we all three sat down and wrote it together. It’s good to know people — otherwise Susan might’ve still been dormant. I think she wakes up dormant! Oh, touché! But Darlene I’ve known since I was 27 years old. I got her her first writing gig on Will & Grace. So I’ve known her for years and years. And Carrie too. I was a guest star on (the 2006-2007 Oxygen comedy) Campus Ladies, which she was a star of. But back to Susan: I didn’t want the joke to be a man playing a woman, as we’ve seen so many times. I wanted it as an acting challenge. I thought it’d be really interesting to feel extremely uncomfortable in woman’s clothes but acting like I’m not. This character might’ve played differently 15, 20 years ago. Sure. But now there’s heightened sensitivity around who is playing what. For instance, I read a comment on your Twitter that asked: “With a guy playing a cisgender woman, does this not fall into the same issue of caucasian actors playing Asian characters or cis actors playing trans characters?” I don’t have time for any of those people. That’s my answer. Those people are way overthinking all of this. You mentioned not playing her gender as a joke, like it was in films like Some Like It Hot, Tootsie and Mrs. Doubtfire. In those films, the joke was a man, or men, in a dress. They were men playing a woman to reach a certain goal as a man. This is not that movie. This is a character that I’m playing, just like Jared Leto, who I think is a brilliant actor and who won an Oscar for playing a trans character (in Dallas Buyers Club). That’s why we’re actors. We like to play different parts, period. We shouldn’t be thrown into the social conversation of what’s right or wrong when it comes to the craft of acting. How did Susan initially come to you? Is she
based on anyone in particular? Yes, but I can’t say who. (Laughs.) It’s based on a few people. By the way, men and women. Famous people? Maybe, maybe not. Like Jack, she’s pretty self-absorbed. Do you see any similarities? I don’t see them that similar at all. I think Jack is very put together, and when given a task very responsible, shows up, has a bunch of different jobs. Susan can’t even get out of bed. What’s the message that you hope people take away from Lazy Susan? You know, I haven’t thought of that. I hope people enjoy the film, period. You know, there’s a lot of movies with something deep to say and what I love about this film is, sure, if you connect with it and find something for yourself to pull from, great. But my intention was just to entertain. It’s a Cinema Sunday flick. It’s a Cinema Sunday film. I really, really have an incredible affinity for those films from the ’90s that were Sundance or independent films and film festival films. You mean the ones we don’t really see anymore? Right, exactly. And so the Oscars have become an independent film festival, that’s all. But I love Welcome to the Dollhouse and I loved Napoleon Dynamite and I loved all those films. Now it’s huge studio films that open these film festivals when it’s like, what about the little films that we all used to go to discover at
independent film festivals? I wanted to make one of those. I mean, hopefully we succeeded. I think we did. But those are close to my heart. Probably because that’s what started my career too [Hayes starred in the 1998 gay-themed rom-com Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss]. As far as Will & Grace goes, after its recent revival, it’s been said that it will absolutely not return, ever. There will be no more. That is 100 percent for sure. How did you and the rest of the cast reach the decision to end it for good? It’s time. We were supposed to come back for 10 episodes and that’s it, and then because of the response we just kept making season after season. I think we ended up making something like 52, 53 episodes and it was so fun and I’m so, so grateful and honored and privileged to have that experience again, but everybody knows when it’s time to move on. I thought eight seasons was long. Then here we are with three seasons. I mean, they weren’t quote-unquote “full” seasons like they used to be, but in the world we live in three seasons seems to be plenty. It had nothing to do with any cast member feuds on set? Because my heart was hurting when I read about that as a possibility for the show ending. Yeah. Look at you. The hard-hitting-questions journalist getting in there. No, no, no. I was just like, I hope it’s not true. I don’t want it to be true because I grew up with these characters. No, no, no, no. It was a very mutual decision between the cast and the producers together. I’ve grown up with all of you — you guys changed my life as a little gay boy. I love that. What boundaries are you proud of breaking with the Will & Grace revival? I think our jobs are never done as a society and a gay culture to educate America. It’s never done. It’s never done to educate people about diversity and inclusion, so for that reason I’m sad the show is over, because somebody needs to do it and somebody needs to do it in a big way for lots of eyeballs and ears to see and hear. The last time we spoke we talked about how much of “the slap” between you and Megan Mullally is really kind of a dance. How much of “Just Jack” was improv? Well,
38 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | Q&A
the hand gestures were me. On paper it just says “Just Jack,” but we had the best writers in television ever on the show, in my opinion, and at the same time I had a director that’s the best director in television. He was the best for many reasons, one of which is letting me experiment with physical comedy. So that’s where some of that comes from — just experimenting. You don’t count yourself as an activist, but do you think you’ll see a gay president in your lifetime? I have to believe we will, yes. And I have to believe that he will be referred to as a president, not a gay president. That’s the other thing: I would never say you are a gay journalist or I’m a gay actor. I’m an actor. You’re a journalist. Why do we have to preface every single title with our sexual orientation? What’s next for you? What I’ve been working on is the Netflix series Q Force, which is (laughs) … you know, OK, the short description is “gay James Bond.” (Laughs.) But, Sean, we can’t preface it with “gay.” (Laughs.) I KNOW. That’s why I’m laughing because I just said that. But in that sense, you have to because it’s the
Qsaltlake.com |
person’s name, not the title: gay James Bond. I wouldn’t say gay spy or gay agent. That’s the short answer. Gabe Liedman — he runs PEN15, which is such a funny show — is the creator and showrunner of Q Force, and Mike Schur is supervising producer. Mike Schur created Parks and Rec and Brooklyn 99 and Good Place and wrote on Saturday Night Live. So we’re surrounded by incredible talent and then incredible writers, but it’s really … I can’t wait for people to see this show. It’s super, super fun. And it’s a great cast — but I can’t say who it is yet. But you, of all people, your mind will be blown. You weren’t out during the first part of your career, and so much has changed just in the years since then. What do you appreciate most about this current moment for LGBTQ actors? Just to clarify, the first part of my career I was out. I just wasn’t out to the press. Had we met at a cafe, I’d be like, “Yeah, I’m out and proud!” But you can read all about my issues about that online. Anyways, I think the tide continues to change in the favor of being historically on the right side, in that I think finally people in decision-making roles are
ISSUE 311 |
MAY, 2020
becoming aware of the sensitivities that they should have had years prior. I mean, I’m a fan of “best actor gets the part,” no matter what. No matter what. No matter if you’re gay, straight, bi, lesbian, LGBTQ, black, Asian, whatever. So is it OK that someone like Scarlett Johansson play a trans character? (Hesitates.) I don’t know. I don’t know. I mean … I mean… I don’t know. It’s such a good question. What do you think? I think that there aren’t enough roles for trans people and that there are plenty of trans actors who can play those roles, so until they’re being cast in those roles, I think no. OK, then that’s what I think then. Yeah? (Laughs.) I’m on the fence, you know. As an actor we want to challenge ourselves and we want to play different parts and that’s why we’re actors. But on the other hand, there should be plenty of parts to challenge yourself that don’t take away jobs from people that are entitled to be given the opportunity. Q As editor of Q Syndicate, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.
MAY, 2020 |
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ISSUE 311 | Qsaltlake.com
Embracing the health & resilience of our community
While stuck at home: Damn These Heels Queer Film Festival presents ‘Damn These Shorts!’ The team at Utah Film Center’s Damn These Heels Queer Film Festival is streaming a collection of short films that have played at the Festival or their year-round screenings, titled ‘Damn These Shorts!’ The festival is Utah Film Center’s
longest running program and the longest continuously running LGBTQ+ film festival in the Intermountain West. Watch above or go to vimeo.com/ showcase/6956813/ Q Learn more at utahfilmcenter.org
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40 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | ARTS
Qsaltlake.com |
ISSUE 311 |
May, 2020
Justin Utley’s ‘American Nightmare’
Utah Singer-
songwriter and Utahn Justin Utley released a music video for his new single, “American Nightmare,” Tuesday. With what has been going on in the past several weeks, the song’s name is particularly apt. “American Nightmare” is Utley’s newest single release since his activism work that helped to ban conversion therapy in Utah. It is a very different sound for the alt-country pop singer as it is more of an angst-ridden industrial rock anthem. Utley says he has been wanting to explore his edgier side and does so in this loud and aggressive yet melodic and catchy track. The song takes aim at conversion therapy and the current state of our country’s blind allegiance with political parties and religion. “This whole album has been about exploring edgier, darker themes that I’ve always wanted to take on but hadn’t because I was told to stay in my safe zone,” he explains. “But I’ve learned complacency is dangerous. It nearly cost California’s
LGBTQ community their freedom to marry. I have something to say about this world we’re living in today and I’m going to say it now because I don’t believe we can make it through another four years of this nightmare.” Utley was heavily involved, along with Equality Utah and others, in the push to make conversion therapy illegal in the state. While it didn’t make it through the Utah Legislature, it was ultimately banned by being added to a list of practices considered to be “unprofessional conduct” for state-licensed mental health therapists. Punishments could include suspending or revoking their license, according to state law. Utah is now the 19th state to ban conversion therapy. “The win was not only cathartic but rewarding and empowering,” he says. Utley plans to take his fight to the other 31 states. “I’ll take my guitar wherever I need to in order to keep this conversation going and get this horrific, shame-based sham of therapy banned. It’s unethical, it’s
disproven, and yet so many are caught in its web of lies, inevitable failure, and suicide,” he said. Utley blames the lawmakers who “blindly follow their party lines and church leaders” instead of the will of the constituents who elected them. It’s one of the reasons he chose to shoot the music video in a church (incidentally, the same church used for the Touched by An Angel series) and includes scenes with crowds in blindfolds, unable and unwilling to see the disasters that lie ahead. “Finding candidates who will work to unite the country rather than divide us is a top priority this election cycle,” Justin says. “I have my sights set on October when, hopefully, this nightmare will end.” Born and raised in Utah, Utley’s music career took off when he was selected to perform at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. After breaking ties with his Mormon roots and moving to New York City, Justin became a sought-after talent, spending much of his career touring as a performer at Pride Festivals
May, 2020 |
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ISSUE 311 | Qsaltlake.com
worldwide where he has shared the stage with top international acts including Dan Reynolds, Icona Pop, Tegan & Sara, Margaret Cho and Billy Porter. In June 2010, Utley released “Stand for Something,” a single written to inspire and motivate action towards securing LGBTQ marriage equality in the United States. The single was nominated by the LGBTQ Academy of Recording Arts for 4 OutMusic Awards, including Best Songwriter and Artist of the Year. It won Best Country/ Folk Song of the Year. He has served as a guest contributor on CNN’s ‘Faces of Faith’ Sunday news segment, NPR, SiriusXM’s OutQ, and MSNBC. He is a two-time recipient of the FBI’s “Inspiring Citizen of the Year” award, and “Artist of the Year” by SiriusXM’s OutQ Radio. He regularly provides insight on issues
of faith and the LGBT community at colleges and universities throughout the USA. This past fall, Justin Utley released his third studio album, Scars, a heartfelt, brutally honest, thought-provoking and vulnerable collection of songs that has been embraced by fans. The stand-alone pop-single “Survivors”
has now passed 100,000 plays on Spotify alone, and the three videos have received over a million views combined. “American Nightmare” along with the entire Scars album are available on Apple Music, Spotify, and all digital platforms. Visit Justin Utley’s website at Justinutley.com, follow him on Instagram and Facebook. Q
42 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | COMICS
Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 311 | May, 2020
PUZZLES | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 43
May, 2020 | ISSUE 311 | Qsaltlake.com
The Boys in the Band
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
Q doku Level: Hard
2
7 3 9 5 6 9 1 4 8 1 5 8 2 6 5 6 4 5 2 6 7 5 8 2 3 8 7 6 4
9
5 6 3
3 1
6
2 1 9 5 4
5 4 7 4 1 8 5 8 1 9 9 4 2 3 4 9 1 8
3
5 1
7 7
1 7 3 9 6 5 9 9 8 5 7 1 7
1 2
6
2 3 7 4 8 4 9 2 5 1 8 3 9 5 7 4
2 3 6 9 3 1 4 3 5 7 8
6 9
5
6 7 7 1
3 4 6 8 6
45 Velvet finish 46 Poet ___ Wu 47 Jeremy of M. Butterfly ACROSS 49 Press package from 1 Masticate HRC 5 Leathermen ride 50 Kofi Annan’s home them 53 End of the quote 9 Banana treat 59 Kahlo portrayer 14 Jamie who cross60 dressed on M*A*S*H 61 Historic Stonewall 15 Current Amsterdam event currency 63 One with a holey 16 Linney of Tales of bottom the City 64 Depp’s cross-dress17 Early Ron Howard ing role role 65 Locker room ema18 ___ all-time high nation 19 Spear of Minnesota 66 Where to start out 20 Start of a quote 67 Since, to James M. by Mart Crowley Barrie (1935-2020) 68 Say, “We’re just 23 Out on a limb friends...” perhaps 24 Club where you can dance with a sailor DOWN 25 The Rose star Bette 1 Handler of big bucks, 28 Month in Madrid in brief 30 ___ & the Gang 2 Drag queen ___ 34 Erotic diarist Nin Phace 35 More of the quote 3 Julia Roberts’ 37 More of the quote Brockovich 39 Org. in many spy 4 Sweaty guys embracmovies ing in a ring 40 Always, to Emily 5 Eavesdropper, e.g. Dickinson 6 Bellybutton type 41 Math subject 7 2015 Tomlin movie 42 Avoided going 8 Carol, for example straight 9 Puts in stitches, like 44 Inventor’s monoWanda Sykes gram 10 Boxer of the comics PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ON PAGE 44
11 Knockout 12 Coward’s confession? 13 Tart taste 21 Pink Triangle ___ 22 “G’day!” sayer 25 Dull surface 26 Harden 27 “Queen of the Hop” singer Bobby 29 Env. fattener 31 The ___ beat (passive partner?) 32 Rehoboth Beach setting 33 Pluck ‘em! 35 Tales of the City character 36 On the decline 38 Good to eat 43 Club dancer 46 Box office buy 48 Boston leather bar 49 He stole the tarts of the Queen of Hearts 51 Iroquoian tongue 52 Cell component 53 Facetious “I see” 54 Gladly, old-style 55 Seaman’s pair 56 ___ guys (Robin Hood’s men?) 57 Baldwin staffer 58 Time for cowboys to shoot off 62 “I’ll ___ anything once”
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4 7 6 3 9 1 2 8 5
3 2 5 6 4 8 1 9 7
9 8 1 2 7 5 3 6 4
5 1 9 7 4 3 6 2 8
6 4 3 5 2 8 1 7 9
2 8 7 1 9 6 5 3 4
5 4 2 7 1 6 8 3 9 3 5 1 9 7 4 8 6 2
8 1 9 5 2 3 7 4 6 9 6 2 8 1 5 7 4 3
6 3 7 4 8 9 5 2 1 8 7 4 3 6 2 9 1 5
4 9 8 6 3 7 2 5 1 9 4 3 7 6 8 9 5 2 4 1 3
1 2 6 4 5 9 3 8 7 1 6 5 2 9 4 1 3 7 6 5 8
7 3 5 2 8 1 4 9 6 8 7 2 1 5 3 8 6 4 9 7 2
7 1 4 3 8 9 6 2 5
9 2 8 7 5 6 4 3 1
5 6 3 2 1 4 9 8 7
2 3 1 5 8 4 6 7 9 5 3 1 8 4 2 5 1 3 9 6 7
5 4 8 9 6 7 1 3 2 4 9 8 5 7 6 8 9 4 1 3 2
9 6 7 1 3 2 8 4 5 6 2 7 3 1 9 6 7 2 4 8 5
1 5 8 2 6 7 3 4 9 7 8 5 3 4 1 2 9 6
9 6 7 3 4 1 2 5 8 3 9 6 2 7 8 4 5 1
4 2 3 9 8 5 6 7 1 1 2 4 6 9 5 3 8 7
6 8 5 1 3 9 7 2 4 4 5 2 7 1 3 9 6 8
2 9 4 7 5 6 8 1 3 8 7 9 4 2 6 5 1 3
7 3 1 4 2 8 5 9 6 6 1 3 8 5 9 7 2 4
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Qmmunity Groups BUSINESS
LGBTQ-Affirmative Psycho-therapists Guild of Utah lgbtqtherapists.com * jim@lgbtqtherapists.com Utah Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce utahgaychamber.com * info@utahgaychamber.com LGBT & Allied Lawyers of Utah lgbtutahlawyers.com * lgbtutahlawyers@gmail.com Utah Independent Business Coalition utahindependentbusiness.org 801-879-4928 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233 YWCA of Salt Lake ywca.org/saltlakecity 322 E 300 S 801-537-8600 HEALTH & HIV
Peer Support for Mental Illness — PSMI Thurs 7pm, Utah Pride Ctr 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
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Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 311 | May, 2020
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1 to 5 Club (bisexual) fb.me/1to5ClubUtah 1to5club@
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Alternative Garden Club bit.ly/altgarden * altgardenclub@gmail.com blackBOARD Men’s Kink/Sex/BDSM education, 1st, 3rd Mons. blackbootsslc.org blackBOOTS Kink/BDSM Men’s leather/kink/ fetish/BDSM 4th Sats. blackbootsslc.org Gay Writes writing group, DiverseCity 6:30 pm 2nd, 4th Mondays, Community Writing Ctr, 210 E 400 S Men Who Move menwhomove.org OWLS of Utah (Older, Wiser, Lesbian. Sisters) bit.ly/owlsutah qVinum Wine Tasting qvinum.com Sage Utah, Seniors fb.me/sageutah sageutah@ utahpridecenter.org 801-557-9203 Temple Squares Square Dance Club templesquares.org 801-449-1293 Utah Bears utahbears.com fb.me/utahbears info@utahbears.com
Weds 6pm Raw Bean Coffee, 611 W Temple Utah Male Naturists umen.org info@umen.org Utah Pride Center utahpridecenter.org info@utahpridecenter.org 1380 S Main St 801-539-8800 Venture OUT Utah bit.ly/GetOutsideUtah SPORTS
QUAC — Queer Utah Aquatic Club quacquac.org questions@ quacquac.org Salt Lake Goodtime Bowling League bit.ly/slgoodtime Stonewall Sports SLC fb.me/SLCStonewall stonewallsaltlakecity. leagueapps.com 385-243-1828 Utah Gay Football League UtahGayFootballLeague.com fb.me/UtahGayFootballLeague Venture Out Utah facebook.com/groups/ Venture.OUT.Utah SUPPORT
Alcoholics Anonymous 801-484-7871 utahaa.org LGBT meetings: Sun. 3p Acceptance Group, UPC,1380 S Main Tues. 8:15p Live & Let Live, Mt Tabor Lutheran, 175 S 700 E Wed. 7p Sober Today, 375 Harrison Blvd, Ogden Fri. 8p Stonewall Group, Mt Tabor Lutheran, 175 S 700 E
Crystal Meth Anon crystalmeth.org Sun. 1:30pm Clean, Sober & Proud LGBTQIA+Straight USARA, 180 E 2100 S LifeRing Secular Recovery 801-608-8146 liferingutah.org Sun. 10am Univ. Neuropsychiatric Institute, 501 Chipeta Way #1566 Thurs. 7pm, USARA, 180 E 2100 S, #100 Sat. 11am, First Baptist Church, 777 S 1300 E Men’s Support Group utahpridecenter. org/programs/lgbtqadults/ joshuabravo@ utahpridecenter.org Survivors of Suicide Attempt bit.ly/upc_sosa sosa@ utahpridecenter.org Trans Adult Support utahpridecenter.org/ programs/lgbtq-adults/ lanegardinier@ utahpridecenter.org TransAction utahpridecenter.org/ programs/transaction/ Sundays 2–3:30pm Women’s Support Group utahpridecenter.org/ programs/lgbtq-adults/ mariananibley@ utahpridecenter.org Youth Support Group ages 10-14, 14-20 utahpridecenter. org/programs/youthfamily-programs/
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Encircle LGBTQ Family and Youth Resource Ctr encircletogether.org fb.me/encircletogether 91 W 200 S, Provo, 331 S 600 E, SLC Families Like Ours (ages 2-10) utahpridecenter.org/ programs/youth-familyprograms/ Gay-Straight Alliance Network gsanetwork.org Salt Lake Community College LGBTQ+ 8 slcc.edu/lgbtq/ University of Utah LGBT Resource Center 8 lgbt.utah.edu 200 S Central Campus Dr Rm 409 801-587-7973 USGA at BYU usgabyu.com fb.me/UsgaAtByu Utah State Univ. Access & Diversity Ctr inclusion.usu.edu/ lgbtqa Utah Valley Univ Spectrum facebook.com/ groups/uvuspectrum Weber State University LGBT Resource Center weber.edu/ lgbtresourcecenter 801-626-7271 Youth Activity Night ages 10-14, 14-20 utahpridecenter.org/ programs/youth-familyprograms/
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BOOK REVIEW | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 47
May, 2020 | ISSUE 311 | Qsaltlake.com
the bookworm sez REVIEW BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER
Bodies and Barriers: Queer Activists on Health EDITED BY ADRIAN SHANKER, FOREWORD BY RACHEL L. LEVINE, MD, AFTERWORD BY KATE KENDELL, C.2020, PM PRESS, $20, 208 PAGES
You woke up this morning feeling pretty good. That was quite a relief: in these frightening, uncertain times, every day of wellness is a bonus — especially when you consider that healthcare for a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer patient can be different than what straight people require. Too bad healthcare providers don’t always know that. But read Bodies and Barriers, edited by Adrian Shanker, and you’ll feel more empowered to tell them.
q scopes MAY BY SAM KELLEY-MILLS
ARIES March 20–April 19
While you are accustomed to social gatherings and spending time with friends, it’s been a time of solitary moments and physical activity. While it’s not bad entertaining yourself, the time for getting back to the basics is close. Start figuring out now what you want to do when the floodgates open.
TAURUS Apr 20–May 20
Don’t fret the lack of productivity and take time to reflect. While a family matter has left you exhausted, there is much to be gained by working through feelings. Everyone has said how good of a sport you have been lately. There is much to be learned and even more you can teach others.
GEMINI May 21–June 20
Where you go from here is a question that has been on your mind. It’s time not only to grow and transform, but to create a new life. Figure out what works and go with
If you were to look for books or articles that address healthcare issues for LGBTQ patients, you will likely find an abundance. The problem is, says Shanker, most of it was written by people who are not lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer. “Every person providing care for humans is providing care for LGBT humans,” he says, but it’s time that “our stories about our bodies” be told. And so, here they are… For the youngest LGBTQ patients, physical and mental healthcare may be different than their heterosexual peers, and it’s different than that which LGBTQ adults may need. Socially, for example, kids struggle with issues adults are better-equipped to handle. Parents, as one story indicates, can be the best ally. Young adults likewise have issues that seem tied to their age and vulnerability. Homelessness can exacerbate health issues (and vice versa); teens
may suffer from depression, suicidal notions, and bullying. Healthcare needs may extend to the dangers of “sex in the digital age” and a lack of maturity. Because of their youth, LGBTQ teens also need help with learning “social service navigation.” Habits such as alcohol and other addictions may be of issue to LGBTQ adults seeking good healthcare, but doctors sometimes don’t know what tests to use. They may be uninformed about caring for someone with bisexual or same-sex preferences, or who’s transitioned. They may have a “stigma” about HIV or be unaware of cancers that particularly plague LGBTQ individuals. As a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender adult, being your own, highly vocal advocate is key. One thing is for certain: Bodies and Barriers is timely — not because Covid-19 treatment is based on sexuality but because other maladies that may arise
it. The biggest surprise is how much change you actually don’t want now and the surprise itself is worth its weight in gold.
in a while. Don’t fear handing over the reigns, but keep on hand on the wheel.
CANCER June 21–July 22
The numbness caused by recent events will subside, and emotional connections can be overwhelming. Make sure to process these feelings in a safe place or with someone you love. The hardest part will be coming to the conclusion that emotions are only the beginning of reasoning.
LEO July 23–August 22
Truth is one of the hardest pills to swallow, no matter how good you are at taking it all. Give greetings to everyone and become the life of the party. Take time to learn what you may not understand and be open to harsh but refreshing truths. In the end, it’s all about growing right now.
VIRGO August 23–Sep. 2
Be agreeable with anyone regarding business. It’s amazing how many defensive barriers you have to knock down. It might seem like a good idea to fight, but it can be harder to let go. Let others take control once
LIBRA Sept 23–October 22
are, and since healthcare is on your mind anyhow, this book is invaluable. Through a series of variously-authored essays, broken into sections based on age, editor Adrian Shanker offers a chorus of voices that display a variety of viewpoints and frustrations that could perhaps ultimately teach healthcare workers a thing or two. Readers should not be surprised to note resignation in these stories, or the occasional bit of anger and outrage, but there are also plenty of essays that impart a calm but determined tone. It’s in these that an LGBTQ reader will find comfort, camaraderie, and a way to speak up. Be forearmed with information, and beware. Know how to demand from your doctor that which you need, and don’t leave without it. Wash your hands, don’t touch your face, and read Bodies and Barriers. Having this book feels pretty good. Q on what does. Redefine priorities.
CAPRICORN Dec 21–Jan 19
There seems to be much to worry about. Everyone is feeling the same way. Find comfort in the sheer number of people who are worse off than you. Misery loves company, but company loves comfort. Be a catalyst for change for those who need it. The love you give will find its way back.
Everything happens for a reason. Some reasons are a result of what happened. Putting the cart before the horse simply means a new design is needed. Be clever and make life to work for you. Spend time with someone who is smarter than you for a change and believe that they exist.
SCORPIO Oct. 23–Nov. 21
Help is never gone. It is there in some form. The focus you lack can be found by playing a game or writing a poem. Get creative, focus on what you really want and forget everything else until it is time to deal with it. The world is full of distractions as well as things that can wait.
Even if there are no good answers, the questions on your mind do not lead to dead ends. Don’t fear being ignorant or not jiving with the universal truths you discover. Real control is found within your thoughts and feelings. Take charge and get a grip on all that is happening around you.
SAGITTARIUS
Nov. 22–December 20.
The financial burdens may not be easy to deal with, but in the end, attention to details will help you find balance. Take charge of money matters and don’t be afraid of taking a loss. It is worth sacrificing things that never really mattered in order to focus
AQUARIUS Jan. 20–Feb. 18
PISCES Feb 19–Mar 19
Yell and scream if it makes you feel better. Let go of the emotions that have shaken your core. The way to get over stress is to experience a bit of anger. It isn’t about losing control, but simply understanding a side of you that is often suppressed. Peace is often the aftermath of chaos. Q
48 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | POSITIVE THOUGHTS
Qsaltlake.com |
ISSUE 311 |
May, 2020
Finding Hope in ‘Crystal City’ BY JEFF BERRY
In the trailer for the new feature-length documentary film Crystal City, Rob, who is living with HIV and four years sober, says that during his time dealing and using crystal methamphetamine he discovered “there are addicts everywhere, from people living on the street to business executives of major entertainment companies — from the gutter to the penthouse.”
New York City, which is experiencing a 300–400 percent surge of crystal meth use, is the backdrop for this gritty, graphic, but ultimately inspiring and hopeful film infused with heart and compassion. It follows 12 gay men over the course of one year, some actively using, others in recovery. (A word of warning: some of the scenes of people smoking and injecting crystal meth may be difficult to watch.) David Fawcett, author of Lust, Men, and Meth: A Gay Man’s Guide to Sex and Recovery, is interviewed throughout the film, and is also one of the film’s producers. Crystal City is filled with bits of information about things like the origins of crystal meth in the U.S. (known as “mother’s little helper” to housewives during the 1950s) and high-quality animations depicting the science behind the drug, such as how it can alter the dopamine receptors in the brain with continued use. The power of crystal meth overtakes most users with consistent use, the movie tells us. 10,721 people died from overdos-
es in the U.S. last year. It’s estimated that 50% of gay men who are using crystal meth will seroconvert, acquiring HIV and other infections such as HCV. “A small percentage of addicts do seek recovery,” says Fawcett. “For them, quitting the drug is just the beginning of their journey.” Ninety percent of those in recovery will relapse at least once, we are told. The hope and inspiration of Crystal City springs from the men who are followed in the film through various stages of recovery and use. “One of the things about getting sober is that you have people you can talk to,” says one individual, “and before, I didn’t have that.” In an almost ironic twist of fate, the community that people discover in recovery is the connection they were initially seeking when they started using in the first place. “I’m damaged goods,” says Rob. “No one’s going to want me — I’m untouchable.” Crystal meth offers users an exit door, freedom, oblivion, and makes everyone
May, 2020 |
ISSUE 311 | Qsaltlake.com
POSITIVE THOUGHTS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 49
positive thoughts weirdly equal, says another. It’s not just a gay issue, says Fawcett; it’s a problem for our whole society, and something we need to begin to think about to address. “The first step is to see what we have in common with a crystal meth user, instead of, ‘Oh, that’s not me, not my problem; it could never be me, why don’t they just get it together.’” Fawcett encourages us to ask ourselves, “What are the similarities here, what are the vulnerabilities I might share that I see in that other person, and what solutions have they discovered that might be relevant to me?” The award-winning film, which has been making the film festival circuit over the spring and summer, is available on iTunes and Amazon. Positively Aware magazine asked the film’s director, producer and editor Filmmaker Terrence Crawford Terrence Crawford, director of Formerly Productions LLC, what his motivation was for making the film and what he hopes it will accomplish. What inspired you to make this film? Crystal City began as a 20-minute-long student film for Sam Pollard’s documentary production class [at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts]. At the time, it was called Crystal Clear. Ultimately, we scrapped and reshot all of the footage when producing the feature, but the basic premise remained the same. Two of the original characters in that short version appear in the 90-minute iteration. I was inspired to create Crystal City in part because of the persistence of John Maidman, the film’s cinematographer and producer. After watching my short film, he believed that he could help provide the resources and cinematographic talent necessary to produce a feature-length documentary on recovery from crystal meth addiction in NYC’s gay community. I personally have been in recovery from crystal meth addiction since early 2015 and share much of the same history as my
documentary subjects. Sobriety and the 12-step model of recovery has dramatically improved my life for the better ever since. However, for years, I was embarrassed to share my experience in recovery even with friends and family. This is because crystal meth addiction is a largely taboo subject in conversation and it can be difficult for recovering addicts to be open about their history with loved ones. In part, lack of representation in film and television plays a major role in the stigma associated with meth addiction. Most other documentaries and scripted films about addiction focus primarily on the tragedy and despair of active using without offering solutions or hope. I wanted to make a documentary that reduces this stigma by representing a group of crystal meth addicts as talented, resourceful and intelligent people in recovery capable of long-term sobriety and life improvement. My intention is for the general public to relate to these recovering crystal meth addicts, not to pity them as hopeless cases. Crystal City is primarily a call to compassion. What do you hope people will take away from the film? I want audiences to leave the theater with a fresh perspective on people in recovery. I hope the audience remembers that crystal meth has been around for over a century — used by heads of state, combat soldiers in World War II, 1950s housewives, and finally by LGBTQ communities. Audience members should understand that methamphetamine releases four times as much dopamine as cocaine and six times as much as sex. So much dopamine is released, in fact, that nearly everyone who repeatedly uses methamphetamine is at risk of becoming dependent, regardless of predisposition. After all, meth addiction impacts people from all walks of life, gay and straight, from the gutter to the penthouse. Hopefully our audience will relate to these documentary subjects and recognize that addicts in their own lives are capable of success and redemption.
Rob, in Crsytal City
Anything else you would like to add? I hope viewers aren’t turned off by the heavy subject matter and will give the film a chance. The overall arc of the story is about redemption with a hopeful, uplifting tone. Also — while this isn’t explicitly covered in the film, harm reduction treatment modalities such as GMHC’s “Recharge” program [in New York City] are receiving the most resources and funding from the city and department of health. The film isn’t opposed to harm reduction because 12-step programs and therapy aren’t necessarily a good fit for every addict. Abstinence should be the ultimate goal in my opinion, but it’s best to meet each person where they are at in their recovery and not to shame them if they are unable to maintain sobriety. As stated in the film, the most effective treatment options tend to involve some sort of community and peer support. It’s very difficult to recover in a vacuum without the help of a supportive social network. Watch the Crystal City trailer: vimeo. com/313886794. The film is available to stream or purchase on iTunes and Amazon. Q Jeff Berry is the editor-in-chief of Positively Aware magazine, and Director of Publications at Test Positive Aware Network in Chicago. Find him on Twitter @PAEditor. This column is a project of Plus, Positively Aware, POZ, The Body, QSaltLake Magazine, and Q Syndicate.
50 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | SEX
Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 311 | May, 2020
sex and salt lake city
BY DR. LAURIE BENNETT-COOK
It’s apparent
.
TEA
H A T MU
e nt ovem ing m s test root s an dly i et grass courage for n e i r y Mr F ational, f HIV, en ity of life s. n o al ay inter stigma rove qu endly w i e p r c f redu V, and im HIV in I h t i H w fo r l i v i n g e AH t hos ly UT t d a n e e mor eamFri ou t d m/ T n i F k.co o o b f a ce The new face
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of HIV awareness
Dr. Laurie Bennett-Cook is a Clinical Sexologist with a private practice in Utah. During the Coronavirus outbreak all clients are seen on a sliding scale. She can be reached at DrLaurieBennettCook@gmail.com
May, 2020 | ISSUE 311 | Qsaltlake.com
deep inside hollywood Gaston and LeFou are back Think back to that flash of a moment in 2017’s live-action remake of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the one where it seemed that Gaston’s (Luke Evans) sidekick LeFou (Josh Gad) was, in effect, coming out as gay. We call it a flash because if you blinked you missed it — that is, if you don’t count the constant thread of LeFou having a wild crush on Gaston — but that’s another complaint for another day. It’s canon now: LeFou is gay (but keep up, Gad is heterosexual and Evans is the gay actor, just for the record). Now that you have all that background you can know that Disney+ is developing a six-part prequel series about the two characters and how they came to be such a villainous team. It’ll also be musical, with songs from veteran Beauty composer Alan Menken. And we’re just telling Disney now, because we’ll all be watching from the social-distancing comfort of our homes and paying very close attention that LeFou better stay very, very, very gay or there will be a riot.
‘The Baby-Sitters Club’ comes to Netflix Kids’ literature is no stranger to independent-minded tomboy characters created by talented and thoughtful lesbian authors, such as Harriet The Spy by Louise Fitzhugh and The Baby-Sitters Club by Ann M. Martin. But unlike Harriet, whose adventures spanned just two novels, The Baby-Sitters Club became an enduring series throughout the ’80s and ’90s, with a feature film version in 1995. And now comes a series from Netflix — same name, naturally — that will bring the girls up to date for a new generation. The four mains are all relative newcom-
ers: Sophie Grace as Kristy, Shay Rudolph as Stacey, Malia Baker as Mary-Anne, and Momona Tamada as Claudia, with Alicia Silverstone and Mark Feuerstein providing grownup support. There’s no drop date yet, but that’s Netflix for you. And while you’re waiting, there are quite literally a couple hundred books in this series, waiting to satisfy your childhood nostalgia urge.
‘American Gigolo’ calling for Showtime Feeling a sense of deja-vu? Well, it’s because American Gigolo, the stylish 1980 male escort drama starring Richard Gere and Lauren Hutton, keeps promising to become a TV series and then just… not. In its day, the film was obsessed over for its fashionable details, as well as for its strange straddling of queer panic and queer pleasure, all while objectifying its occasionally nude star. But now comes another chance of resurrection at Showtime, where Jon Bernthal (Ford v Ferrari) will star as the sex worker who was framed for murder. David Hollander (Ray Donovan) is penning the script that updates the story to present day (and yet set only 18 years after the original story, so good luck keeping your mind wrapped around that), as the older, wiser Gigolo struggles to find his way in the modern sex industry of Los Angeles, all while trying to sort out the truth about who framed him so many years ago. We’re not holding our breath for this one because we were promised it before, but now that Showtime’s delightfully trashy reality series Gigolos is no more, there’s a vacant space in our hearts waiting for a hero. Q Romeo San Vicente is a full round trip all by himself.
HOLLYWOOD | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 51
52 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | FRIVOLIST
Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 311 | May, 2020
the frivolist
6
productive ways to spend your time during the Coronavirus crisis BY MIKEY ROX
As we all
hunker down to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus, here are a few ways you can cope and stay productive for sanity’s — and humanity’s — sake.
1 Take free online classes
Your mediocre SAT scores may not have gotten you into the Ivy League school of your dreams (don’t feel bad — mine didn’t either), but the internet doesn’t give a hoot about aptitude tests. You now can take online courses from the likes of Harvard, Columbia and Princeton, among other top institutions, without paying a dime or leaving the comfort of your home. More than 450 free courses are available in a collection on Class Central (classcentral.com), in categories that range from computer science and engineering to humanities and art and design. Learn about the United States health policy (which is more topical than ever in these wild times we’re living in), take an intro to classical music, or
brush up on Buddhism and modern psychology. You’ll also find LGBTQ courses, including the titles “Queering Identities: LGBTQ+ Sexuality and Gender Identity” and “Monitoring the Human Rights of LGBTI Persons.”
a head start 2 Get on your taxes
The IRS postponed the tax deadline, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use your time off to get your financial life in order. Doing it now will help avoid the crunch later, provide your accountant a head start before everyone makes their own mad dash, and it’ll be one less burden hanging over your head during this already stressful time of extreme uncertainty. You likely won’t get much assistance from library resources this year considering the wide-ranging closures, which is something to consider if that’s help you typically rely on.
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Hit some of your 3practice local trails and other self-care Curfews have been instituted in several states already — and that practice shows no sign of slowing as COVID-19 continues to spread widely and rapidly. While social distancing has been encouraged, it doesn’t mean you have to lock yourself in the house for the foreseeable future. There’s always nature, and it’ll do you good to get out and stay active so long as you’re not spreading germs with person-to-person contact or congregating in groups of more than 10, per instructions from the White House. Take a private hike, clear your mind, and recognize that this temporary interruption in our lives is just that — temporary. Fresh air and sunshine will be necessary to fight the doom and gloom of news and social media. Other self-care to practice includes getting regular exercise (gyms like Planet Fitness are offering free streaming workout class to members and non-members alike), maintaining proper hygiene (take a shower and get dressed every day), and treating yourself to mindand body-soothing activities like at-home facials, partner massages, meditation and yoga.
your resume 4 Update and plan new goals
If you’ve been considering a career change, take this time
to update your resume and set new goals. It may take a while for the economy to get back on track after this crisis has ended, but we will bounce back, and there’s no reason you shouldn’t be prepared to hit the ground running when we do.
your home 5 Finish projects
Have any half-finished projects around the house? Most of us do. Grab what you need from the hardware store and get to work.
from all 6hoursUnplug your devices a few every day The worst way to spend your time during this recommended period of self-isolation is with your face buried in a phone or television while your hands are shoveling snacks. Constant inundation of negativity combined with inactivity will only make you feel worse — if not increase your paranoia — and nobody needs that. Limit yourself on screen time (sex apps are not the answer to your boredom right now, by the way), look around to see what you can accomplish in your safe space (a clean, organized home will immediately improve your mood — I promise), and resolve to focus on the positive. It may not seem like it on the surface, but there’s still plenty of that left if you look for it right where you are. 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 currently lives in his van, saving money and traveling the country. Connect with Mikey on Instagram @mikeyroxtravels
SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 |
ISSUE 304 | Qsaltlake.com
DINING GUIDE | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 53
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54 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | FINAL WORD
Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 311 | May, 2020
the perils of petunia pap smear
A tale of when Hell froze over BY PETUNIA PAP SMEAR
The road
to being in heat is fraught with danger
and excitement. It was a dark and stormy night, in mid-February. The wind outside Chateau Pap Smear was howling loudly, just like a drag queen that just got her wig back from the salon with a really bad style. Despite the stormy weather outside, I felt safely ensconced in my steadfast recliner, heavily re-enforced to accommodate my buttockus maximus, while watching Keeping Up Appearances on TV and taking copious notes as to how Hyacinth Bucket organized her outdoors indoors luxury barbecue with finger buffet. Any queen worth her sequins should be prepared at all times to host such an elegant affair at a moment’s notice. The driving snow was swirling past the window more fiercely than the tornado in The Wizard of Oz. Like Dorothy, I would periodically glance out the window, keeping a discreet watch out for the Wicked Witch of the W#@, I mean Cherri Bombb. As the evening wore on, I began to feel a little chilly. I thought to myself, “Self, (and I knew it was me because I was the only one home) you’re just feeling frosty because of the sound of the wind outside, it’s all in your head.” So, I grabbed a fleecelined rainbow sequin blanket and drew it up above my breasticles and clipped it to my pearl necklace to hold it in place,
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just like I do with the bib I use when I’m at a buffet. There, comfy and cozy as ever. When the show was finished I went to bed, dreaming of my hero Hyacinth and planning my own elegant gathering. A couple of hours later, I was having the most wonderful dream about lying naked on top of a bear-skin rug in an icy igloo with the hunkiest Eskimo imaginable, towering over me with arms outstretched and lips pursed. I lay shivering in anxious anticipation, frustrated because the hunk couldn’t devise a way to get past my breasticles to kiss me as I so richly deserved. Just then, I woke up, shivering for real. Damn, the bedroom was as cold as an igloo. My teeth were in fact chattering. My thighs had goosebumps the size of my breasticles. I began to feel around in the dark to see if my blankets had fallen off. No, the bedding was still in place. The air in the room felt positively arctic. Turning on the light, I could see my breath. I got up to check the furnace thermostat and it was set at 72 degrees, but the temperature read a chilly 47 degrees. I went downstairs to check the furnace, and it was running, running, running, but the flame never would light. Oh no! What good is being a flaming queen when you can’t be in heat? Well, it’s the middle of the night, in a blizzard and the furnace has conked out. I did what any flaming queen would have done, I went to the kitchen and turned on the oven to generate some heat. I placed a chair in front of the stove, and I sat there, blankly staring at the oven window as if I was watching TV. After a while, the warmth of the stove began to radiate past my breasticles, and I ceased shivering. In the morning, the repairman said it would be 4 days before they could come to my rescue. In order to survive, I just left the oven on for the entire four days and nights. Since the oven was already on, I felt the need to bake cookies, cakes, bread, casseroles, chicken, and all manner of calorie-rich baked goods, so as not to feel like I was wasting gas. So, in other words, just
another typical day in my kitchen. The repairman said that my furnace was, indeed, as ancient as my girdle, and needed to be replaced. Prior to the installation, I thought it was necessary for me to move a huge rack of dresses and wigs that were stored in the furnace room, lest the workmen discover my industrial-strength braziers, or worse yet soil my delicate wardrobe. It took me five hours of hard labor and three doses of Advil before I was able to remove all signs of drag from the furnace room. Potential embarrassment averted. And so, it came to pass, that the next day, two installer guys, who fortunately for me, were both just as gorgeous as the Eskimo of my dreams, came to do me. I mean, to help me get in heat. I mean, to work on my ducts. It was all I could do to stay out of their way as I watched their biceps bulge as they lifted and their buns ripple as they bent over to work on my ducts. There is, indeed, a God! Just as they were preparing to finish the job, the installer guy whom I thought was the most handsome, casually asked me, “So, which of you guys is the one that does drag?” How did he know? I thought I had been so careful in hiding the evidence. Then I remembered, I have a sign above the basement stairs that reads, “The Queen Reigns Here.” This story leaves us with several important questions: 1. Should I develop a line of breasticles with heating elements for such occasions? 2. Should I name them Flaming Queen Furnacesticles? 3. Should the motto be, “This Queen is in Heat?” 4. Would fur-lined underwear show a panty line under my caftan? 5. Did I leave the oven on to heat the house, or just as an excuse to bake cakes to help maintain my aisle-blocking physique? 6. Should I have opened a restaurant and named it the Hefty Heifer? These and other eternal questions will be answered in future chapters of The Perils of Petunia Pap Smear. Q
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