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news The top national and world news since last issue you should know BY CRAIG OGAN
First post-Bostock ruling The first opinion using the U. S. Supreme Court Bostock v. Clayton County ruling that held that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibiting employment discrimination based on sex covers LGBT people, occurred in a Florida bathroom case. The 11th Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling in favor of a transgender man suing the school board in Jacksonville to allow transgender students to use bathrooms that align with their gender identity. The man has not lost a count case yet, but it still may not be over as the school board can ask for the full Circuit Court to hear the case. SCOTUS may not be an option due to the June Bostock ruling authored by Justice Gorsuch. The appeals ruling only affects the 11th Circuit states of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.
Biden/Harris shout out Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden named California senator Kamala Harris as his VP candidate. His introduction included praise of her as a “pioneer in marriage equality.” She, in turn, gave what the campaign called, “A shout-out to LGBTQ+ people” when she said, “the LGBTQ Americans know that love is love.” As the attorney general of California,
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Harris refused to defend Proposition 8, which temporarily revoked marriage equality in the state in 2008.
COVID is writing Republican platforms The Republican national and state platforms will see little change in language from the previous ones. COVID distancing guidelines are keeping conventions from convening in person. This means any opposition to marriage or nondiscrimination for LGBT people will remain if that language was in previous platforms. The North Dakota GOP Executive Committee recently voted to disavow what sounds like a holdover from a platform from the Middle Ages opposing nondiscrimination laws and accusing LGBT people of “recruiting’ minors and infecting society with disease.” The national Republicans will use the same platform as 2016, which contained language specifying the definition of marriage, “Is of one man to one woman.” Officials said they didn’t want to open up the platform to a very small group of activists who may include even more strident language. The Republican presidential campaign cryptically commented that the platform was not something many campaigns “ran on.”
Ellen flap Lesbian pioneer Ellen DeGeneres, whose brand has been “to be kind,” is being raked over by allegations of racism, intimidation, and unsafe working conditions. Show-owner WarnerMedia ordered an investigation but said it does not involve DeGeneres. “It’s not about her, at all.” One complaint was the producers are not
taking precautions during the COVID pandemic after moving production out of LA and hiring an outside, non-union tech company to help DeGeneres tape remotely from her home. DeGeneres’ friend, Howard Stern, advised her to rebrand herself, suggested she tell staff, “So you think I’m a pr–k? I’m going to show you.” He then suggested DeGeneres should “try to work things out with her staff first.”
Emmy’s queer flap The Emmys are here, they’re queer, and we are sort of used to it. Schitt’s Creek, Killing Eve, and Dead to Me all have leading LGBTQ+ characters or storylines and are nominated for best show of 2020. Schitt’s Creek actors Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Dan Levy, and Annie Murphy are nominated in the comedy category. Killing Eve stars Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer are nominated actors in a drama series. Dead to Me actors Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini are also nominated in a drama series. Other nominees of LGBTQ+ note include Billy Porter (Pose), Zendaya (Euphoria), Laverne Cox (Orange Is the New Black), Jim Parsons (Hollywood), the Queer Eye hosts, the hilarious “bi-vampire” show What We Do in the Shadows, We’re Here and RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Arkansas purse flap A gay man says he faced anti-gay discrimination and rigid gender stereotypes when he went to a casino in Arkansas with his Louis Vuitton purse. Jordan Kirk tried to walk “purse first” into the casino, but the guard told him to leave his purse in his car. “Men don’t wear purses,” the security guard allegedly
Jordan Kirk, Facebook
told him. A supervisor said the policy is to ban all bags in the casino because of the possibility of hiding a bomb in the purse. Women were carrying their purses into the casino and a supervisor admitted that if the man was a woman it would be okay. The manager relented, but Kirk had to submit the purse to a search for explosives. The casino later apologized and gave him a roll of nickels. Said Kirk, “Who is going to blow up their Louis Vuitton on purpose?”
Massachusetts Dems Incumbent U. S. congressman Richard Neal, D-Mass., denies orchestrating accusations of sexual impropriety by his gay primary opponent, Alex Morse. U of Mass/Amherst College Democrats sent a letter, later published by the school newspaper, accusing Morse, a lecturer at the university from 2014 to 2019 and mayor of Holyoke, Mass., of using his “position of power … for romantic or sexual gain” in having relationships with students. Morse, elected mayor at age 22, admitted to meeting and dating students but said it was all consensual and age-appropriate. “I will not apologize for using gay
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dating apps and for having consensual sex with other adult men,” Morse told a local newspaper. Neal denied any role, but emails from the College Democrat club members show a different story. Chat logs and website reports show the author “felt conflicted” about the campaign against Morse but hoped Neal would give him an internship. The state Democratic Party will investigate after the primary, as the state party has a policy of staying out of primary elections.
Cartier accused of gay erasure in Chinese ads A print and video campaign’s use of the same visuals but different copy wreaks of “gay erasure” to satisfy censors in China. Cartier’s campaigns showcase pairs of people in a minute-long video spot: a straight couple dancing on a rooftop, two women holding hands and playing guitar, and two men bicycling and embracing one another all with a tagline, “How far would you go for love?” Text in the print ads connotes the same-sex couples’ relationships are strictly platonic. The visual with two men of about the same age in an intense gaze is captioned, “Father and son are also friends — happily sharing life’s journey.” and “Father and son are like brothers.” The director of China Rainbow Media Awards said the brand had good intentions by trying to circumvent Chinese censors. He opined, “Some may believe [Cartier] is just trying to make some ‘pink dollars,’ but I’m inclined to be more positive in thinking that they are supporting gay rights in a way … by raising our visibility through this kind of ads,” Gay relationships in China are not illegal but remain culturally taboo. Q
Court blocks Idaho law banning transgender girls and women in sports A federal judge today blocked Idaho’s law targeting transgender student-athletes, recognizing that “the Constitution must always prevail.” By granting the motion for a preliminary injunction, brought by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Idaho, Legal Voice, and Cooley LLP, girls and women who are transgender or intersex will continue to be able to participate in school sports in Idaho. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of Lindsay Hecox, a student at Boise State University who is transgender and had been planning to try out for the cross country team, and Jane Doe, a senior at Boise High School who is cisgender and concerned about being subjected to the law’s invasive “sex verification” testing. While the lawsuit is pending, the first outright ban on participation of transgender athletes anywhere in the world and the only statewide statute restricting the participation of transgender and intersex athletes in the country will not go into effect. “I feel a major sense of relief,” said Lindsay Hecox, who is preparing to try out for the track and cross country teams at BSU. “I love running, and part of what I enjoy about the sport is building relationships with a team. I’m a girl, and the right team for me is the girls’ team. It’s time courts recognize that and I am so glad that the court’s ruling does.” “Transgender people belong in Idaho, including on school sports teams,” said Ritchie Eppink, legal director for the ACLU of Idaho. “This decision will not only protect women and girls but also the Idaho economy as businesses have made it clear that they do not
want to support any attack on transgender students. This is a welcome first step, and our fight for Lindsay, Jane Doe and others impacted by this law is not over.” Even before the passage of the Idaho law enjoined today, Idaho already had one of the most restrictive policies in the country regulating the partici-
LGBT & HIV Project. “If politicians in other states attack transgender youth, they will face similar challenges.” Athletes including Billie Jean King, Megan Rapinoe, and Jason Collins have spoken out against Idaho’s law attacking transgender student-athletes and asked the NCAA to cancel March Madness tournaments
pation of transgender athletes in high school athletics. This restrictive policy required girls who are transgender to complete one year of hormone therapy as part of gender transition before competing in girls’ sports. While activities associations in other states have enacted a range of policies on the inclusion of transgender student-athletes, Idaho is the first state to pass a state law governing athletic participation and the only state to enact a sweeping ban on participation at all levels. “We are relieved that our clients, and all girls and women in Idaho, will be able to participate in sports without interference from this discriminatory law,” said Gabriel Arkles, senior staff attorney with the ACLU
scheduled for Idaho in 2021. “School sports are about participation. All women and girls should be able to play without invasive testing,” says Legal Voice’s Catherine West. “Idaho’s HB 500 violates both the Constitution and Title IX, and the court’s ruling today eloquently explains how it likely violates the equal protection rights not only of our clients but of all women and girl athletes in Idaho,” said Kathleen Hartnett of Cooley, LLP. In 2020, over 200 anti-LGBTQ laws were active in state legislatures, including dozens targeting transgender youth. The ACLU and its partners fought many of those and won, and will continue to fight for transgender and intersex students. Q
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Utah Pride announces Pride 2.0 in October — Dragging Main While the Utah Pride Festival wasn’t able to happen this year because of the Coronavirus pandemic, festival leaders announced the “first annual Utah Pride Road Rally” will take its place on October 11, National Coming Out Day. “Come celebrate with us on [National] Coming Out Day for the first annual Pride Road Rally where everyone is invited to come out to drag Main,” Utah Pride Center Executive Director Rob Moolman wrote in a statement. Due to the pandemic, the Utah Pride Center found itself needing to get creative this year to keep the center’s programs and services available. With social distancing and state guidelines, the standard festival couldn’t happen. Salt Lake City leaders and the Utah Department of Health signed off on this new concept. “Rather than decorated floats and tens of thousands of people packed onto seven blocks of downtown,
everyone in our community is invited to decorate their own cars and join the Road Rally on a long stretch of Main Street,” Moolman explained. “If you cannot join in your vehicle, you can watch the live stream on our website. This will allow people to join in on the fun safely.” “Dragging Main is an activity that has been passed down through the generations where people get in their cars, drive down a city’s Main Street and meet people,” Moolman said. “We want to bring that back and give you a chance to show your pride while doing it.” “From youth to the elderly, there are LGBTQ+ people at risk and need our support. Help us help them,” said Mona Stevens, Utah Pride Center board chair. Full details are still to be announced, but festival leaders wanted to make sure people save the Sunday, October 11 date for the event. Q
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Highland High apologizes for publishing anti-trans yearbook quote The Salt Lake City School District condemned and apologized for an anti-transgender quote from a graduating student published in this year’s edition of the Highland High School yearbook. The quote, from senior Daniel Totzke, reads: “There are only two genders and a lot of mental illness.” “This is a clear attack towards the trans community at Highland. As a member of the LQBTQ+, this was extremely offensive to me and many of the students at my school,” a student posted on Facebook (now removed) along with a photo of the student and yearbook quote. “This was extremely offensive to me and many of the students at my school,” the post continues. “I demand action to be taken against the student and the administrator that made it so hate speech could go into our 2020 yearbook.” It is unclear exactly how the controversial quote managed to make its way into the final yearbook without being caught by student editors, faculty yearbook advisors, and other administrators. “Unfortunately, one of the senior quotes in the yearbook included hate speech,” a statement from the school board reads. “Even more unfortunately, this quote was published in spite of the editing protocol in place for the yearbook.”
Interim Superintendent Larry Madden sent out his own statement, calling the quote “unacceptable.” “This yearbook quote is absolutely unacceptable and in no way reflective of the Salt Lake City School District, the value we place on every student, and the standards we strive to uphold. Let me make it clear that the Salt Lake City School District condemns hate speech in any form. I would also like to issue an apology to any students or community members who have suffered or felt attacked because of this detestable statement. To have something like this included in one of our high school yearbooks is abhorrent. We are committed to providing a safe and equitable learning environment for all students, including our LGBTQIA+ community. To our LGBTQIA+ and other marginalized students I say, please know how deeply your teachers, school administrators, and district leaders care about you and your well-being. This quote was offensive and inappropriate. The district will be conducting a thorough investigation into how this was allowed to happen, and I will be working closely with the new principal at Highland High School to make sure we review the yearbook editing process so that nothing like this ever happens again.” Newly-named Highland High School
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Principal Jeremy Chatterton called the quote an “attack.” “I want to echo Superintendent Madden’s apology and affirmation that this statement is in no way reflective of our beliefs or practices at Highland High School or in the Salt Lake City School District. The inclusion of this quote in the yearbook is more than just an administrative oversight; it is an affront, an attack on our Highland community and our LGBTQIA+ community in particular. As principal, I will not allow hate speech like this in my school community. While the student in question has graduated, I want to reassure community members that I will take the steps necessary to make sure something like this is never allowed to happen again. I know many in our community have been deeply hurt by this quote. We care about the mental well-being of our students and will make counselors available to any students who have been impacted by this statement and wish to speak to someone. Please email me at Jeremy.Chatterton@slcschools.org to set up an appointment with a counselor.” An investigation is ongoing into how the quote managed to evade scrutiny. The district will also be working with Chatterton to review the editing process to ensure a similar incident doesn’t happen in the future. Q
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Ogden waiter receives tip with ‘Get Out of America, Fag!’ written on it An Ogden man got an extraordinary tip during his shift at an Ogden restaurant. But not extraordinary in a good way. On the five-dollar bill was scrawled, “Get out of America, Fag!” “I got this tip today while serving an older couple and their middle-aged son. They were all wearing Trump 2020 hats,” Ashton Bindrup posted on his Facebook wall alongside two photos of the bill. “I can’t imagine hating someone enough to go out of my way to write a slur on the tip I’m going to give them. They asked me for the pen, by the way. Guess I shouldn’t have walked away after giving it to them.” Bindrup has decided to keep the bill, because he doesn’t want someone else to see it and be hurt by it. He also addressed his Facebook post to Trump supporters, whom he says he loves “even if I don’t support your candidate.” “It’s for you because of these pictures and these stories. Stories like mine. Stories of people being targeted at their place of business. These are what ‘liberals’ or ‘Democrats’ see and hear and think about when they meet other Trump supporters. He says he understands that not all Trump supporters are “this way,” but noted that he experienced hate — the kind
of hate he says he often sees in the Trump constituency. “And I think you need to ask yourselves why it is so many of Trump’s other supporters speak and act with hate and with discrimination. Because if you believe differently, then these individuals are giving you a bad name. They are giving the Trump Presidency a bad name,” he wrote. “And I hate to say it, but as open-minded as I try to be, the next time I meet a Trump supporter, I will have a hard time not remembering that five-dollar bill I got today,” he continued. “I will have a hard time not immediately worrying about whether or not I’m perceived as ‘gay’ or ‘straight’ (not that it should matter).” In time, he says, he knows this memory will fade. “I’m good at letting go of the hard things and moving on through forgiveness,” he wrote. “But right now while it’s fresh, I hope my words reach out to some of you — my dear family and friends — and I hope that you (at the very least) become more mindful of how you present yourselves and what you say both online and in person. Because we all have the ability to effect change in a group for the better, but it’s change that can only happen through example.” Q
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Salvador Oregon-Torres, winner of a Kathy Phelps Equality Education Fund Scholarship
Three students chosen to receive LGBTQ equality scholarships
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The Utah Pride Center, Utah LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, and Equality Utah joined together for a third year distribute scholarships for students seeking higher education to advance LGBTQ causes. One student is awarded a $3,000 cash scholarship and two students a $1,000 scholarship. They are awarded based on student achievements in activism, leadership, learning, or volunteerism. Phelps, who regularly donates to state LGBT charities, said that she got the idea for the scholarship when she realized the stress students were under “trying to further their education, work, and pay for school.” “I was a B and C student but fortunate enough to have resources to pay for my education,” she said. “With our current [presidential] administration, I think it’s more important than ever to fight for equality, whether that is by an LGBTQ student or as an ally.” This year, according to Mindy Young of Equality Utah, 65 students applied for the scholarships. “There were just so many awesome applicants we couldn’t [easily]narrow it down,” Young said. “The three who were chosen were
all super dynamic in their interviews and have all done a lot of important work in our community.” The $3,000 scholarship was awarded to SALVADOR OREGON-TORRES, who has worked with many parts of the Utah Pride Center over the past several years, including organizing Queer Prom and MasQueerade, the gendeRevolution and B+ conferences, and cultural competency training. He also worked with Comunidades Unidas, a non-profit organization that works to enrich the Latinx Community. He is attending Utah Valley University in the Political Science Department. AUBRIANA SLAUGHTER won a $1,000 scholarship. She has worked at the University of Utah Women’s Resource Center and earned the Salt Lake Rotary’s Service Above Self Award. She is a Social Work major at the University of Utah. AUSTIN MILLER won the other $1,000 scholarship. He was Assistant Executive Director for Ogden OUTreach and has volunteered for Equality Utah. He also hosts a podcast that highlights queer art and music. He is in the Nursing Program at Salt Lake Community College. Q
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Former LDS Church psychologist issues apology to LGBTQ people Mormon mental health professional Dr. Allen E. Bergin issued an apology in July for his part in perpetuating anti-LGBTQ teachings in his roles with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also called upon other church members, fellow psychologists, and political leaders to “apologize and compensate” LGBTQ people “who have been afflicted by our treatment of them when they should have been embraced Dr. Allen E. Bergin and loved.” The apology came as a response to a document prepared by the producers of Latter Gay Stories that chronicles the statements of church leaders over the years, including those of Bergin. Bergin joined the Brigham Young University Department of Psychology in 1972 and served as a bishop, stake president, and member of the General Sunday School Board. Then he served as president of the Society for Psychotherapy Research from 1974–75, and president of the Association of Mormon Counselors and Psychotherapists in 1980. Church leaders often quoted Bergin as an authority on homosexuality within Mormonism. His research promoted LDS teachings that homosexuality was a compulsion, that it led to bondage and labeled homosexuals as bizarre. He also claimed that the average gay man had between 500–1,000 partners. In his words: “As a mental health professional and psychology professor from 1961 until my retirement in 1999, I was among the traditionalists who believed that homosexuality was a disorder and that it could be treated and changed to some degree. I was a professor of some renown at Columbia University and Brigham Young University, and my views have carried influence in some circles. “I regret being part of a professional,
religious, and public culture that marginalized, pathologized, and excluded LGBT persons. As a father of two gay sons and grandfather of a gay grandson, I’ve been given a personal education that has been painful and enlightening. “To the general public, I say — Stop. Listen. Learn. Love. To myself, my posterity, my colleagues, my fellow church members, and my political leaders, I say — apologize and compensate those of God’s children who have been afflict-
ed by our treatment of them when they should have been embraced and loved. Give them their rightful place in society and in the church so they may be nurtured and progress in their spiritual, social, and professional lives. “We are all children of the same Heavenly Parents, who I believe love and value all their children, regardless of sexual orientation, and who grants each of us the same opportunity to receive Jesus Christ’s Grace. I will continue my efforts for the rest of my days to receive that Grace for myself and to point others toward His healing and redeeming power.” Q
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Q mmunity Salt Lake Goodtime Bowling League signups Aug. 30 The Salt Lake Goodtime Bowling League will be signing up bowlers for the 2020–21 year. The league will be run slightly differently this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They will hold two separate leagues of 13 weeks each. You may choose to bowl one or both. The first league starts September 13, 2020, and ends before Christmas. The second begins January 10, 2021, and ends in late April. They will follow state guidelines for safety by enforcing masks in and out of the center and while moving around inside. Signups are Sunday, Aug. 30, 6–9 p.m. at Bonwood Bowling Alley, 2500 S Main St.
A virtual walk against AIDS Aug. 29 The Salt Lake AIDS Walk goes virtual this year on Aug. 29, continuing the aim of reducing stigma while encouraging a healthier community. This is an annual fundraiser to benefit the Utah AIDS Foundation. Walkers are encouraged to raise money through their networks to play a direct role in providing Utahns with critical sexual health services. Challenge your friends to start a team and encourage them to raise more than the rest. Given the unprecedented global pandemic of COVID-19, our world as we know it has shifted. While this year’s Salt Lake AIDS Walk will be their first virtual event dedicated to providing everyone with an opportunity to come together in new ways and participate in something truly enjoyable and impactful. More importantly, one thing hasn’t changed — our community’s ability to come together
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and support one another during difficult times. Almost 40 years after the beginning of the HIV epidemic, our resilient community knows how to courageously lead the charge, fight challenges, and come out on top. Register at utahaids.org
Virtual Transgender Health Seminar: Transmasculine Surgeries The University of Utah Health Transgender Health Program invites you to a free virtual seminar to learn how their gender-affirming expert surgeons — Cori Agarwal, Isak Goodwin, and Marisa Adelman — can help you through your body affirming journey. They will discuss the topics of mastectomies (top surgery), phalloplasty/metoidioplasty (bottom surgeries), and hysterectomies. Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020 at 6 p.m. RSVP at uofuhealth.org/seminartransgenderhealth.
Suicide Prevention Summer Speaker Series’ final speaker The Utah Pride Center’s Suicide Prevention & Services Program is presenting their final speaker of the Summer Speaker Series: Carli Bushoven Sometimes people who seem to have their lives together are actually falling apart under the surface. Living in an age of social media and intense comparison, many young adults today are focused on keeping up or achieving unrealistic goals of perfection. At just 19, Madison Holleran, known to have both beauty and brains, had also earned a coveted spot on UPenn’s Ivy League track team and won multiple academic and athletic awards. It seemed like she “had it all.” Madison’s pursuit of unattainable levels of “per-
fection” exacerbated her mental health struggles with anxiety and depression. She struggled immensely with her sense of failure and ultimately ended her life in January 2014. Madison’s older sister, Carli challenges others to ask themselves: Is this life my pursuit of happiness or my pursuit of perfection? Passionate for suicide awareness and prevention, Carli shares Madison’s story in an effort to inspire others to speak out about their mental health struggles and end the stigma that prevented her sister from getting the help that she needed when she needed it.
QUAC to host annual IGLA 2021 aquatics tournament In May of 2021, Queer Utah Aquatic Club will host the annual International Gay & Lesbian Aquatic Championships in Salt Lake City, Utah — where masters athletes from all over the world will compete in the only international LGBTQ+ inclusive aquatics tournament. Events like these are very meaningful to the LBGTQ+ community, and especially for those from countries in which people still face oppression for living their authentic lives. In 2016, a few of the competing teams, the IGLA Board, and a QUAC team member made it possible for Ugandan swimmers to participate in the tournament. In Uganda, same-sex sexual acts are still criminalized. Just before the competition, two of the Ugandan swimmers were arrested and jailed for participating in a local Pride event. To make this event possible — and fabulous — QUAC asks for your kind and appreciated tax-deductible donations. To donate, visit giveoutday.org. Funds will be used for logistics of putting on the event and helping those across the world participate in Salt Lake City. Q
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Former Weber State basketball player pushing LGBTQ love as a Blazer Former Weber State University guard Damian Lillard is pushing his love for the LGBTQ community and other social issues as he plays on the Portland Trail Blazers basketball team. Lillard wore a special “Pride” colorway of his signature Adidas Dame 6 shoes during a game against the Boston Celtics. Lillard is one of Damian Lillard many NBA players using the league’s restart as a platform for social justice. His jersey reads “How Many More,” rather than his name, referencing Black men killed by police.
In 2017, the Blazers guard said he was the victim of anti-gay slurs after a game in Minnesota. Cellphone video showed Lillard confronting the hecklers, asking, “Which one of you all said that?” When a woman pointed out who yelled it, that person apologized. Athlete Ally, a non-profit group trying to end homophobia in sports, stated after the incident: “The use of these homophobic slurs have no place in sports or society,” executive director Hudson Taylor said. “Fan sections remain one of the most unsafe places for the LGBTQ community, and will remain so if these slurs aren’t met with condemnation and continued education.” During the NBA hiatus, Lillard marched in Portland for Black Lives Matter. In an
interview with GQ, he said he fears being pulled over by police, especially after a similar incident in Nevada on his way to Weber State in a car he just bought in Oakland. “I make hundreds of millions of dollars. I’m a professional athlete and all these things, and when I see a cop get behind me, my concern is never the ticket. When people are getting pulled over, they’re like, ‘Man, I’m gonna get a ticket.’ I don’t think about the ticket! I think, ‘I don’t know what’s gonna happen.’ I literally think that. And that’s a problem, man. Because I know I’m not the only one.” He is releasing rap songs under the name Dame D.O.L.L.A., including several tracks about racial justice and systemic racism. Lillard started for the WSU Wildcats in Ogden from 2009 to 2012. He was chosen by the Blazers as the sixth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, and he won the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award. He was named an All-Star five times and became a member of the All-NBA First Team in 2018. Before the pandemic, Dillard was guaranteed more money than any other player in basketball history: $258 million. Q Lillard’s shoe line is at adidas.com/us/damian_lillard.
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Group certifying Utah LGBTQ-owned businesses The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce is helping to identify LGBTQ businesses through a distinguished certification. A Provo-based business is one of only 11 in the state to have earned the distinction. “The chamber works to expand economic opportunities and procurement initiatives for LGBTQ business owners in all 50 states. The community is now included in supply chains in every major industry across the Fortune 500 because of these efforts,” the NGLCC Senior Vice President Jonathan Lovitz said. The chamber is currently the nation’s largest LBGTQ advocacy force, working to ensure opportunities are open to gender, romantic, and sexual minorities in business at every level of government and every element of business, from the supply chain to the workplace, and internship. “We are working to make sure everyone lives up to what we know to be the driving principle behind our work, which is diversity and inclusion is good for business,” Lovitz said. The benefits of diversity have two major impacts: social and economic. “Socially, when communities pass nondiscrimination orders and intentionally include people in opportunities to access the American Dream where they live, that place becomes much more attractive because they are open for business,” he said. Across the United States, 1.4 million business owners identify as a part of the LGBTQ community, adding about $1.7 trillion to the economy every year. LGBTQ consumers spend $917 billion on goods and services every year. “We are watching the corporations that have our back, the cities, and states who are looking to protect and then expand opportunities for us and then reward them with our economic return on that investment in the well-being of our community,” Lovitz said. More diversity in the supply chain also means more competition. When there is more competition, there is inherently more innovation, Lovitz said, and that drives industries forward and usually lowers prices. With lower costs, there is more money available to be reinvested into communities through health, public safety, and education programs, which are necessary for contin-
ued growth. “The more that we ensure the playing field is level and that everyone has an opportunity to be on that playing field, fairly, is how we live,” he said. “It’s how our economy gets stronger; it’s how our society becomes more cohesive and respectful and tolerant of one another; it’s how we develop the future of so many of our workforces and industries.” The NGLCC’s current network of 60 affiliates across five continents works to promote the idea that “an economy is made stronger when everyone is given the ability to freely and fairly participate in it.” Particularly in the U.S., efforts have become increasingly important in recent years as many believed marriage equality resolved all of those issues. That, however, is not the case, Lovitz said. While the U.S. Supreme Court secured marriage equality in 2015, it wasn’t until June 2020 that LGBTQ employees received workplace protections under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. “Not even 60 days ago, it was still legal to be fired in 28 states for putting your spouse’s photo on your desk,” Lovitz said. “Thank goodness the Supreme Court made sure our communities are protected in the workplace should they face issues there, but there’s still so much that is holding back the full potential of the LGBT community in our economy.” In 35 states, an LGBTQ small business owner who has applied for funds can be turned away by a bank manager or loan officer based on “we do not give money to your kind.” Lovitz said this is because there are no federal nondiscrimination and credit protections. To help even the playing field and encourage networking and support, the NGLCC established a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Business Enterprise certifica-
tion. The chamber is the exclusive certifying body for LGBTQ companies. LGBTBE certification is one of the most useful tools. To earn the certification, a business needs to be 51 percent owned by someone identified as a part of the LGBTQ+ community. The certification is recognized nationwide and gives businesses access to direct contracting opportunities with major corporations and opens doors to education and mentorship programs, scholarship funds, and grants that help grow business owners in the LBGTQ+ communities. It also streamlines the loan process as banks and loan officers can see that certified businesses are vetted by a trusted organiza-
tion, namely the NGLCC. “Without your certification, you don’t have a key to get in the room where the table is that you want to be seated at,” Lovitz said. “It’s all about leveraging where we are in this moment as a community and marrying that with what opportunities lie ahead for a whole new working world where, especially as things continue in this postCOVID era, the same kind of equal access to opportunity continues to be pervasive in our communities.” Ann Atkin has lived in Provo for 31 years with her wife, their six children, and 22 grandchildren. A little over four years ago, Atkin and her wife founded Meth Mob Decontamination after learning about the high rate of methamphetamine use in homes. The company specializes in the decontamination of homes and properties where meth has been made or used and provides education courses on the effects of meth use. In Dec. 2019, the company earned two certifications as a women-owned business and an LGBTQ-owned business. Meth Mob Decontamination became the third business
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in the state and the first in the county to earn the LGBTBE certification. For Atkin, the certification was an opportunity to further market her growing business. “I think it comes down to: people want to do business with decent people, they don’t necessarily mean to be bigoted or prejudiced,” she said. “So I’m a woman, so I’m gay, there’s so much more to me than just those things.” The application process was rigorous, and rightfully so, she said. The certification is more than ownership. The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Atkin said, is looking to make sure the businesses that earn their certification are legitimate entities that support their communities. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, American Airlines, one of the corporate partners of the NGLCC, reached out to the Provo-based company. The airline was looking to hire an LGBTBE certified business to sanitize their planes during the pandemic. Atkins said she was appreciative of the experience; however, Meth Mob Decontamination does not offer commercial sanitization services and instead referred them to another local company. “It’s kind of cool to get a phone call from other partners that are LGBTQ that say they want to shop inside of their network of people first,” she said. Overall, she said, the certification hasn’t significantly impacted her business. While she is thankful for the certification, Atkin said it serves manufacturing and suppliers more than service-based companies like Meth Mob Decontamination. The average small business dies around the 5-year mark, she said, while the average LGBTQ business is 12 years or older. This is largely due to an element of strength, resilience, and independence across the LGBTQ communities that
was necessary for them. Lovitz said the NGLCC continues to support the development of a network that uses the business network as a force for good in local, state, and national economies. As businesses across the country begin to recover from the coronavirus pandemic and economic recession, now is the perfect time for cities, especially in Utah, to think about what they need to do to help their communities, Lovitz said. One of those ways, he said, is to help every community succeed and intentionally include historically marginalized communities. “If a place like Salt Lake City wants to see its best economic days ahead of it and wants to see its small businesses recover, making sure LGBTQ small businesses are included in their recovery plans means including one of the strongest but often most underrepresented forces in the country,” Lovitz said. Currently, the NGLCC has over 1,400 certified businesses and over 260 corporate partnerships. Business owners can begin the certification process online.One of those ways, he said, is to help every community succeed and intentionally include historically marginalized communities. “If a place like Salt Lake City wants to see its best economic days ahead of it and wants to see its small businesses recover, making sure LGBTQ small businesses are included in their recovery plans means including one of the strongest but often most underrepresented forces in the country,” Lovitz said. Currently, the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce has over 1,400 certified businesses and over 260 corporate partnerships. Business owners can begin the certification process online. Q For more information on the LGBT Business Enterprise certification, go to nglcc.org/get-certified
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quotes “I just knew that when I saw Michael Jackson on the television screen once, it was, like, ‘That’s it! That’s what I’m doing for the rest of my life.” I never questioned that.’” —Keiynan Lonsdale
“I would never have thought this would have blown up so big. I would have never thought I would be denied entrance to a place of business because I choose to carry a murse. It’s 2020, I thought we had come a long way for equality and inclusivity for people of all race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.” —Jordan Kirk
“Every day is something new. It’s kind of like Hurricane Katrina. Some days I’m recording or going shopping or having a group orgy. Maybe today I’ll go to Louis Vuitton and have sex with a straight guy. I have to balance my time.” —Jeffree Star
“The (Cartier) campaign was much better when it stayed in the area of ambiguity. Now it makes me feel like being gay is something to be ashamed of.” —Anonymous
“See life grabbed my ears and said/Boy listen/Don’t you know that you’re a lion/Don’t you know you’re from the kingdom of the stars?” —Lyrics from Keiynan Lonsdale’s Rainbow Boy album
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guest editorial
The nation should learn from Utah in LGBTQ protections BY STEVE URQUHART
Last month,
the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling affirming that LGBTQ Americans are protected from employment discrimination under federal law. It’s a major step that brings our country toward the more perfect union that we’re forever striving for — but as we celebrate, LGBTQ people in 29 states remain vulnerable to discrimination in housing, healthcare, and public places. There’s a way to end this patchwork of protections and cover LGBTQ people in every sphere of life; it falls to Congress: Our representatives and senators must step up and pass full, comprehensive federal protections for the LGBTQ community. I urge members of Congress, including Sen. Romney and Sen. Lee here in Utah, to look no further than our home state for proof that nondiscrimination protections make our communities safer and stronger. In 2015, Utah passed historic nondiscrimination protections. This month marks five years of the law taking effect. Protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination was right for Utah — and it’s right for all Americans. I hope that my experience can inspire other elected officials to act. As a Republican state senator from a conservative part of the state, I wasn’t the most likely leader to sponsor landmark LGBTQ-related legislation. To be honest, when I was first approached with the idea, I really hadn’t thought much about the issue. A few years later, I became a supporter and lead sponsor of a Utah Senate bill to protect LGBTQ people from discrimination. In 2015, when Utah became the first Republican-controlled state legislature in the nation to pass LGBTQ protections, I knew we were making a difference for the people of our state. It’s the proudest moment in my 16 years as a legislator. For me, things really began to change when my oldest daughter, then a high school senior, became the head of the school’s Gay-Straight Alliance, which fo-
cused on issues of inequality for LGBTQ youth. I was surprised, but when I asked about her motivations she explained that she wanted to stand up for her gay friends who were being bullied. I was inspired by her kindness. As I got to know my daughter’s friends, I realized I couldn’t tell who was gay or straight, and that I didn’t care. I just cared that they were good friends for my daughter. Before, I had thought about the LGBTQ community through a limited prism; if I knew someone was gay, I instinctively defined them through that one identity. My daughter’s friends helped change that. They helped me see beyond the labels. I became a sponsor of Utah’s LGBTQ nondiscrimination bill in 2013. I’ve never been afraid of taking on tough issues and knew there could be a backlash. But I also knew my constituents were good people who, with sincere dialogue, could come to see the issue the way I had — or at least respect my need to take a stand. And I was right. Over the years I was inspired by everyday LGBTQ people and advocates who shared their stories so their representatives could better understand them. I was introduced to people from the transgender community. As I heard their stories of discrimination, I couldn’t help but feel compassion. The Utah bill to protect LGBTQ people from discrimination was passed in March of 2015, voted in with overwhelming bipartisan margins. Passing the law showed that we value Utah’s LGBTQ community. I am sure it has saved lives and made the state a better place. This fight has been the journey of a lifetime. Now, there’s one last step to grant LGBTQ Utahns the full dignity and respect they deserve: full and clear protections at the federal level. It’s time for Congress to finish the job. Q Steve Urquhart, a lawyer in Salt Lake City and a board member for Equality Utah, served in the Utah Legislature from 2001 to 2016, representing the St. George area. This article first appeared in The Salt Lake Tribune.
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who’s your daddy
Raising butterflies BY CHRISTOPHER KATIS
When we
first moved to Utah, there was a little boy in Gus’s kindergarten class, and our families became friendly. Today, that little boy is an impressive 17-yearold young woman. When I asked Cassidy when she first realized that the gender she was assigned at birth was wrong she said, “For almost as long as I can remember I have had a feeling of wrongness, but I only figured out this was related to gender at around 12.” This self-awareness at such a young age isn’t uncommon. According to a study led by Cedars-Sinai urologist Maurice Garcia, MD, director of the hospital’s Transgender Surgery and Health Program, 73 percent of transgender women and 78 percent of transgender men first experienced gender dysphoria by age seven. Dr. Garcia says, “All of the study participants came to my clinic asking for surgery, and every one of them experienced gender dysphoria around the same early age. What they experienced earlier in life was not a ‘passing phase,’ which is often suggested about transgender people seeking surgery. They knew exactly when their gender dysphoria started. It’s like
asking about your mom’s birthdate – you just know it.” Cassidy agrees. “Knowing what I wanted all that time has freed up much more space in my mind than I thought to pursue the rainbow of things that bring me joy.” For anyone who thinks it’s a passing phase or trans kids are confused, she suggests googling “Are trans people valid.” Thankfully, attitudes are changing. A 2017 poll by the American Osteopathic Association showed that 53 percent of adults would support their teenager’s gender change. Family support is important. Cassidy’s parents and her siblings accepted her with open arms. They chose to tell other family members in person whenever possible, and Cassidy’s mom, Beckie, called those who weren’t local. She said, “I was honestly worried about telling my sister, as she is deeply tied to her Christian faith, and I wasn’t sure how she would react. She reacted with love.” Dr. Garcia added, “Like their kids, parents often feel that they’re the only ones going through this experience. It’s our job to provide guidance and reassurance for them, too. Both should be aware of how
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care providers and parents can help, and the many options available for children early on and when they enter adulthood to successfully navigate the future more confidently and smoothly.” Cassidy’s courage seems to have rubbed off. Her 9-year-old younger sibling, Em, identifies as non-binary. In coming out early in life – a text to mom late one night – Cassidy seems to have made her life easier, too. “Since I transitioned so early in my puberty, I passed pretty much instantly.” Beckie adds, “It’s terrifying, as the parent of a trans child to know they are going to grow up with a target on their backs for people with hearts full of hate. Luckily Cassidy ‘passes.’ I hate that ‘passing’ for one gender or another is a necessity for people to feel a modicum of safety.” But it still took Cassidy a while to be comfortable using the women’s restroom in public, and Beckie had to remind her not to stand to pee in the stalls in women’s restrooms. Beckie offered some great advice to any parent with a transgender child: “Look at your amazing, strong kids and do not grieve. You have been gifted the chance to raise a butterfly. You thought you had a caterpillar. You were wrong. Wrap them up in your arms. Love them long and love them hard and then watch them fly.” Q Thanks to Cassidy, Beckie, and Em for sharing their story. Learn more about Dr. Garcia’s work at cedars-sinai.org/ programs/transgender-surgery-and-health.html
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SEPTEMBER, 2020 |
ISSUE 315 | Qsaltlake.com
creep of the month
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National Straight Pride Coalition BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI
Well,
well, well, if it isn’t another week in Horror Town, USA. That’s just about any town in the country right now, but it’s definitely all of the towns in Florida. Every time I watch the news I feel like I’m suddenly going blind and deaf, but then I realize that my eyes and my ears have simply burrowed deeper into my skull to save themselves. It’s the dumbest time to be alive! And also, it turns out, one of the most challenging as COVID-19 continues to bring this “great” country to its knees day after day. Our failure to contain this virus is epic and the number of people getting sick and dying is growing every day. It didn’t have to be like this! But we elected the dumbest and most corrupt man in America as our “leader” and we are truly getting everything he promised us: “I’m a new kind of Republican! All of the racism, none of the brains.” A criminal without a mastermind. So anyone shocked by the epic failure of this administration has truly not been paying attention since, well, Donald Trump’s entire disgusting existence. Meanwhile, across the country, the Mask War rages on even though it isn’t a war and people who refuse to wear masks are stupid and their disregard for reality is literally killing people. I am lucky in that I work from home. When I do go out in public I wear a mask even though it makes my face sweat a lot, because my face sweating is gross, but death is forever. California has one of the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases in the country right now, so it only makes sense that a so-called “straight pride” group wants to have a public gathering in Modesto on Aug. 29 to celebrate their straightness, COVID be damned.
Inspired by last year’s straight Pride demonstration, which according to Pink News drew 20 participants and 200 counter-protesters, the National Straight Pride Coalition is making this an annual thing now, apparently. Not sure why they put “straight Pride” front-and-center when it seems like their main focus is anti-abortion. On the front page their website reads in all caps: “Save the next generation of babies” alongside lots of photos of babies. Underneath is their “motto” that is, “Normal, Natural, Healthy, Sane.” In fact, they’re holding their straight Pride event at the Planned Parenthood in Modesto, just like they did last year. They call PP “not only the fountainhead of both institutional racism and mass racial murder in our nation but [also], due to its extreme anti-Christian and pro-Satanism religious beliefs, a major driving force behind the attack of the LGBT War Machine upon our nation, most especially of children.” They go on to accuse PP of “promoting the insanity of ‘gender fluidity,’ the psychosis of ‘transgender’ or any other sexual pathology.” A flyer for the event posted on ABC10.com reads, “Celebrate life! All lives matter!” It also calls Planned Parenthood “the biggest killers of blacks in the history of our nation,” accusing the organization of genocide. However, included on the NSPC’s foundational principles of life on their website, alongside Heterosexuality and Christianity, is “caucasians,” which they define as “the biological majority of the historical developers and founders of Western Civilization.” But don’t worry! They also say, “Christ loves and values everyone.” Even the Black people this nice racist group is
trying to save apparently. “We have a celebration of life in all of its aspects: masculinity; femininity; the natural family of man, woman, and children; children born and unborn; Western civilization; Christianity — everything which builds the culture of life,” NSPC founder Don Grundmann (pictured above) told ABC10. A very tightly focused celebration. Can’t wait to see that on a T-shirt. Just as last year, there is a counter-protest in the works. “We decided that we needed to stand up and fight back against this hate in our own community, because we can’t just ignore it,” Zola Hayes of MoPride Inc. told ABC10. I understand the sentiment, but considering that last year the protesters outnumbered the straight Pride group, this counter-protest seems especially unwise during the COVID-19 epidemic. While I certainly hope that MoPride folks have the sense to wear masks and protest as safely as possible, something tells me that we can’t trust the NSPC folks to do the same. They don’t seem especially normal, natural, healthy or sane. On their website NSPC urges: “Click the botton [sic] below to aid our many War activities your [sic] very needed and deeply appreciated non-tax deductable [sic] contributions/donations.” If you truly want to help babies, this isn’t the best use of your money. I suggest donating to an organization that provides “vital reproductive health care, sex education and information to millions of people worldwide” at plannedparenthood.org. Q D’Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian living in Michigan 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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Love, Simon star
Keiynan Lonsdale
talks Rainbow Boy and embracing his Black queer identity BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI
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Once
Keiynan Lonsdale made no apologies for who he is, the music followed suit. The star of the CW’s The Flash and 2018’s gay teen comedy Love, Simon celebrates his Black queer identity on his 14-track anthemic solo debut Rainbow Boy. Dance-pop song “Gay Street Fighter” is an audacious strut of a rally cry, proclaiming that even God is gay. And with a shout out to “my non-binary bitches,” “White Noise” and its buoyant groove lifts the stories of Black people that have fallen through the cracks. Lonsdale’s album comes at the same time as Love, Victor, the Love, Simon spinoff on Hulu. In the series, the 28-yearold Aussie star reprises his role as quiet high-schooler Bram and becomes instrumental in Victor’s journey to authenticity. When I recently connected with Lonsdale during a Zoom call, he was riding out the last two days of his mandatory 14-day quarantine in a hotel in Australia. At one point, the phone rang. And then it rang again. “Don’t mind me,” Lonsdale said, laughing. “I’m in the Australian quarantine right now, and so, actually, they call and check on you each day.” In quarantine, Lonsdale has been able to “take stock of the album release, the state of the world…” He laughs again. “And the state of myself.” Were you feeling as defiant as the music on this album when you recorded it, or was it a personal manifestation? Yeah, I was 100 percent feeling just as defiant. The songs were written, for the most part, pretty easily. There was so much that was ready to be expressed. And I think the momentum kept building, because I hadn’t felt that empowered to be able to write and make music that was so unapologetic. It felt really, really ripe. When did you feel you could be unabashedly yourself in your music? There was definitely one moment; it was three years exactly before I released it, where I had this realization that the best way for me to create would be to hold absolutely nothing back. I realized I was in control of the songs that I would write, and it would be a matter of what the writing led with, or staying in this sort of fear mindset that I had my whole life. And for good reason. But it felt kind of like a spell was broken, and I was like, “I can say this shit, I can sing this shit.” (Laughs) In fact, it’s
PHOTO: CLIFFORD PRINCE KING
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what sparked me to realize that I could have my own unique voice. Before that I would say that I spent a lot of time trying to be like others, but always wanting to have the gall to be able to be my own [person]. But I didn’t know what that meant. So it was nice to have that spell broken. So then being able to mentor a younger gay person on Love, Victor and remind him that there’s no one way to be LGBTQ, what did that feel like for you? It was great to be able to play a role that could share that knowledge, because it’s something that I think each of us have needed to hear at one time: that you are still the one that gets to define who you are. There is no one way, and as much as we like to paint people with the same brush, it’s just not how it works. So I think it sends an important message. I’m glad that’s the route they went with with the (lead) character. Going back to the fear you said you felt when you were younger, before you came out: How much of that had to do with you being a Black queer person? Yeah, it had a lot to do with that. I didn’t hear and I still don’t hear … [there’s] a lack of music that proclaims same-sex love. What’s ultimately needed is that it’s normalized; that hearing a guy sing about a guy or singing about a girl, they can become one in the same and not something that is conflicting or jarring or uncomfortable, or something that people have to avoid. Photographer Mark Clennon, who has been sharing images of the Black Lives Matter protests and demonstrations across New York City, described sharing Black stories as “whimsical defiance” in a recent interview with Interview magazine. For you, what does it feel like to be sharing your perspective and story as a Black queer person during our current racial justice movement? It’s both empowering and exhausting. I think a lot of Black people would likely feel this way too, because it’s a story we’ve lived with our entire lives. For a lot of us, we’ve expressed it for a while. You know, I wrote a whole album about my experience, and I wrote the album, like, two years ago. So, it’s coming out now and it’s amazing on one hand that people are listening in a different way than they were before. That provides me with a lot of hope on some days. On other days you just want to live your life. You want to be able to live your life without having to explain it all the time. And so I think that’s
where it’s important to have the balance of doing the fight and also knowing, How do you heal at the same time? Take care of yourself? So, yeah. It’s hard to describe. I’m assuming the song “White Noise” was written a couple of years ago too. During the song, you sing, “All the white noise that we just don’t need, you better move over.” What kind of significance does the song take on now in the midst of this uprising? It has reminded me of the necessity of it. I was of the mind where I felt like maybe this song was too on the nose, but then, clearly not. (Laughs) There are a lot of people who don’t understand the importance of this, and I wanted to approach that song with a level of joy and invitation, to be able to point out an issue, pretty clear as day, yet to say that there’s a way forward. I suppose everyone has a different way of how they share their message, and with that song I wanted to kind of teach — and with the album, in general — through song and dance. You taking pride in your Black heritage on “Ancient One” is a good example of that. One-hundred percent. Because I think the goal of life is to celebrate that we are here, and that we get to share this experience. It’s important to have reminders that there is a lot to this existence, and that it can be something that is full of rhythm and full of mystery and full of celebration. Love, Victor has been getting attention for its diversity, something many people thought Love, Simon lacked. What are your feelings on how the show and the movie handled representation? I haven’t seen the show in its entirety yet, so I look forward to that. But that was definitely one thing I thought was exciting about this show. When anything is getting a spin-off, you get a little bit worried and you’re hoping that it’s done the right way. But I appreciated that it was taking a turn from the movie and moving forward, taking further steps. In one way, I’m really proud of Love, Simon and how things were represented, but I’m not unaware of the fact that that was one step and that there are still many that need to be taken. As people also said, this is one specific telling of what it is for one kind of person to grow up gay in a fairly accepting environment, in a sort of privileged position. And those are conversations to be had. I’m glad that the movie was both celebrated yet also a topic of
discussion of, “How do we keep going?” When you accepted your MTV Movie award for “Best Kiss” for Love, Simon in 2018, what was it like to get on stage as an out queer person and in a dress? It was super weird because I had come out a few weeks after we’d filmed (Love, Simon), so I was out for only 12 months by the time the movie was out. Then I was doing all these interviews and speeches; it was really strange because I only just came out. I was kind of very much in my own experience trying to figure a lot of stuff out. But you seemed to have known what you were doing when you got on that stage in that dress. (Laughs) Yeah, well … I was just trying my best to listen to the spiritual aspect of it and that’s what allowed me the confidence to wear what I wanted. How did you feel up there? I felt amazing. I was really nervous. I didn’t know what I was going to say until I started walking up. It’s a surreal kind of experience. But I was over the moon, to be honest. It felt like a dream. And I felt really supported in that moment. And yeah, it was quite magical. I felt magical. Did you see the crowd reactions? They were so into your speech. I definitely heard them. It was really exhilarating. I see how you affect a lot of LGBTQ youth, and to that end, I wondered what you think being out and playing Kid Flash has meant to both LGBTQ and people-of-color communities? It’s meant a lot of things. Because at first it was met with a lot of celebration, but I was also met with thousands of racist comments online the day that it was announced. Same thing when I came out. To be met with such celebration but then also the opposite, it’s a funny juxtaposition. But I am proud. I’m happy that Kid Flash is a superhero and the message I know that a lot of kids have been getting is: They’ve got to watch me as a Black man play a superhero, and then they compare it with the fact that I’m an out queer Black man who plays a superhero. We weren’t taught you could do that back in the day. And so if that empowers kids to know they can be limitless, then that’s the best thing ever. 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.
26 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | COMICS
Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 315 | SEPTEMBER, 2020
PUZZLES | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 27
SEPTEMBER, 2020 | ISSUE 315 | Qsaltlake.com
No Longer a Young Man
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: Easy
9
2
4 6 7 8 9 1 8 5 7 4 3 4 6 5 2 7 6
9 4
8 5
7 2
5 9 3 1 2 5 9 6 7 2 1
1 2 3 9 7 5 3 9 9 2 8 1 2 6 9 4 3 2 3 1 6 5 6 8 4 4 9 2 4 6 8 7 6 5 9 1 5 4 9 7 9 6 1 5 8 3 9 7 8 3 1 6 5 2 9 7 2 5 2 6 8 5 6 3 4 1 2 3 6 4 3 1 8 7 4 6 1 9 1 8 3 9 1 7 4 5 1 9 8 5 7 6 2 3 2 4 1 3 5 4 1 1 4 8 7
1
3
1
48 Feelings of hitting rock bottom 49 Like letters that aren’t straight ACROSS 51 Grease director 1 Biters of Marc AntKleiser ony’s girlfriend 53 Deighton of spy 5 Lions and Tigers and thrillers Bears 54 Classical guitar great 10 Slugger Ruth 58 Bill written by Alice 14 Converse at Zoosk, Paul e.g. 59 Tyler Glenn album 15 One of the little inspired by his leavhooters ing the church 16 Red rind contents 62 Rheinland rejection 17 Greek queen of 63 How Homo sapiens heaven walks 18 Playground retort 64 Give ___ of approval 19 Uses the tongue 65 Gas brand in Canada 20 Album of Tyler 66 Mapplethorpe modGlenn inspired by els, often therapy 67 Precious stones 23 Warehouse platform 24 Sully, as a reputation DOWN 26 Socrates, for one 1 Essen exclamation 27 Ullmann of Persona 2 Matthew of Wyo30 In the works ming 31 Ending for a fruity 3 One who has come drink out 32 Tools used on the 4 Vibrator, to a sex toy can shop 35 Winter product 5 Say “Bottoms up!” prefix, in ads 6 Olympic runner Ray 36 Band of Tyler Glenn, 7 Trump portrayer who just came out Baldwin 38 Sports car, briefly 8 Drag queen’s materi41 Property claims al, maybe 42 Beginning of Hair9 Brought up the rear? spray 10 Ask to be excused 46 Adriatic seaport 11 Slow pieces, to 47 Shoreline recess Samuel Barber PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ON PAGE 25
12 Kenneth Anger’s Hollywood ___ 13 Marilyn Monroe’s two big ones 21 Tearoom possibility 22 Will and Grace shared one 23 Org. that uses ball-washers 25 WWII area 27 Pinko’s hero 28 Gay-friendly tech company 29 Captain Nemo’s creator 33 Raid instigators at Stonewall Inn 34 Circumscribe 36 Polished part for a fem 37 Cut 38 Chisholm Trail town 39 Condom materials 40 Irish Bacon 43 Cough med that can coldcock you 44 Where they say “Ooh! Long!” 45 Lesbos and more 50 Suffix with homoerotic 52 Sex toy battery size 55 Richard Simmons, to fitness 56 Like a straight line, for short 57 What homophobe Pence is president of? 60 The Plastic ___ Band 61 Children’s game that’s touching
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6 8 7 9 5 2 3 4 1
5 2 1 6 3 4 9 7 8
6 7 9 2 8 5 1 4 3 5 2 6 8 9 7 5 3 6 4 2 1
1 5 4 6 7 3 8 9 2 7 4 3 6 1 5 4 2 8 7 9 3
8 2 3 9 4 1 7 6 5 8 1 9 4 2 3 1 9 7 8 5 6
5 7 1 2 6 3 9 8 4 9 1 7 5 3 2 6 8 4
9 6 4 8 7 5 1 3 2
3 8 2 9 1 4 5 6 7
5 3 8 4 6 7 9 2 1
4 6 2 8 1 9 5 3 7
7 5 6 3 8 1 2 4 9 2 8 1 7 9 4 3 5 6
2 3 8 7 4 9 6 1 5 7 9 5 3 2 6 4 1 8
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BOOK REVIEW | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 31
SEPTEMBER, 2020 | ISSUE 315 | Qsaltlake.com
the bookworm sez REVIEW BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER
Camp BY L.C. ROSEN C.2020, LITTLE, BROWN. $17.99 374 PAGES
You didn’t need the extra heat. No, the evening was balmy; it had been all day, but you needed to watch the embers. There’s something about a campfire that’s relaxing, isn’t there? Something romantic about it, too, which means things can heat up or, as in the new novel “Camp” by L.C. Rosen, things can go all up in flames. Sixteen-year-old Randall Kappelhoff had been thinking about his plan all winter. This year at Camp Outland, a camp for queer teens,
q scopes SEPTEMBER BY SAM KELLEY-MILLS
ARIES March 20–April 19
There has been much talk about change in a world that seems to be standing still. While it may take some time to find your footing, it’s worth taking the climb toward the top. A conquest is waiting for you to take action. The real question is whether you can find the energy to do it.
TAURUS Apr 20–May 20
There is a deep feeling of dread that has been with you for a while. Desires have a lot to do with this, especially because of how recent events have interrupted your routine. Learn to modify your ways and adjust your scope. Do things that keep you grounded while being innovative.
GEMINI May 21–June 20
Figure out what you really want instead of giving in to desires of the moment. Settling for second best is always a trap. Don’t settle for a grape today when a watermelon is right
everything would be different. He’d cut his hair and change his name – no more “Randy,” he’d be “Del” at camp. He’d act totally masc, sign up for sports, and he’d reluctantly give up performing in the annual play. And at the end of the four weeks of camp, Hudson Aaronson-Lim would be Randy – um, Del’s – boyfriend. He’d been hot for Hudson every summer for years. This plan had to work. And it does. At first. Hudson is everything Del wants: he’s solid, sweet, and his kisses are ah-may-zing. And as much as Del wants to “get naked” with Hudson, he knows he has to wait. Every past summer, while he lusted after Hudson, he watched Hudson find some random boy, let the boy fall in love with him, and then he’d dump said boy within two weeks. That was not going to happen to Del. Hudson would be permanent; he just didn’t know
it yet. But staying in character was not easy. Del’s cabin-mate, George, brought nail polish to camp but while Randy would wear nail polish, “Del” could not. Everyone in Del’s cabin was really into theatre and they were all looking forward to the camp show but “Del” was too masc for singing and dancing. Still, Hudson was worth it. Almost everyone in camp knew about Del’s rom-com plans – everyone, that is, except Hudson. Del knew that he’d eventually have to tell Hudson the truth but by that time, he was sure Hudson would be in love with him and nothing else would matter. The plan had to work. Until it didn’t. Okay, this: “Camp” is adorable. It’s all puppyish first love and awkward kisses and fumbling virginity loss. It can also feel long. That may be the first thing
around the corner. You may not be good at standing still, but the best things always come to those who wait.
it come to you. The best chances in life are the ones overlooked.
CANCER June 21–July 22
With great power comes a lot of confusion. While you are used to knowing exactly what you want, a new possibility has you questioning the path. Look toward others for advice on what not to do and avoid traps. Learning from the failures of others make their shortcoming meaningful.
LEO July 23–August 22
Strive for perfection and seek a mate or friend that embraces this goal. There is always a lot of heavy lifting for you, but sharing the load is a good idea. Much of what you want stems from a need to dominate. Take control by giving up some responsibility. You’ll thank yourself.
VIRGO August 23–Sep. 2
Money is always an issue that never seems to be resolved. Get finances in order and don’t forget to put a little extra aside for a rainy day. A big surprise could come when a gold mine is found! Don’t go looking for it but let
LIBRA Sept 23–October 22
Skip out on an event or gathering that has you worried. While it might seem as if you’re running away, you’re actually heading toward something better. Friends in life are not always the best ones to spend time with. Look into having a better time with new faces and lovers.
SCORPIO Oct. 23–Nov. 21
A deadline looms over you and it is quite distracting. Life doesn’t always give a lot of wiggle room. Find the time to address your feelings and ask why the avoidance is there. In the end, a negative feeling is attached to a seemingly positive result. Get in touch with your inner child.
SAGITTARIUS
Nov. 22–December 20.
Take pictures, draw, and simply be creative. It doesn’t matter how good you think you are, this is the time to express yourself. Figure out what really matters and set a course toward a better way of living. While it might not always make sense, the world is a fine
you notice, since author L.C. Rosen jumps right into the beginning of Randy’s first week at camp, and the plan. That doesn’t leave much literary foreplay and it makes for a rough opening; fortunately, it doesn’t last and it doesn’t drag. To the good, the teen angst inside this book is perfect, as is the authenticity of its language. There’s also a great mix of LGBTQ+ characters but the story’s neon-sign is the thing most readers will celebrate: to wit: be true to yourself... but be careful. Read the book. As if the ending of it isn’t surprise enough. Beware: this is a cute story with a strong message, but also contains some pages of explicitness. For older queer teens who need to read, though, “Camp” is just-right, with a little heat Q place. Go and flourish.
CAPRICORN Dec 21–Jan 19
There are adventures coming in the form of mini-vacations. Take time to prepare so you can get the most out of these times. The worst feeling is the distraction that comes from surprises but they are inevitable. Be ready for whatever comes your way but be adventurous!
AQUARIUS Jan. 20–Feb. 18
There seems to be a long road ahead and that is how you like it. It’s easy to ignore what is bothering you when it seems so far away. Don’t forget to enjoy the life you are living now. Give some love and attention to friends, family, and even the animals who look to you for affection.
PISCES Feb 19–Mar 19
There are gambles to be taken but sometimes you need to fold. A loss now could lead to more focus and a better chance of winning next time. Place bets on a family member who has more to offer than it appears at the moment. Don’t underestimate the power of compassion. Q
32 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | SEX
sex and salt lake city
Qsaltlake.com |
ISSUE 315 | SEPTEMBER, 2020
We are sex BY DR. LAURIE BENNETT-COOK
We are sex.
We are sweat. We are pleasure. We are desire. We are lust. We are longing. We are taboo. We are anticipation. We are nervousness. We are excitement. We are anxiety. We are confidence. We are love. We are all of the above and so, so, very, much more. But at the core of our being — we are sex. From the very beginning of our existence — we are sex. The acceptable narrative commonly told in our society is this: A man and a woman, after professing their love for each other, will have mad, passionate sex and bear a child. Together they decide this child is a beautiful reflection of the love they physically expressed to one another. Then, that child becomes old enough to ask about sex, and the man and the woman are quick to say “We don’t talk about that. Don’t ever do those things. It’s dirty. Don’t touch yourself and especially do not touch others.” All the actions that created this child have suddenly become shameful. With those messages neatly packed in a pocket in the brain, that child becomes old enough to meet someone they feel all horny and/or romantic about but the messages are on repeat in their head: unless we’re gonna make a baby we really shouldn’t be doing this. So they sneak to explore their sexual self with another and are filled with shame. The child continues to grow older until one day they meet The One and, surprise! For some reason not understood, the attempt to explore their sexuality is filled with shame. And boom, they’re in my office working to undo years of sexual trauma that was completely induced by … shame. Needless shame. Shame that is usually first introduced at a very young age by someone they love, in an act of love, to protect them from sex. To protect them from themselves.
Shame is the ultimate anti-sex movement if there ever was one. Shame prevents us from pleasure, from loving relationships, from freedom of expression. Especially when our sexual expression is outside the lines of the heteronormative example that society keeps feeding us — an example that very few people, actually and fully adhere to. The human race is quite literally sexually transmitted. So if our very being got its start from sex … Why is there so much shame around it? Why are so many of us afraid, shy, ashamed, to engage in the act of sex? The very act that created us. Shame doesn’t leave room for pleasure, excitement, curiosity, or exploration. Shame doesn’t allow room for choice. When we are in a place of shame we are often lead to going about our day to day lives how we ought to rather than how we desire to. When we are focused on any shame we’re feeling we forget that we have choices to live differently, authentically and that we are capable of creating a blueprint for ourselves that aligns with the core of who we are as a being — not how others expect us to be. This blueprint may include sexual expression in the form of BDSM, samesex desire and/or exploration, group play, sharing partners, masturbation, watching others — either virtually or in real-time. Whatever it is, despite the actions of others procreating to get us here, making babies is not the only form of sexual expression that is okay to practice. Even for those who go on to procreate, most have
done some so-called “shameful” exploration in the process. So if we are to truly be free of shame, how do we know when what we’re doing is okay? The answer is easier than many realize. If the sex you are having (or desire to have) is consensual (consenting age and coherence included) and pleasurable between you and your partner(s). If all parties involved feel their pleasure needs are being met and respected; if all parties want to be engaging in the activity taking place; regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or relationship configuration — then take a deep breath, release any shame, and enjoy. We are each such beautiful, unique beings. Let’s be honest, sex can be pretty spectacular and many times results in some pretty spectacular people — like the human that looks at you from across a parking lot, or while waiting for a table, or while caring for a pet, or while looking into another’s eyes, or when looking in the mirror. You get the idea. The point is, we are sex. Sex is not shameful. We are not shamed. Q Dr. Laurie Bennett-Cook is a Clinical Sexologist with private practice counseling clients in Salt Lake City. She can be reached at DrLaurieBennettCook@gmail.com
SEPTEMBER, 2020 |
ISSUE 315 | Qsaltlake.com
A&E | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 33
‘Disarm hate’ chronicles LGBTQ+ activists who called for gun control after the Pulse massacre Harvey Fierstein narrated feature documentary, Disarm Hate, is released worldwide via multiple streaming platforms including Amazon Prime Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play/YouTube Rentals, InDemand (Comcast & Cox), Microsoft Store and Vudu. The film seeks to create awareness about gun violence against the LGBTQ+ community following the 2016 Pulse Nightclub massacre in Orlando that took 49 lives as the impetus. Directed by Julianna Brudek, the film chronicles nine diverse LGBTQ+ activists who come together after the Pulse nightclub massacre to join Jason P. Hayes, a hairdresser, and an activist from New Jersey who is on a crusade. Without political experience, Hayes builds a national rally to demand LGBTQ+ equal rights, fight the NRA, and challenge America’s obsession with gun violence. “I wanted to bring awareness to how disproportionately gun violence has affected the less privileged members of our community. Two weeks before Matthew Shepard was brutally murdered, Rita Hester, a trans woman of color was murdered, and the media buried the story. Forgotten forever,” said Julianna Brudek. She added, “I did not want that to happen to the Hispanic LGBTQs that lost their lives at Pulse Nightclub. As a community, we must remember the hate crimes, and work together to stop the violence perpetrated on each one of us.” Beginning as a road trip, the journey turned into so much more than anyone could have expected. Exploring their similarities and differences, the group develops a life-changing bond as they visit prominent sites of gun violence that have
affected LGBTQ+ people nationwide. This common ground opens discussions between the travelers and the people they meet along the way, that look to alleviate these horrific hate crimes and bring a better understanding for all. The renowned trans activist and media personality Ashlee Marie Preston who is a cast member and an executive producer said, “The threat of gun violence is intersectional. When someone’s identity overlaps with multiple marginalized groups, their risk is compounded. Black Americans are 10 times more likely to be murdered with a gun than white Americans. Being a woman and trans exacerbates those odds.” She continued, “Disarm Hate,” which focuses on the discriminatory culture within America that informs the violence marginalized communities face. If we are ever to eradicate gun violence, we must interrogate the attitudes and beliefs that fan the flames of hate. Our journey was not about taking away people’s guns, it was about removing the barriers that obstruct their ability to recognize our humanity.” The documentary successfully probes the emotional journeys of the activists, who squabble, laugh, cry, and even fall in love over the course of their trip. It also examines opposing views and counterpoints to their calls for gun reform from a pro-gun perspective, as they visit a shooting range and engage with a member of the Pink Pistols, a pro-gun LGBTQ+ group. Harvey Fierstein, who narrated the film summed it up with, “Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life; define yourself.” Q
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34 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | FINAL WORD
Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 315 | SEPTEMBER, 2020
the perils of petunia pap smear
The tale of a whore in church BY PETUNIA PAP SMEAR
The road
to heaven is fraught with danger and
excitement. Many years ago, the Reverend Bruce Barton and Mr. Pap Smear invited me to a conference held at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. Since it was the middle of January and Utah was blanketed in breasticle-deep snow and ice, I jumped at the opportunity to escape to sunny southern California more quickly than a drag queen grabs free lipstick samples at Nordstrom. As with all road trips, I insisted that we travel in style and comfort. Thus, I donned opera-length driving gloves, a simple wrinkle-resistant sequin caftan, and my best pair of non-glare sunglasses. And we loaded up Queertanic, my powder-blue Buick Electra land yacht and off we went, ala Too Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. I maneuvered Queertanic onto I-15; then set the cruise control and began the voyage south. The long drive was uneventful except for when we were passing through Las Vegas. We all know that a hungry Petunia is a bitchy Petunia, so in the interest of preserving world peace, the cruise control on Queertanic is permanently set on “buffet.” It was as if Queertanic was on autopilot and turned itself onto the Las Vegas Strip where it subsequently landed in the parking lot of Excalibur, home to what’s touted the largest buffet in the world. We entered the buffet, and I immediately witnessed mountains of mashed potatoes and rivers of gravy, and I thought perhaps I had, indeed, found heaven. To make a long story short, we arrived at the Crystal Cathedral the next morning. The bright California sunshine gleamed and glinted off the sparkling chrome-and-glass edifice. As I walked toward the entrance, I was enthralled by the fact that the exterior glass wall functioned as a two hundred-foot-tall mirror, and I saw perhaps for the first time, my entire reflection, including my beehive
hair! Never before had I found a mirror large enough to accommodate my entire self. Again, I thought I had found heaven. As we entered the large cathedral, I marveled at the glass walls and ceiling. I thought about how it must get very hot inside when the sun is shining. We sat in the center section with a good view of the conference speakers and the entire surroundings. The conference proceeded without incident, throughout the morning session. Then we broke for lunch consisting of a huge turkey meal. After lunch, we returned to our seats. I sat between Mr. Pap Smear and Reverend Bruce. What with all the driving from the night before (and all the turkey) I was tired, so I slouched down in the chair, and braced my knees on the back of the chair in front of me. The speaker began to drone on in a dull monotone about a subject in which I had zero interest. The sun came out from behind the clouds and the whole place lit up as if we were under bright hot stage lights. I became more drowsy and rested my eyes for a few seconds. Suddenly, the somber reverence was violently interrupted when my mouth erupted an epically thunderous snore loud enough to register on the Richter Scale. Horrified at “the disturbance of the force,” Rev. Bruce and Mr. Pap Smear threw an elbow jab into my breasticles, with exceeding speed and force to cease the commotion. Disoriented, I immediately awakened and rose in my chair coughing and gasping for air, as they had knocked the wind out of me. Rev. Bruce and Mr. Pap Smear remained sitting, stock still, eyes focused forward feigning interest in the speaker, pretend-
ing as if nothing had happened. In horror, I looked round in embarrassment, to see if I had drawn unwanted attention. Everyone within a stone’s throw heard my embarrassing snort. Some of the more polite folks tried to ignore everything and kept their attention on the speaker. One poor woman sitting about five seats to my right and one row behind heard and saw the entire incident, and she giggled. She lowered her eyes so as not to meet my glance, but her giggling rose, and her notebook dropped to the floor. I slouched to avoid further recognition and
humiliation. Fifteen minutes later, the woman was still giggling uncontrollably during a break in the conference. Feeling as uncomfortable as a whore in church, I excused myself and sneaked out the door at the rear of the hall. This story leaves us with several important questions: 1. Should I apply for a patent for the buffet cruise control? 2. Is heaven truly a colossal buffet in front of a gigantic mirror? 3. When we sat in the center section, was it because I wanted to see and hear the speakers, or to scope out the audience for hunks? (Silly question: I’m always on the lookout for hunks!) 4. Should I modify my breasticles to muffle a snore? 5. Should I attach a drool bucket to the breasticles to catch the inevitable? These and other eternal questions will be answered in future chapters of The Perils of Petunia Pap Smear. Q
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