QSaltLake Magazine - Issue 333 - March 2022

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Said the note, “PrEP (therapy) is nearly 10 years old; however, it is underutilized, particularly by the communities most impacted by HIV. For example, in 2019, only 8 percent of Black/African Americans and 14 percent of Hispanic/Latino persons eligible for PrEP were prescribed it, compared to 63 percent of white persons.

Increasing access to PrEP requires dedicated funding.”

The group suggested $400 million be added to the National HIV strategy released in December 2021 for PrEP subsidy.

Income gap RIP, GLAAD founder ARNIE KANTROWITZ, a pioneering activist for the rights of gay men and lesbians and founding member of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, has died at age 81.

Before GLAAD, he co-founded the Gay Activist Alliance in NYC after the Stonewall demonstrations in 1969. He was an English professor at the City University of New York, where he created one of the first gay studies courses in the nation. He promoted the work of Walt Whitman and other gay writers. He made many groundbreaking television appearances on local and national radio and T.V. talk shows in the 1970s, speaking for the Alliance and gay and lesbian rights. In the 1980s, he helped his lifetime partner, Dr. Lawrence D. Mass found the Gay Men’s Health Clinic.

PrEP subsidy requested A coalition of 111 public health, HIV, hepatitis, and STD community-based organizations have sent a letter to the White House to support funding to make Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis available to underserved communities.

Recent analysis of Census data by the Brookings Institution found that gay couples have higher median family income than opposite-gender couples.

Gay couples out-earn lesbian couples, says the report. This was true even though lesbian couples were more likely than straight couples to have traits that typically lead to higher incomes, including having two income-earners, living in densely populated areas, and attaining higher education.

The report found that the average family income for gay married couples is 31 percent higher than for married lesbian couples and 27 percent higher than for opposite-gender couples. Interestingly, for unmarried couples, gay men earn 36 percent more than unmarried lesbian couples and 38 percent more than unmarried straight couples.

Pope’s advice POPE FRANCIS urged parents not to condemn their children if they are LGBT. The Holy Father has consistently reached out to the LGBT community and spoke informally in a regular Wednesday public ceremony. He said he was thinking about, “Parents who see that their children

have different sexual orientations, how they manage that and accompany their children and not hide behind a condemning attitude. Never condemn a child,” he said.

Iran: death penalty Iran has executed two gay men who were convicted on charges of sodomy. They had spent six years on death row.

Homosexuality is illegal in Iran.

In 2021 two other men were executed on the same charges.

COVID vax rate New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that COVID-19 vaccination rates are higher among gay and lesbian adults than among heterosexual, bisexual, transgender, and non-binary adults. As of October 2021, 85.4 percent of gay and lesbian adults had gotten at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, compared to 76.3 percent of heterosexual and bisexual adults and 75.7 percent of transgender and non-binary adults.

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Her streak ended by missing a “daily-double” question, handing the victory to RHONE TALSMA, a librarian from Chicago. He is also a member of the LGBTQ+ community, identifying as queer.

No LGBT SCOTUS promise White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that the White House isn’t pledging to put an LGBT person or an Asian American on the Supreme Court if future vacancies arise.

However, the president promised in March 2020 during his presidential campaign to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court, which would be a historic first. The press secretary praised the administration on the number of POC and women nominated to the federal bench. She did not mention that only three out LGBT federal judge nominees of the 82 were sent to the Senate by the administration. With Justice Breyer’s retirement, Justice Elana Kagan will become the Court’s “liberal wing” lead batter and assign opinions and dissents.

January 6 participant plea

‘Jeopardy’ winner AMY SCHNEIDER thrilled viewers of the game show “Jeopardy!” with a $1.3 million run to land among the all-time top winners on the game show.

Her loss came after winning 40 consecutive games, second only to current host Ken Jennings, who won 74 in 2003.

In media interviews, Schneider said that providing positive representation of transgender people was even more valuable to her than the money she had won. “It’s definitely been the most rewarding part of the whole experience,” she said.

A self-proclaimed “gay activist,” founder of the “WalkAway” Campaign, was charged in the January 6, 2021 storming of the U.S. Capitol.

Prosecutors said Brandon Straka “is one of the most prominent” because of his almost 500,000 followers on Twitter. He took a plea and was sentenced to house arrest, probation, and fined $5000.

Straka, a New York hairstylist, founded the WalkAway’ Campaign encouraging LBGT to “walk away” from the Democratic party. He spoke at the rally before the storming and took part in the activity inside the building. He pleaded guilty to trespass and inciting resistance to police orders.

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Wrap up of U.S. state legislature activity FLORIDA’s Senate Education Committee advanced a bill that would require school districts to certify that all teaching content aligns with state standards.

Opponents of the bill say it empowers parents to challenge books featuring queer characters and topics. Proponents suggest books and other material with LGBT representation led to gender confusion.

A VIRGINIA bill would restrict transgender students’ access to school restrooms and other facilities. The bill specifies that facilities for more than one person must be restricted to members of the same “biological sex.” It does not address single-user facilities. The bill is in the House of Delegates, led by Republicans. The Democrats still have a majority in the state senate, making the bill’s chances slim there.

SOUTH DAKOTA Gov. Kristi Noem signed a bill that bans transgender girls and women from competing on female sports teams. The law requires anyone competing on a female sports team to have “female” listed on their “official birth certificate issued at or near the time of the athlete’s birth.”

The TENNESSEE legislature will take up a so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill again that would prohibit public schools from using textbooks or other materials that “promote, normalize, support or address LGBT issues or lifestyle.” The legislation has been introduced a few times and has never gotten very far.

State Sen. Bruce Giffey reintroduced his bills with the argument, “The state of Tennessee is not allowed to teach my daughters Christian values. So if those are not part of the school curriculum, I don’t see how LGBTQ and other issues and

social lifestyles should be part of the curriculum.” Other bills would restrict gender-affirming care for minors, and one would allow teachers and other school staffers to disregard students’ preferred pronouns.

2022 Olympics The following is a partial list of LGBTQ Olympians competing this year: BRUCE MOUAT, a curler, says he found athletic success after coming out to a psychologist eight years ago. He is Britain’s top athlete in this sport in the 2022 Olympics.

Australian snowboarder BELLE BROCKHOFF came out publicly in 2013 and competed in 2014 to protest against Russia’s anti-LGBT laws.

Back again is figure skater ERIC RADFORD of Canada, the first international figure skater to come out publicly while competing, will again compete in couples skating.

For the third time, speed skater BRITTANY BOWE became a member of a U.S. Olympic team after her outstanding performance in the 1,000-meter trial. She was the first out-athlete to earn a spot on Team USA for this year’s games.

Representing France is ice dancer GUILLAUME CIZERON,

who is gay. He will compete in couples figure skating.

We met GUS KENWORTHY in 2018 kissing another man.

The two-time Olympian and silver medal-winning freestyle skier will represent the U.S. in what he says will be his last Olympic competition.

IREEN WÜST of the Netherlands heads to her fifth Olympics and has won 11 medals, winning gold at every Olympics she’s competed in.

French figure skater KÉVIN AYMOZ said he wanted “to help open the conversation about homo-

sexuality in sport” by participating in this past summer’s documentary “Faut Qu’on Parle” (We Need to Talk) and is on the French Team.

KENDALL WESENBERG, who during the 2014–15 season became the first American woman to win the European Cup, is part of the American skeleton crew.

TIMOTHY LEDUC, who made history as the first out gay athlete to win a U.S. pairs ice skating title after capturing gold with partner Ashley Cain-Gribble, has now become the first out nonbinary Winter Olympian.

While 69 countries criminalize private, consensual, same-sex sexual activity, NBC refused LGBT mentions. Q

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Utah Pride Center CEO resigns after 4 months; new co-officers named Stacey Jackson-Roberts resigned from her position as CEO of the Utah Pride Center due to “health and family reasons,” board chair Chris Jensen announced in a statement Jan. 19..

“Wishing the Board, the leadership team, and the staff at the Utah Pride Center well. I’m confident in the diverse skills of the people I am leaving behind to lead the center through its next chapter,” said Jackson-Roberts.

She started as CEO of the Center in September of last year. In her 4-month tenure, she hired Smith College colleague Kimberly Gillette from Baltimore, Md. as Interim Clinical Director.

An open house event that was scheduled for Feb. 5, titled “Utah Pride Center Reimagined: Celebrating 30 Years with a Bold New Vision for Our Future,” was canceled due to the recent surge in Covid-19, Center leaders announced Jan. 12.

Center leaders decided to change the structure of the Center.

“As the Board Chair at the Utah Pride Center, this change has caused me to reflect on how to proceed with effective leadership,” Jensen continued. “One thing Stacey did well in her short time as CEO, was hire a team of qualified people to lead the Center going forward.

Rather than have one CEO, we will have three members of a leadership team known as Co-Collaborative Executive Officers. These three individuals will have separate roles and responsibilities and I am confident they will work well together to make 2022 a success.”

“Thankfully the staff here at the Utah Pride Center have become accustomed to change and are ready to do what’s necessary to not only bring pride to our community through pride events but also work to continue to provide mental health services and educational programs to LGBTQ+ Utahn’s across the state,” Jensen ended.

Announced as “co-collaborative executive officers” were Tanya Hawkins as co-CEO over community outreach and programs, Benjamin Carr as co-CEO over development and communications, and Jessica Dummar as co-CEO over operations and administration.

Center leaders gave the following bios for the three new positions:

Tanya Hawkins (she, her) Tanya has served in multiple capacities at the Utah Pride Center for the past several years. Before accepting this position, Tanya served as vice-chair on the Board ensuring its commitment to maintaining a diverse board and staff that reflects the communities we serve.

In addition, Tanya is currently an active council member of the Racial Equity in Policing Commission, Citizens Advisory Board, and Utah Multicultural Civic Council.

Previously, Tanya worked at ARUP Laboratories in marketing and PR for 17 years.

Outside of her community involvement Tanya enjoys trying new restaurants, spending time with her niece and nephew, and generally anything adventurous or outside the box. Tanya enjoys being active in the community and is a patron of the arts, sciences, and outdoors.

Tanya believes that the full value of life is gained by being and embracing yourself. She believes that there is always something positive to be learned from someone regardless of their color, culture, gender, sexuality, beliefs, age, disability, and/or economic background.

We look forward to witnessing her continued positive impact on our community in this new role.

Benjamin Carr (he, him) Carr will lead all fundraising efforts and directs the Utah Pride Center’s marketing and communications strategy. Prior to joining the UPC in December 2021, Benjamin spent 20 years leading the development and communications strategy at some of San Francisco’s most prestigious visual and performing arts nonprofits, including director of marketing and communications at San Francisco

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Art Institute and The Contemporary Jewish Museum, associate director of marketing and Communications at San Francisco Ballet, and board member and then interim executive director at the GLBT Historical Society. Benjamin brings extensive experience in growing organizations, improving inter-departmental processes, and engaging and reaching new constituents.

Benjamin completed his BA and MA in English at Brigham Young University and was a Ph.D. candidate in American Indian Studies at Florida State University. Benjamin is particularly committed to making a social, political, and cultural impact in his work and champions the idea that what we do collaboratively is always more important than our individual endeavors.

After a nearly 25-year absence of living in Utah, Benjamin returned to live near his daughter. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, working out at the gym, trying new restaurants, cooking, and reading a good book.

Jessica Dummar (she, her) A bisexual lawyer, veteran, mom of four, and military spouse. She was raised in a small farming town in Idaho with her five sisters. Some of her favorite memories, are jumping off bridges and swimming in rivers with her family in the summer.

After high school she attended BYU-Idaho. She married and joined the military by the spring of her freshman year. By twenty, she had her first baby. Much of her life has been an effort to play by the “rules” while simultaneously finding her own power and authenticity.

Jessica attended law school at the University of South Carolina. While there, she learned the law, but also the mechanics of how the law often is used to perpetuate the oppression of marginalized communities. This view of power continues to shift the way Jessica perceives the world — even herself — on a core level.

Jessica gained experience in regulation and compliance while working in the employment and environmental sectors of law.

For the last three years, she has spent researching sex and gender law independently around the world and promoting sex-positivity. Jessica has a passion for creating spaces to discuss issues regarding social, and individual healing. Q

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Utah Pride 2022 is on

Utah Pride Festival organizers announced that the event will return this June with plans for 60,000+ attendees.

The two-day festival will take place Saturday June 4 and Sunday June 5 on Washington Square — the block of the Salt Lake City and County Building.

“Our co-CEOs, along with the board, have agreed it’s time to return to normal and put on the biggest Pride Festival and Parade Utah has ever seen,” leaders said in a statement. “We will, of course, be keeping an eye on COVID case numbers and taking recommendations from the Utah Department of Health as we move forward. But as of now, the plan is to host the event as we’ve done pre-pandemic with a few changes and additions this year.”

This includes more space with food trucks on 500 South and a Volunteer Village on Library Square. They promise more drink stations, more entrance gates and more exhibitor booths.

Per capita, the Utah Pride Festival is the largest PRIDE celebration in the Western United States.

This year’s festival will include the following: 4 stages 5 lounges/gardens 4 beer/drink Stations 30 food vendors 4 entrance gates, with 4 “rush hour” gates Sunday 12–2pm after the Pride Parade.

Tickets will go on sale May 1, with early bird discounts through May 31.

A one-day pass will be $0 for youth and $15 for adults. Multi-day passes will range from $25 to $250, and group bonus packs will be $40 to $300.

Pride Week Schedule Pride Week events will begin May 29: SUNDAY, MAY 29 — Drag Queen Brunch, Retro Sun-Day Dance Party.

MONDAY, MAY 30 — 5K Family Run Run (free), Memorial Day Pride Picnic (free) TUESDAY, MAY 31 — LGBTQ+ Film Premier (free) WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1 — Pride Month Flag Raising at City Hall (free), Pride

Story Garden Exhibit Opening (free).

THURSDAY, JUNE 2 — Pride Interfaith Service (free).

FRIDAY, JUNE 3 — Youth Pride, Rainbow Glow March (free), Rainbow Glow March Rooftop After Party.

SATURDAY, JUNE 4 — Utah Pride Festival Day 1 from 1–11 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 5 — Utah Pride Parade (free), Utah Pride Festival Day 2 from 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

Pride Theme The PRIDE Week Steering Committee voted unanimously for this year’s theme among nearly 100 submissions from the community: I AM Utah Pride.

John Johnson, who has organized the logistics of 11 Utah Pride festivals was named Operations Director. He feels this theme will allow everyone to determine what PRIDE Week means to them.

“PRIDE means something different for all of us, and that’s the beauty of PRIDE. We want everyone to celebrate PRIDE Week with us and to be able to show their own PRIDE in a way that is authentic to their experience” Johnson said. “Our community is very diverse and we want to allow space for a variety of identities, orientations, faiths, races, ethnicities, and cultures.

PRIDE Week is a time to appreciate our differences, and for each of us to celebrate own space in this community.”

Organizers encourage people to share their own stories of pride and use the hashtag #iamutahpride on social media posts so they can be collected a large number that express pride in as many different ways as possible.

Volunteers A festival of this size takes a lot of volunteers. Those interested can go to bit.ly/pridevolunteer22 to sign up. Q More information on the Utah Pride Festival can be found at utahpridecenter.org

10 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | NEWS

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LGBTQ groups focused on two anti-trans bills

Utah’s LGBTQ political groups are putting out calls to supporters about two bills being debated on Capitol Hill that will significantly impact the LGBTQ community.

HB 11 If passed, House Bill 11 will create a path for K–12 transgender student-athletes to play sports. It would create a commission to determine the individual eligibility for transgender and non-binary youth to participate, instead of an outright ban.

“However, we are not yet in a position to support this legislation,” writes Troy Williams, executive director of the group, in a statement.

“We’ve told Rep. Birkeland that we have two major concerns. First, we do not believe that the commission should be appointed by partisan elected officials. We worry that in the future, some appointments may be politicized by a person who has a bias against transgender students.

Second, we believe that in the bill’s current draft, the qualifications of the commissioners place far too much weight on the value of competition, and far too little on the value of participation, especially in the context of high school.”

“This is not the Olympics,” Williams continues. “Out of approximately 80,000 registered high school athletes in Utah, there is an exceptionally small number of transgender students who want to participate in sports — fewer than .01 percent, or 1 in 10,000. And just like any other student, transgender students want to play sports because it’s healthy and fun.

We want our transgender

youth to have this opportunity, because it’s important for all of us to learn how to work together as a team, to set goals and achieve them, and to bounce back after a loss.”

Equality Utah currently does not support HB 11.

They say they are open to working with lawmakers and finding a compromise.

“If the bill is significantly amended to better value transgender youth, we may change our position. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that transgender students are supported and loved,” Williams wrote.

Utah Stonewall Democrats and the Transgender Inclusion Project, however, are against the bill on 14th Amendment grounds and are calling for supporters to urge its defeat.

“This bill attempts to address a problem that does not currently exist in Utah, and only serves to marginalize and injure already marginalized kids in this State,” leaders said in a statement. “We are opposed to any solution that sets up a state commission or any governmental control that determines whether a youth is ‘trans-enough’ to participate in a sporting event that is not set aside for the gender that they were designated at birth.”

HB 127 For the third year in a row, the Utah Eagle Forum and other ultra-conservative groups are attempting to prohibit doctors from prescribing or performing medical or mental health procedures for those under 18 years of age.

“HB 127 prohibits doctors from following the standards of care established by every leading medical and mental health organization in

the country and the world,” Williams wrote. “This is only the most recent chapter in the Eagle Forum’s long-standing crusade against LGBTQ Utahns. We have been defending our community against these attacks for decades.

We will never stop fighting to protect LGBTQ youth.”

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Rex Shipp, would get between parents and doctors for evidence-based medical care to their transgender patients. The bill has yet to be scheduled for a hearing.

“HB 127 is a violation of medical ethics and parental rights,” Williams wrote. “The

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government has no right to come between doctors, patients, and their parents. The standards of care for transgender youth have been well established by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the Endocrine Society, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.”

The group is asking supporters to contact their House representative and ask them to vote no on HB 127. To find your representative’s contact info, go to le.utah.gov and click on “My Legislators.” Q

Grindr/Scruff scam targets gay men in Salt Lake City Many people know some of the dangers when using Grindr, Scruff, and similar apps as we hear stories of men being attacked or robbed. But the apps are now being used to extort money.

A Utah man called QSaltLake Magazine looking for a resource to help him after he received a threatening call demanding money.

The man had chatted with a user on Scruff who was purportedly 21 years of age, according to his profile. The two exchanged messages and photos on the app, and took their conversation to text messages, but did not meet.

The next morning, someone claiming to be the father of the person he was chatting with called the man and told him that he was actually chatting with his 15-year-old son. Further, he said, his son attempted suicide after the interactions and demanded payment for the hospital bills. He said he would go to the police and tell them he was exchanging sexual images and messages with a minor if he did not pay.

When the Utah man called QSaltLake, he was told to call Chris Wharton Law PLLC, a law firm that specializes in legal issues in Utah’s LGBTQ community.

Kyler O’Brien explained to him that this was a scam being seen across the country. He told him to block the profile on the Scruff app and, because the supposed “father” was texting to the point of harassment, to block the phone number that he was calling from, and completely disengage from the conversation.

This scam is being reported across the country, with some victims being approached in person with demands for payment.

Anyone in this situation should call an attorney. Any further contact with the scammer should be referred to the attorney and under no circumstance should the scammers be given any money without an attorney’s advice.

Attorneys who work with the LGBTQ community can be found at qpages. com/cat/attorneys/. Q

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National LGBTQ+ softball tournament heading to Salt Lake City in 2023 A national annual LGBTQ+ softball tournament will be held in Salt Lake City in 2023.

The North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance announced it will host its annual softball tournament May 26–28, 2023, at the Gary C Swensen Valley Regional Park in Taylorsville and Larry H. Miller Softball Complex in Millcreek.

The top elite A and B division teams from NAGAAA organizations all over the United States and Canada will compete to determine the NAGAAA Cup Champions.

The tournament also allows teams to qualify for the Gay Softball World Series. The games are open to the public and the entire community will be invited to cheer on the teams and join in a big party to bring the entire community together in support and unity.

This year’s World Series event was held in February in Dallas.

Salt Lake was chosen by NAGAAA over other locations not only for its natural beauty but because of the warm welcome extended by the entire culture. Salt Lake has an active and robust population that is excited to be involved in the event and organizers were impressed with how beautifully everyone here comes together.

“Salt Lake was the complete opposite of our expectations, we were so surprised at every-

one’s friendliness, and their loving, welcoming attitude of acceptance,” said John Deffee, NAGAAA Commissioner.

“This warm reception will be a big piece of our memory of our time here. With 45 years as an organization, we are built and founded on community. What started with a shared passion for softball turned into something much more profound. We change people’s lives and allow them a safe place to unapologetically be themselves. And that’s what we found in Salt Lake.”

With more than 80 percent of NAGAAA’s teams located on the West Coast, attendance is expected to be robust. An estimated 1,100 attendees are anticipated, and the group estimates the economic impact to Salt Lake City to be more than $1 million.

“We enjoy an open-minded, inclusive culture, where kind, open-hearted people embrace their differences and encourage new perspectives,” said Clay Partain, managing director of Sports Salt Lake.

“Hosting NAGAAA in Salt Lake is a perfect example of this. Here, progressive ideals, traditional roots, and modern industries pull together to make a different, better way and we are excited to extend a warm welcome to them.”

“We’re proud to welcome the North American Gay Am-

ateur Athletic Alliance to the NAGAAA Softball Cup here in Salt Lake City,” said Tanya Hawkins, co-CEO of the Utah Pride Center. “LGBTQ+ representation in athletics is critical to creating a safe and welcoming place at sporting events.

In welcoming NAGAAA, we hope that every participant enjoys the competition and camaraderie on the field and

takes the opportunity to enjoy one of the most LGBTQ+ affirming cities in America.”

Bringing NAGAAA here was a team effort from community partners, including Visit Salt Lake, the Utah Pride Center, Equality Utah, Salt Lake Pride League, Utah Sports Commission, SLC Stonewall, LGBTQ Chamber, and Communify.me. Q

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U.S. Dept. of Education drops LGBTQ complaint against BYU After months of investigation, the U.S. Department of Education dismissed a complaint filed against Brigham Young University over how the private religious school treats its LGBTQ students. The dismissal was on the basis of religious exemption under Title IX prohibits changes against the school.

In a letter dated Feb. 8, an official with the Office of Civil Rights informs BYU President Kevin Worthen the department is “dismissing this complaint” pursuant to the religious exemption under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

“Because the University is exempt from the above-referenced regulatory provisions of Title IX to the extent that application of those provisions conflict with the religious tenets of its controlling religious organization, OCR lacks jurisdiction to address the complaint’s allegations,” Sandra Roesti, supervisory attorney with the department’s Office of Civil Rights wrote.

The letter noted the dismissal should not be considered as “a formal statement of OCR policy and should not be relied upon, cited, or construed as such.”

The initial complaint was filed on March 9, 2020, alleging BYU engages in the different treatment of students who are involved in same-sex romantic relationships by stating that such relationships are not compatible with the principles of the University’s Honor Code. The filer of the complaint is not identified.

A BYU response to the dismissal said the school was expecting the result as the U.S. government has consistently recognized the religious exemption under Title IX applies to the school.

“BYU had anticipated that OCR would dismiss the complaint because OCR has repeatedly recognized BYU’s religious exemption for Title IX requirements that are not consistent with the religious tenets of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” the statement says.

BYU is under scrutiny for its policies after what appeared to be a reversal after the school removed a section of the Honor Code that banned “homosexual behavior.” Upon BYU officials reemphasizing that such behavior was

still against school policy, many protests took place at BYU and the Salt Lake City Temple. The school recently banned all protests on campus and on Y Mountain after pro-LGBTQ students lit it up in rainbow colors on multiple occasions.

Paul Carlos Southwick, director of the pro-LGBTQ student group Religious Exemption Accountability Project, said in a statement the department’s dismissal of the charges “is another example of the federal government siding with discrimination and powerful institutions like BYU at the expense of vulnerable LGBTQ+ students.”

“By dismissing this investigation, the federal government has not only dashed the hopes of many LGBTQ+ students who saw the investigation as a sign of good things to come, but it has placed

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the government’s stamp of approval on BYU’s discriminatory practices, which the government not only funds, but has now formally handed out a license to discriminate,” Southwick said.

LGBTQ students and others expressed their severe disappointment with the decision.

“I’m not sure how long we will allow ‘religious liberty’ to supersede the rights of queer people,” BYU graduate Zachary Ibarra told The Salt Lake Tribune. “I should not be surprised, but it is still deeply disappointing. When will the rights of queer students be upheld to the law without exception?”

“The Department of Education’s decision is nearly as heartbreaking as BYU’s coordinated campaign against its queer students is,” openly gay BYU student Cal Burke told the Tribune.

“I wanted to believe something would come out of this,” said bisexual BYU student Madi Hawes. “I had hope, but that’s all it was — hope.” Q

LGBTQ Valentine’s Day ‘kiss-in’ protest at BYU Flaunting Brigham Young University’s new anti-protest directives, LGBTQ students, alumni and OUT Foundation members demonstrated in the Wilkinson Student Center on Valentine’s Day. Around 50 people participated in what some called a “Kiss-in,” those organizers encouraged them to show affection “at the level they were comfortable with.”

Some held hands while others passed out flowers and Valentine’s cards.

Colter Rosborough, the OUT Foundation’s student outreach coor-

dinator, told The Daily Universe they were “hoping to show students in the LGBTQ community there are people to accept and care for them.”

The OUT Foundation is a non-university group that “empower[s] LGBTQ+ students and alumni of Brigham Young University in achieving their intellectual, social and professional potential.”

“We’re trying to show just how harmless the community is,” Rosborough said.

“There’s nothing really wrong with coming in and loving people. Love is love.” Q PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK, LATTER GAY STORIES

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BYU forces end to transgender speech therapies on campus Brigham Young University administrators required their Department of Communication Disorders to end all voice and communication services at its Speech and Language Clinic for transgender clients.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association said the decision runs contrary to their code of ethics.

“ASHA recognizes gender-affirming voice and communication services for transgender and gender diverse populations within the speech-language pathology scope of practice,” ASHA wrote in a statement.

“ASHA members provide vital clinical services to gender diverse populations who may have voice or other speech-language disorders unrelated to their gender, as well as services to individuals whose voices do not reflect their gender.”

Transgender individuals who attempt to modify their voice without a trained speech-language pathologist, the group says, risk permanent damage to their vocal cords. Further, without appropriate services, transgender people are at an increased risk for related mental health challenges.

“Ensuring treatment for all individuals in need of speech, language, hearing, and related services —including transgender individuals — is consistent with ASHA’s Code of Ethics,” the group continued.

“Individuals shall not discriminate in the delivery of professional services or in the conduct of research and scholarly activities on the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity/gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, disability, culture, language or dialect,” reads Principle I, Rule C of the ASHA Code of Ethics.

They say BYU is putting its certified speech-language

pathologists in an “untenable position,” directing them to act in a manner contrary to their responsibilities under the ASHA Code of Ethics.

The group also says that the school is not acting in a way that aligns with Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ policies and guidelines.

“According to section 38.6.23 of the General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ‘transgender individuals face complex challenges. Members and nonmembers who identify as transgender — and their family and friends — should be treated with sensitivity, kindness, compassion, and an abundance of Christlike love.’”

On the BYU Department of Communication Disorders website, it shows that the program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.

CAA accreditation standards require academic programs to provide content and opportunities for students to learn to practice in a manner consistent with recognized standards of ethical practice and relevant federal and state regulations, and that students are prepared to understand the health care and education landscapes and how to facilitate access to services.

“Students graduating from CAA-accredited programs must understand the impact of their cultural and linguistic variables on the delivery of effective care, along with the impact of those variables for their clients,” ASHA’s statement says. “CAA-accredited programs must ensure students show evidence of care, compassion, and appropriate empathy during interactions with everyone served.” Q

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SunTrapp remains closed as owners battle in court On January 11, a message on the SunTrapp Facebook page said that the DABC had granted the bar permission to temporarily close for 10 days. Ten days later, a post was made explaining a 10-day extension of the closure. On Feb. 3, the page showed a lawsuit pitting the club’s owners against each other.

The SunTrapp is Salt Lake City’s longest-running bar serving the LGBTQ community.

In the complaint, FChugg, Inc., the corporation registered as the owner of the bar, named four plaintiffs — shareholder Michael Goulding and former employees Haley Jones, Trapper Geary, and Michael Smith.

The complaint says that current board members of the corporation are Riley Richter and bar manager Donald Neeley. It also says that Richter owns 60 shares of FChugg and Michael Goulding owns 40 shares.

Because, the complaint says, Goulding owns a minority share of the business, and he is not a member of the corporation’s board, he has no authority to manage the business or act on its behalf.

But Goulding did, indeed, engage in unauthorized actions and caused potential harm to the business, the complaint says.

PHOTO BY ANOTHER BELIEVER

FChugg is seeking monetary damages for “conversion of property” owned by the corporation, unlawful trespass, civil conspiracy, and “tortious interference with FChugg’s existing and prospective economic relations.

The SunTrapp was incorporated by Frank Chugg on Dec. 23, 2013, with Chugg and Robert Goulding as directors. At the time, 100 shares of common stock were authorized, all of which were owned by Robert Goulding.

In April 2018, Robert Goulding died and left 40 shares to his brother Michael Goulding, 30 shares to Riley Richter, and 30 shares to Dennis Gwyther.

According to the complaint, Michael Goulding was disqualified from owning the bar because of something in his criminal history. He then transferred his 30 shares to Joshua Lakin.

In May of 2019, Dennis Gwyther was shot and killed on I-15 as he was heading to Boise, Idaho. His 30 shares passed to his husband, Matthew Gwyther. Matthew Gwyther’s shares were redeemed by FChugg, Inc., according to the complaint.

On Dec. 28, 2021, the board of FChugg, Inc. consented to sell the 30 shares to Riley Richter for $93,000, making him the majority

shareholder, said the complaint.

In addition, the complaint says FChugg paid Michael Goulding weekly wages of $1,750 since March 2020 in exchange for services to the bar, though Goulding has not actually provided said services.

Instead, the complaint says, Michael Goulding harmed the business by being intoxicated while on the premises, encouraging gossip, demanding employees see him as having authority to run the bar, encouraging employees to bring “unfounded” claims against FChugg employees, withdrawing $25,000 from an FChugg bank account, and then withdrawing another $60,000.

The first withdrawal of $25,000 occurred on Oct. 15, 2021, and was re-deposited to the account after a threat of legal action.

Michael Goulding alleged that he had “cleared his criminal records such that his ownership would not endanger FChugg’s liquor license” and told representatives of the Utah Division of Alcohol and Beverage Control that he was now the person authorized to conduct the business of the corporation, the complaint alleges. The FChugg board was made aware of the communication on Dec. 28, 2021.

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The complaint says that Michael Goulding has never provided evidence of his assertion that his criminal record was expunged.

The complaint continues that once the $60,000 unauthorized withdrawal

by Michael Goulding occurred on Dec. 31, 2021, the corporation determined it needed to have the locks to the building changed to prevent the defendants from accessing the building without authorization. Richter and his husband Micheal Repp, who is also an employee of the bar, left on a planned vacation outside the country on January 1, 2022.

In their absence, the defendants are said to have shown up at the bar, declaring themselves to be in charge of the business. Michael Goulding announced that he had fired Repp and bar manager Donald Neeley. The complaint says that FChugg employees that disagreed with the action would be terminated. Neeley was forcibly removed from the bar.

The complaint also alleges that the defendants drilled holes in the new locks after the bar was closed, that numerous attempts were made to access the corporation’s business records, that there was an attempt to change the company’s password for the security system and cameras, and there were attempts to change the passwords on social media accounts and point-of-sale system.

The complaint says the defendants told employees and customers that they were engaging in a “coup” and a “takeover” while disparaging the reputations of Richter, Repp, and Neeley.

On Jan. 10, 2022, Richter contacted the Utah DABC to obtain a temporary suspension of the business’s liquor license beginning Jan. 11.

An attempt to negotiate an agreement between the parties was unsuccessful, which is why the complaint was filed with the Third District Court of Utah.

As of the date of printing, none of the defendants have filed a response to the complaint nor replied to requests to be interviewed for this story. Q

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LGBTQ+ seniors now qualify for Social Security survivor benefits LGBTQ+ seniors may be eligible for a lump sum for years they were denied survivor benefits due to anti-LGBTQ discrimination and up to double the amount of monthly Social Security income they previously received.

Survivor benefits are for widows and widowers paid by the Social Security Administration when their spouse dies.

The benefits are typically used to pay bills that the couple once shared, documented by a marriage license, shared loans, or a child’s birth certificate.

Because same-sex marriage wasn’t legalized in all 50 states until 2015, the Social Security office historically denied claims from LGBTQ+ widows and widowers with documentation of their shared finances with their deceased partner.

LGBTQ+ legal group Lambda Legal represented widow Helen Thornton and widower Michael Ely in twin lawsuits Thornton vs. The Commissioner of Social Security and Ely vs. Saul, filed with the Supreme Court in 2018. In November 2020, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Thornton and Ely, but the Trump Administration appealed the ruling, blocking LGBTQ+ elders from accessing their benefits.

The Biden Administration recently removed the Trump-era appeals, and LGBTQ+ elders can finally access their survivor benefits. Thornton was awarded $72,000 and Ely was awarded $90,000 in lump sums for the years they were denied survivor benefits.

If you are an LGBTQ+ senior widow or widower, you may be eligible for survivor benefits that can double the amount of Social Security income currently received and a lump sum death benefit of $255.

Here’s how to access those benefits.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? According to the Lambda Legal, a couple must have been married for more than nine months to claim benefits.

The surviving spouse can apply at age 60, or at age 50 if living with a disability, or at any age if caring for a child adopted with the deceased.

A surviving spouse who was previously denied survivor benefits by the Social Security Administration because same-sex marriage was not yet legalized

can reapply for survivor’s benefits at any time, or appeal a previous claim.

Questions the SSA will ask include when the state you were living in legally allowed same-sex marriage; whether you would you have been married if there were no laws barring same-sex couples from marriage; did you have a commitment ceremony or register as domestic partners in your city, state, or employer; how long were you together; when did you consider each other family; did you live together, if so, for how long;

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did you own property together?

Documentation can include a death certificate, photos or written proof of a commitment ceremony, if you had one, and any documentation of your attempts to file domestic partnership with any government entity or state, dated photographs, and shared financial documents, such as a mortgage, title, or lease.

To apply for survivor benefits, call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213, or visit a local field office to get further assistance in accessing your benefits. Mention emergency message codes EM-21007 SEN REV, code 529, and EM-20046 SEN REV 2 to speed up the process.

Visit Lambda Legal’s FAQ pages at lambdalegal.org for more information.

LGBTQ, HIV groups urge President Biden to create PrEP program Over 100 HIV and LGBTQ+ groups sent President Biden a letter urging him to include the creation of a national grant program for the HIV prevention medication PrEP in his 2023 budget.

Signatories of the letter — which include public health organizations, providers, community health centers, and more — contend that a national grant program would help to expand PrEP into marginalized communities that face significant disparities in PrEP access and uptake.

“A comprehensive nationwide program dedicated to PrEP would be instrumental in improving HIV prevention, particularly among minority and low-income communities,” said Carl Schmid, executive director of the HIV+ Hepatitis Policy Institute. “A major component of ending the HIV epidemic includes greater access to these drugs.”

Currently, only one in four people eligible for PrEP are taking it. The uptake is particularly low among certain minority populations, with just 8 percent of Black people and 14 percent of Latino people eligible for the medication, compared to 63 percent of white individuals.

To mitigate those disparities, the signatories requested that Biden allocate $400 million to establish and implement a national PrEP grant program in his 2023 budget. This funding, which they say is needed for community and provider outreach, would go to commu-

nity-based organizations responsible for providing HIV prevention services, especially in communities with low access and uptake. Organizations include health departments, Indian tribal communities, rural health clinics, Ryan White clinics, sexual health and family-planning clinics, and others.

The letter’s signers state that this funding will further the efforts of the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. — which aims to reduce new HIV infections by 90 percent in 2030, in part by expanding PrEP access.

Additionally, their proposed program would fund ancillary services and PrEP medications for underinsured and uninsured individuals. Members of Congress have already introduced two bills to increase and support PrEP access at a national level.

“Increased federal investment in HIV prevention medicine is absolutely necessary to prevent HIV,” said Schmid. “We hope President Biden will honor our request, which will help uphold his commitment to ending HIV in the United States.”

With President Biden’s budget expected out next month, the organizations hope the federal government will consider the national PrEP grant program in its efforts to combat HIV in the United States and help remedy racial health disparities. Q

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Q mmunity Equality Utah to host annual PAC Brunch fundraiser Equality Utah is asking you to join them Saturday Morning March 12th for what they call an unforgettable brunch experience filled with amazing people and delicious food and drinks.

“The power to our PAC started 21 years ago when a group of community leaders formed the Equality Utah Political Action Committee to elect pro-equality candidates in every corner of the state,” they said in a statement.

The keynote speaker will be Shannon Minter.

“With our origins of power in mind, we could think of no better speaker to share our morning with than Shannon Minter an LGBTQ legend and civil rights hero. Lawyer, Legal Director for NCLR, and Founder of The Born Perfect Movement. Shannon led efforts across the country to ban conversion therapy, saving tens of thousands of

LGBTQ lives. In every political victory we have had from banning conversion therapy to overturning ‘No Promo Homo’, Shannon has been a powerful force. We think it’s time you got to know him better,” they continued.

The morning will also include music from the powerful local sensation MACK, who comes to knockdown the house with her innate vocal gifts that are sure to leave us all inspired.

A powerful morning for an even more powerful cause, get your tickets now and support us in electing pro-equality candidates across the state.

Tickets are $125 to $2,000 at equalityutah.org/pac-brunch

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Davis County Pride The first LGBTQ+ pride parade and rally in Davis County will be held in Layton, Utah on April 23.

Volunteers can sign up by clicking here.

The group is planning a youth choir to sing “Seize the Day” to kick off the event. Youth interested are asked to register here.

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views

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Justin Utley responds to Brad Wilcox’s ‘apology’ “So, race and priesthood weren’t the only offensive and problematic parts of your sermon, Brad.

Still, overall, no matter how cringe, what you said is supported by #Mormon doctrine, Mormon history, and sermons given by other Mormon prophets/apostles.

I CAN relate, however, to the segment where you said “if you leave you lose everything.” I was raised in the LDS church. Devout.

Served on Seminary and Institute councils. I served a mission, went through conversion (exgay) therapy at the behest of my bishop and LDS Family Services. I did everything I could do to stay devout. But it wasn’t enough. It wasn’t sustainable or realistic.

In desperation, I left to forge my own path. And you were absolutely right. I did indeed lose everything: I was shunned by members. I was ridiculed and humiliated by bishops and stake presidents. Blacklisted. I lost my purpose. My support system. My dignity. My identity. My friendships. My relationships. Opportunities. And it almost cost me my life.

But you know what? In losing everything I was told, taught, and promised, I gained so much more. I learned true self-respect.

My world view expanded. My empathy and compassion for others grew by leaps and bounds, without ulterior motives. I was free of the shackles of cognitive dissonance and confirmation bias. I came to know a god that I’d never known or couldn’t have ever known before Had I not stepped away, and lost “everything”, I wouldn’t have gained everything. I wouldn’t be alive. I wouldn’t be thriving. I wouldn’t know true happiness.

I wouldn’t have had the incredible experiences and gained the powerful perspectives I now have as a result of being an “outsider” in a truly amazing world of possibilities. The horizon is so much bigger and so much more beautiful than I ever imagined before.

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guest editorial

Years after disavowing conversion therapy, does the LDS Church still practice it in the afterlife?

BY KEITH BURNS

For the

nearly 200 years that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been in existence, it has held to a view that marriage between a man and woman is ordained of God and, therefore, crucial to one’s happiness in this life and one’s final status in the afterlife. Inextricably linked to this heteronormative framework is a condemnation of homosexuality on the grounds that it confuses gender roles and fundamentally defies God’s plan.

Rhetoric from LDS leaders around homosexuality became increasingly harsh and public during the 1950s and 1960s, in large part as a reaction to prominent lesbian and gay liberation groups gaining increased political momentum. Frequently citing sodomy as an abomination and a sin just shy of murder, they framed homosexuality as a viral contagion and serious threat to individual, familial and societal well-being, one that required urgent treatment and forceful eradication. This way of thinking paved the way for the widespread practice of conversion therapy (also known as reparative therapy). Under the guise of “healing” and “helping” homosexuals “overcome their same-sex attractions,” the LDS Church justified decades of inhumane and sometimes torturous methodologies.

The church implemented its first large-scale conversion therapy programs in 1959 at church-owned Brigham Young University. Church leaders and mental health professionals oversaw electroshock therapy programs, nausea-inducing chemical treatments and a host of other dehumanizing methods in an attempt to change the sexual orientation of homosexual students. Church leaders and BYU administrative officials grounded these practices in psychodynamic theories of sexual malleability and fluidity, leveraging a host of “homosexuality causes” that often had to do with poor parenting, masturbation, pornography and a confusion of gender roles, among many others. BYU officials also conducted regular “purges,” which were large-scale interrogations of students suspected of homosexual activity.

As mental health professionals grew increasingly critical of the harmful emotional

and psychological effects of conversion therapy (let alone its ineffectiveness), the Church adopted a more ambiguous stance in the late 1990s and early 2000s. LDS general authority and spokesperson Lance Wickman said in a 2006 interview that they “can’t endorse the aversive therapies recommended in the past to fix this affliction,” but the Church “does not counsel against it.” In the same interview, prominent leader Dallin Oaks supported this position by stating that it “may be appropriate for an individual to use clinical therapy to seek to diminish or eliminate homosexual feelings.” Church leaders like Wickman and Oaks were still holding on to a view of sexual malleability from their predecessors that created the possibility for “saving” the homosexual. A decade later in 2016, the Church was less ambivalent and began collaborating with suicide prevention and LGBTQ+ civil rights organizations, calling for an end to “any therapy that subjects an individual to abusive practices.” This shifting stance contributed to the eventual passing of legislation in January 2020 banning licensed mental health therapists in Utah from practicing any form of conversion therapy on minors.

Although the LDS Church officially disavows conversion therapy, current rhetoric from LDS leaders maintains the viewpoint that homosexuality is a pathology, an affliction and a potential sin (if “acted upon”). Within this framework, same-sex relationships are still deemed as less valid in God’s eyes than heterosexual relationships and unfit for the celestial kingdom (the highest degree of heaven in LDS theology). Thus, it is still assumed and sometimes said directly that people with same-sex desire will be “cured” or “fixed” by God in the next life. For example, President of the Church, Russell M. Nelson said: “But what of the many mature members of the Church who are not married? Through no failing of their own, they deal with the trials of life alone.

Be we all reminded that, in the Lord’s own way and time, no blessings will be withheld from His faithful Saints.”

This notion that unmarried members who stay faithful will have all the blessings of heaven, including heterosexual

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marriage, has been echoed by LDS leaders for decades. (And for gay and lesbian members, staying faithful means choosing celibacy or a mixed-orientation relationship). A more explicit version of this idea is in a 2007 pamphlet created for people who “struggle with same-sex attraction” called “God Loveth His Children:” “The perfect plan of our Father in Heaven makes provisions for individuals who see to keep his commandments, but who, through no fault of their own, do not have an eternal marriage in mortal life. As we follow Heavenly Father’s plan, our bodies, feelings, and desires will be perfected in the next life so that every one of God’s children may find joy in a family consisting of a husband, wife, and children.”

Embedded in this statement is the notion that God will root out same-sex desires from people in heaven and allow them to fully experience his blessings, which consists of a heterosexual marriage and children. This belief explains why so many LDS members continue to speak of homosexuality as a temporary affliction, a trying temptation and an unfortunate condition that will one day be lifted from the individual who “struggle” with it. While the Church may officially condemn conversion therapy on earth, many members and leaders continue to imply (and sometimes state explicitly) that it takes place in heaven.

So why did the Church officially distance itself from conversion therapy in recent years, while maintaining a theological framework that involves converting people from gay to straight in heaven? Perhaps it is more about public relations and preserving the Church’s image, as it would be nearly impossible in today’s culture for the Church to maintain an explicitly affirming stance of conversion therapy. If it were truly about embracing lesbian and gay individuals and identities, LDS authorities would also condemn conversion therapy in heaven. They would acknowledge that the depression, anxiety and self-hatred so often linked with its practice on earth would similarly exist in heaven. For the emotional, physical and spiritual well-being of sexual minority church members, LDS leaders must create an actual theological space for the existence and validation of lesbian and gay individuals, one in which heavenly glory does not hinge upon one’s sexual identity and romantic relationships. Q Keith Burns is a graduate student at Sarah Lawrence College who specializes in Mormonism & Sexuality.

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who’s your daddy

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Who’s your doctor?

BY CHRISTOPHER KATIS

Recently,

I helped Gus find a new doctor — he’s an adult now and can no longer see our family pediatrician.

We always had pretty good luck choosing pediatricians; they’ve been accepting and respectful of our family dynamic. Of course, we chose them the same way many parents do: we ran down a list of providers that took our insurance and chose the one that was closest to where we lived.

But LGBTQ+ families shouldn’t have to rely on luck when choosing a doctor

who is a great fit for their family. Thankfully, there are a growing number of resources to help our families make the right choice.

Ellen Kahn, the senior director for programs and partnerships at the Human Rights Campaign, worked with the American Academy of Pediatrics to create a list of resources for doctors. It covers a wide range of AAP policy statements on topics from promoting the well-being of kids with gay parents to best practices for office-based care for queer youth. They

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also offer resources for families, including topics about gender identity.

But what steps can parents take to determine which pediatrician is best for their child and family?

Well, I had an opportunity to speak with Dr. Molly O’Shea, M.D., FAAP, about it. She’s a pediatrician, consultant, and parent coach based in Birmingham, Michigan. She knows a thing or two about the topic.

She told me, “Look at the practice website and social channels. How the pediatrician and practice present themselves to the world is how they will support you. If you see no representations of gay families, gender-neutral pronouns, or other evidence of public support that may be a red flag. It doesn’t mean that individual providers can’t offer you the very best care, but the system they are working in may not be completely supportive of who you are.”

Parents, she suggests, should interview the practice.

Tailor your questions to your family’s specific needs. Don’t be afraid to ask about the provider and staff. Ask if they think the practice is “tolerant, accepting, or embracing” of LGBTQ families. Let them decide which adjective best describes the team.

“If families have a transgender child or are transgender themselves, ask about how they have supported other families with this background.

If they have not yet had any, ask about what makes them interested and willing to care for your family,” she added.

Most importantly, Dr. O’Shea suggests, “Listen to your gut. You know when you have found a good fit.”

For all of our good luck, we did have one bad experience with a pediatrician; when Gus was in first grade, our regular doctor was out because of an emergency, and we met with one of his colleagues. This older gentleman wasn’t the warmest guy but, whatever, it was a one-time visit. Then he did it: he asked, “what does mom think?” We politely skirted around the question. He, however, kept coming back to it repeatedly.

Finally, Kelly frustratedly barked, “I’m the mom!”

I sought Dr. O’Shea’s advice about what LGBTQ+ families should do if they have a bad experience with a provider. She said, “No matter who you are, being treated with respect and dignity and having your needs met in a care setting is the priority.

When someone treats you poorly anywhere, sharing that experience with them is an opportunity for growth.”

Hopefully, Gus’s new adult doctor will be as caring and attentive as his pediatrician. At least he won’t have to explain which of his parents is the “mom.” Q You can see the AAP guidelines at aap.org and contact Dr. O’Shea at drmollyoshea. com or @doctormollyoshea on Instagram.

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Qsaltlake.com

creep of the month

Fla. Gov. Ron DeSantis

BY DANNE WITKOWSKI

As I write

this, COVID-19 has killed over 900,000 people in the United States.

It’s a hell of a number.

900,000 deaths in just a couple of years, and that’s likely an undercount. The COVID-19 pandemic is the deadliest mass casualty event in U.S. history. Greater than the Civil War, which saw an estimated 750,000 people killed in four years. We have literally outdone ourselves. A very sick and shameful achievement.

But don’t worry, the Republican Party is hard at work telling people that vaccines are bad and that this is a hoax and that we all just need to “go back to normal.”

The “pro-life” party my ass.

While each day we grow closer to one million dead from a virus that we have a safe, effective and free vaccine for, Republicans in Florida are focusing on what’s really important: terrorizing LGBTQ+ students in the public school system.

Just as right-wing freakouts about wearing masks, vaccinations and teaching white children that racism is both real and bad are happening under the pretense of “parental rights,” so too is Florida House Bill 1557. Dubbed the “don’t say gay” bill (and if that moniker sounds familiar it’s because this bill isn’t the first of its kind), the legislation “would ban primary school

discussion of LGBTQ people or topics, could require school officials to notify a parent if a student comes out as LGBTQ, bans schools from withholding that information from parents in many cases, and allows parents to sue if schools violate those policies,” according to The New Civil Rights Movement.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is apparently all for it. “DeSantis defended the legislation as necessary to stop an apparent trend in schools of helping students figure out issues of sexual orientation and gender identity,” reports Florida Politics.

DeSantis is convinced that Florida needs such a law because he knows a guy who knows a guy whose mom’s hairdresser’s twin sister’s niece’s dog sitter’s brother totally had a school official encourage and accept the use of they/them pronouns without immediately notifying the parents that their kid was some kind of sick weirdo.

“In terms of the schools, we’ve seen instances of students being told by different folks in school, ‘Oh, you know, don’t worry, don’t pick your gender yet. Do all this other stuff,’” DeSantis said in the Florida Politics article. “They won’t tell the parents about these discussions that are happening. That is entirely inappropriate.”

Wow, such compelling proof, rich with details and

specific evidence. I can’t believe that there have been “instances” of “students” being told by “different folks in school” to “do all this other stuff.” Florida definitely needs a law against it.

Support of such a harmful and unnecessary bill should surprise no one given DeSantis’s awful anti-LGBTQ+ track record, which includes his signing legislation over the summer to ban transgender athletes.

Chasten Buttigieg has been very outspoken against the law. “This will kill kids,” he tweeted to Gov. DeSantis on Jan. 20. “You are purposefully making your state a harder place for LGBTQ kids to survive in. In a national survey (@TrevorProject), 42% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide last year. Now they can’t talk to their teachers?”

It’s unconscionable. And, as Buttigieg points out in an interview with MSNBC, the harm has already begun.

“Whether this bill passes or not, it’s important to point out that trauma has already started,” Buttigieg says. “[LGBTQ youth] see us talking about it. They see their identity up for debate right now.”

As just about any LGBTQ+ person can tell you, that kind of trauma is real and lasting.

It doesn’t simply go away.

“DeSantis is taking a page from Anita Bryant’s playbook, using anti-LGBTQ legislation as a springboard to serve his national political ambitions,” Nadine Smith, Equality Florida executive director, said in a Feb. 7 statement.

“He is willing to inflict harm on the most vulnerable in our state in order to shore up his extremist base.”

This isn’t about political disagreement. This is fundamentally about an extremist state government deciding whose lives matter and whose do not. And I want to make it very clear: Your life matters.

If the weight of all of this anti-LGBTQ+ shit is getting you down, please talk to someone. The Trevor Project can connect you with a crisis counselor any time, day or night. Asking for help takes strength and bravery.

Being Ron DeSantis and using your position of power to hurt LGBTQ+ kids and families? Not so much. Q D’Anne Witkowski is a writer living in Michigan with her wife and son.

She has been writing about LGBTQ+ politics for nearly two decades. Follow her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.

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lambda lore

David & Charlie

The relationship between Joseph Smith’s youngest son and another man Part 1

BY BEN WILLIAMS

Romantic

friendships in the late 19th Century are hard to delineate from what is recognized as homosexuality by today’s standards. Many male relationships from that period were often simply homo-emotional, meaning that physical intimacy between men was nearly impossible as it was viewed as “unmanly,” “unnatural,” and “abominable,” as well as being criminal according to the social construct of the time.

Acting upon deep emotional love was constrained, especially among the deeply religious, and the desire for a more physical intimacy often led to psychological distress. This may have been the case between the friendship of Joseph Smith’s youngest son David Hyrum Smith [1844–1904] and a young Dane named J. Charles Jensen [1847–1925].

It was noted that, besides David’s wife, his brother Joseph Smith III, and his mother Emma, Charles Jensen provided him “one of the most important personal relationships in his life.”

There is no evidence that the pair were ever physically or sexually intimate beyond sharing a bed, however, their relationship was definitely homo-emotional, especially on the part of the youngest son of the “Prophet Joseph.” However, on the part of Charles Jensen, whom David Smith referred to as “Charlie,” it appears his feelings were much deeper.

The difficulty in determining the extent of the relationship between the two young men is due to the fact that David H. Smith’s posterity only kept letters written by Smith and not any of Jensen’s.

Only David’s responses to Charles’ letters suggested an intense love between the pair.

Smith’s letters imply there was a physical attraction to David on the part of Charles, however, there is no real evidence that David may have loved Jensen more than as a friend, except through conjecture.

PHOTO BY BOB WOOD

Nevertheless, of David’s thousands of acquaintances, due to his being Joseph Smith’s son, he had but “one good friend,” and that was Charles Jensen.

No records exist of Smith having any other friend. Charles’ friendship with David “offered intense affection that bordered on the erotic with Smith deflecting any physical attraction.”

None of David Smith’s correspondence indicated that he was offended by Charles Jensen’s “unspecified demonstrations,” and if Charles’ love for him was of a homosexual nature, to David Smith’s credit his only reaction to it, was demonstrated by “heighten concern,” and not by any remonstrative rebuke. David reassured Charles in letters he wrote him, that he “loved him and deeply respected him for his forthright honesty,” but he attempted to set parameters on his own emotional life.

The two young men had much in common, which helped bond their friendship.

Both Charles and David had “built lives without fathers” and were raised by mothers with strong personalities. They were both artists and were interested in the scientific exploration of the natural world, “knowledge which nourished the secular side of David’s soul.”

They both were deeply involved in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, commonly known then as the Josephites, which they believed was the legitimate successor to the church which David’s father had founded.

They both had a mutual disdain for “western Mormonism,” also commonly known as the Brighamite Church, and for Brigham Young in particular, who they viewed as a usurper. The pair also practiced Joseph Smith’s “Word of Wisdom” and “abhorred tobacco,” abstained from alcohol, and “billiard parlors” in an attempt to live “Christ-like” lives.

More than anything else, Jensen’s

friendship was said to have “eased the ache of loneliness” for Smith.

David Hyrum Smith was born nearly five months after his father was assassinated. At the time of his birth, Eliza Snow, a Mormon poet and plural wife of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, wrote a verse commemorating David’s birth. The last stanza contained the words, “Thou may’st draw from love and kindness, All a mother can bestow; But alas! On earth, a father, You art destin’d not to know.”

Some claimed that Joseph Smith ordained his unborn child as his successor.

David was raised by his mother, Emma Hale Smith, and her second husband, Lewis C. Bidamon, and was reared in the Nauvoo Mansion. In 1860, when he was 14 years old, his eldest brother, Joseph Smith III, organized the unaffiliated Mormons of the Midwest into a new church as the legitimate successor to his father’s church. David was baptized in 1861 into what became the RLDS Church, now known as the Community of Christ.

David Smith was noted for having

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Everything from Angels to Zen

an excellent singing voice, being an oil painter, and writing poetry, which as a young man “often revealed his personality and emotional struggles.”

One such poem contained the lines, “I strive to win again the pleasant thought; The music only speaks in mournful tone; The very flowers wear a shade, and naught Can bring again the halo that is gone; And every company my soul hath sought, Though crowds surround me, finds me still alone.

I turn unto my tasks with weary hands, Grieving with sadness, knowing not the cause Before my face a desert path expands, I will not falter in the toil, nor pause; Only, my spirit somehow understands This mournful truth — I am not what I was.”

HESPERIS, “I AM NOT AS I WAS,” JANUARY 1872

A lonely melancholy seemed to possess David, and in 1869 he wrote to Emma Smith Bidemon, “Mother I must tell you … I feel very sad, and the tears run out of

my eyes all the time, and I don’t know why. … strive as I will my heart sinks like lead. … I must tell someone my troubles.”

That loneliness would be eased by his intense relationship with Charles Jensen, although David married in May 1870 at the age of 25.

The 1870 federal census of Nauvoo listed David as living in his parent’s home with his 19-year-old bride. His occupation was listed as being an “oil painter.”

There is no indication that his marriage was more than a sense of duty and as a cure for his loneliness. It was stated that while on his last mission to Utah, David confused his “homesickness” for his wife with simple “loneliness” as he had never engaged with her on any emotional level. However, David achieved his “emotional breakthrough with Charles, who loved him as a friend, and perhaps beyond friendship.”

David and his wife would have a son but then they separated in 1877 when David was committed, by his brother Joseph Smith III, to the Northern Illinois Hospital and Asylum for the Insane in Elgin. He was confined there for 27 years until his death in 1904. In 1889, Charles Jensen had tried to keep David with him in Council Bluff but was unsuccessful due to David’s mental illness.

It was noted by historians that David’s mental deterioration probably started with a nervous breakdown “early in 1870.”

He had gone on a proselyting mission to Utah that year with his brother Alexander Smith hoping to convert Mormons dissatisfied over polygamy and Brigham Young’s autocratic control. While on this mission, the brothers stayed with their Smith cousins. David came to hate Brigham Young for his attacks on the character of his mother, Emma, who Young despised. After returning home David, he witnessed Charles being baptized by his brother Joseph Smith III. Q

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The New Queer Cinema movement paved way for today’s mainstream LGBTQ+ films. But at what cost?

‘You sacrifice something with a ‘Love, Simon’

BY GEORGE ELKIND

“We’re

not like them,” says one man to another, laying atop him on a dirty roadside. “We don’t have as much time — so we’ve got to grab life by the balls and go for it.”

The top in question is Luke (played

by Mike Dytri), an erratic, roving drifter pressing Jon (Craig Gilmore), newly diagnosed as HIV-positive, to stop daydreaming of any normalcy or broad acceptance. The film is Gregg Araki’s cynical, sharp-edged romance “The Living End,” which played Sundance, currently in its 44th year, in 1992.

As part of the New Queer Cinema, more a bright moment born of shared circumstances than a movement conceived deliberately, Araki’s film played alongside works by Derek Jarman (“Edward II”), Todd Haynes (“Poison”) and Tom Kalin (“Swoon”) at Sundance that year.

Enabled both by the success of Jennie Livingston’s “Paris Is Burning” there the year before and by the new availability of cheap, consumer-grade equipment,

these works responded to the violence of the Reagan era and especially the AIDS crisis, with barbed, subversive visions of queer political identity. Whether working in fiction or documentary, set in America or outside it, the filmmakers pressed ideas of queer experience that hinged on embracing a shared, de facto outsider status with a sense of relish that’s been all too rare in the years since.

According to Hollis Griffin, an associate professor at the University of Michigan in Communication and Media, Sundance helped — as a leader in a blossoming field of film festivals increasingly hospitable to queer work — to give the films it screened a form of credibility that didn’t negate the rebel status they held at that time.

“I think it legitimized [New Queer Cinema] in certain ways. Insofar as Sundance is obviously a major player,” says Griffin of the festival and arthouse film circuit.

“It gave New Queer Cinema an exhibition space and an audience that it would not, or might not, have found otherwise.”

Riding a wave of independent productions flowing from the surprise success of works like “Sex, Lies, and Videotape” in the late ’80s, film festivals then helped bring independent — and at times subversive, confrontational — works into public view. In the case of New Queer Cinema (a term coined by the scholar and critic B. Ruby Rich in The Village Voice), this meant exposing them to a new, wider, and not solely queer audience, a function different from that of explicitly queer film festivals. This all happened at a time when a home video market existed as more than just a niche when underground and arthouse cinemas could still have genuine hits, and film held a more central place in global culture than it does today. These realities broadened the number of ways that low-budget work could gain commercial footing. In this climate, a wave of queer filmmakers largely disinterested in profit acted with a sense of uncommon abandon, resulting in more creative, fiercely personal work.

“In the ’90s, we were more sort of experimental and weren’t really thinking about things like: ‘Oh, this movie is going to be a stepping stone to my Hollywood career.’ It was more like, ‘This is the movie I want to make, and I don’t care if it makes any money or anything.’

For me, that’s the kind of filmmaking I like; that’s what I still do,” says Todd Verow, whose oft-protested adaptation of Dennis Cooper’s “Frisk” played at Frameline and Sundance a few years later. Since that time, he’s worked under the aegis of his own production company, the New York-based Bangor Films.

But in the case of New Queer Cinema, this disinterest in a market (even as it gained one) proved aesthetically freeing.

When Luke, Araki’s drifter in “The Living End,” says, “I don’t care about anything anymore” or waves a gun around, it’s not just posturing, even if the feeling may pass. His sentiments are voiced from a place outside the bounds of mainstream society, requiring an acceptance of a kind of precarity mandated from the highest levels of power in the world on down.

This kind of existential recklessness born of circumstance colors a hearty portion of this work, and with good reason; for Araki’s peers Marlon Riggs and Derek Jarman, the AIDS crisis ended both their lives and careers, and such specters hung over the movement as a whole.

“I think it was about an urgency to make work and to not conform or try to get money to do it, just to use whatever means you have available and make the work that you want to make,” recalls Verow of working at that time. “It was about not making compromises for a mainstream audience or a straight audience, or you know, the marketplace; it was about making work that was important, or political or artistic, that didn’t give a fuck about making any money or getting any money to make it. Because of AIDS, I think there was an urgency to get work done.”

But these works didn’t just magically appear. They emerged from global

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aesthetic traditions influenced not just

by Hollywood or the more pop-subversive work of Jean-Luc Godard, but by gallery-based and underground filmmaking, which had long carved out niches hospitable to queer work, and which included a range of filmmakers Verow cites as precedents to his own artistry. Kenneth Anger, John Waters, the Kuchar Brothers, Andy Warhol, and Paul Morrissey figure for him and others as influences – as did the German auteur Rainer Werner Fassbinder. For a crop of directors straining to make something from almost nothing, there were ample lessons in these directors’ work.

“Coming from a sort of underground, low-budget [production], everyone’s sort of pulling their own weight and more: filming outside in a street without permission and using the headlights of cars to light exterior scenes, just having to work with what you got. And also shooting on film, so you can’t just shoot endlessly and have got to plan stuff out,” says Verow when asked what tied together New Queer Cinema works. “I think it’s a sort of underground punk-rock aesthetic — but queer — that united them all, really.’

In response to the same, Griffin points to those working methods but also to a shared set of thematic preoccupations: “From the vantage point of 30 years later, the stuff I find interesting about New Queer Cinema is a real attempt to

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square with history and with systems of representation. [Cheryl Dunye’s] ‘The Watermelon Woman’ and [Isaac Julien’s] ‘Looking for Langston’ are attempts to think about Black queer history, and to think about Black queer history and its relationship to dominant systems of representation,” he says, voicing an admiration for a recurring investment in “the problematics of history” as a way of grappling with identity in complex ways.

Griffin also points to Tom Kalin’s “Swoon,” a charged and graphic examination of the doomed romance between Leopold and Loeb, two real-life child-killers, as a demonstration not only of New Queer Cinema’s preoccupation with history but of its willingness to confront viewers with the ugly, frank and often kinky sides of intimacy and desire: a stark contrast to more congenial, flattering efforts in queer representation today.

“Everything has to be pleasant and loving, kind and politically progressive in all of the conventional ways.” But that contemporary vision of queerness comes, says Griffin, “at the expense of understanding desire and sexuality as bound up in not-necessarily pretty, progressive things.”

“Desire can be really dark,” he continues.

“Desire undoes the subject and sometimes in wonderful, world-making ways. But I don’t think that we’re living in a moment that can handle a lot of times a complicated take on sexuality, that would understand desire as a complicated category.”

In the past few decades, says Verow, it’s not just audiences but festivals, too, that have become more orthodox and even chaste in their aesthetic tastes. Much of the shift, he suggests, comes from an effort to appease imagined audiences.

“All the rough edges [of a film] have been smoothed away by going to labs, getting opinions from other people. So you’re left with the sort of shiny, happy end product that when you started out was [once] maybe a lot more interesting and dark and had something to say. I think that’s the main compromise,” he observes. “I think if you’re doing things real-

ly independently that you’re not thinking about the audience – you’re thinking about the film that you want to make.”

While the endpoint of New Queer Cinema can certainly be debated, its moment seems to have dissipated now. Though Griffin’s unresolved on just what caused this, he observes that it may have created a market that was quickly overrun by more commercialized production.

“I think there was a desire to stay an outsider in New Queer Cinema, and there was never the claim to cultural centrality or the desire to claim cultural centrality in the kinds of media that followed in the years after,” says Griffin. “New Queer Cinema created a consumer demographic that then was infiltrated by more commercialized cultural production.”

The suggestion is that these small, scrappy, early ’90s works couldn’t compete as time went on with bigger-budget material in a market they basically created. The “Milks” and “Philadelphias” and “Birdcages” that came just a few years later were works that showcased queer life, sure, but they had bigger budgets, and fewer subversions and so lacked a lot of New Queer Cinema’s rough edges. They didn’t speak in the same way from a marginal place situated on the roadside: one off the beaten path of accepted mainstream culture.

Whatever gains might have been made in negotiating for those gentler textures and trade-offs in representation, something was lost, says Griffin.

“At the end of the day, queer sexuality is fists and spit and overturning staid ideas about what bodies do, what identities do. You sacrifice something with a ‘Love, Simon.’ You sacrifice a more capacious understanding of the body’s relationship to the world, the body’s relationship to power, the body’s relationship to desire when you stop at them holding hands on the Ferris wheel. You just do,” Griffin says. “And I’m not saying that there’s no place for it. But I’m saying that that can very conveniently become an endpoint in ways that are stultifying.” Q

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Jonathan Van Ness Gets Curious The ‘Queer Eye’ grooming expert’s new Netflix show explores everything from bugs to being nonbinary

BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI

Before

I talk to Jonathan Van Ness about their new Netflix show, “Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness,” they take me on a little on-camera adventure that involves them “needing cuter light.”

They do a 180 with the computer. They swivel in their chair. “I need more natural light in my life, I’m sorry,” they say, still shifting and “getting comfortable.”

And then once they find that magical spot where the light hits their face in just the right place, the 34-year-old “Queer Eye” grooming expert grooms their computer, gently wiping the lens with a tissue. If you’re going to wear what they’re wearing — it appears to be a chiffon kaftan — you don’t want a dusty ol’ lens muddying its bright pink radiance, honey.

“I did an outfit change for you,” they say, having slipped into their new, flowier ensemble just before our interview.

Van Ness, who is also a children’s book author and one of just a few openly nonbinary public figures, rocks an entire closet of gender-nonconforming fashion on Season 6 of “Queer Eye,” which hit Netflix on New Year’s Eve 2021. On their new six-episode series, a TV adaptation of their podcast “Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness,” the multi-hyphenate even has an entire episode devoted to gender identity.

Featured in the episode, titled “Can We Say Bye-Bye to the Binary?,” are gender nonconforming activist Alok Vaid-Menon and Geo Neptune, the first two-spirit elected official in the state of Maine. With Van Ness, who says they hadn’t even heard the term nonbinary until the age of 30, Vaid-Menon and Neptune explore what their identity means to them and the history of our rigid gender binary. The show also intends to open up minds on other topics as well, such as why bugs aren’t so bad, figure skating’s minority barriers and, naturally, an entire episode on the history of coifs called “Why Is Hair So Major?”

All aglow through a freshly cleaned computer camera, Van Ness spoke to me about the “sense of ease” they feel now, a dream “Getting Curious” guest star they’re not sure they could form words around, and their very personal reason for being completely theirself around young queer people.

I watched a lot of “Getting Curious” yesterday and wanted to thank you for modeling curiosity, first of all. I think as adults we tend to lose our imagination and we just accept some things for the way that they are. Is that what you felt going into the show?

Well, I started “Getting Curious,” the podcast, in 2015. I’ve always been someone who loves to learn, and I’m just a very curious person. And I clearly love talking. So the idea — wanting to understand the world around me better — has been something that’s existed within me for as long as I can remember. So that

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was definitely something that I wanted the opportunity to break down on the Netflix stage ‘cause it’s a very big stage.

And I wanted to bring a more visual, multi-medium, multifaceted world in which the podcast — but as a TV show — could live. So I’m just really excited that we got the opportunity and that Netflix believed in me enough and that we can go explore the world together. So I’m just really excited that I have the opportunity and I hope everyone loves it.

You mention Netflix being a big stage, which it is. Is that why you were like, “You know what? We are gonna do an entire episode devoted to nonbinary and gender nonconforming people”? Yeah.

Being someone who is nonbinary is something that I think I’ve been my entire life. I only had language for it in these last few years. But the amount of trans misogyny that I’ve had to endure and live through in my own life pales in comparison to some of the trans misogyny that other people have had to go through within our community and within our trans community, specifically.

However, I wanted to humanize us.

And it’s not only my job to do this, obviously. But I wanted to have a time where we could talk and be together and learn together and just have that humanity, ‘cause I think so often we are portrayed in this way that it’s just not human. It’s only around, like, violence or this feeling of, trans people are coming for our way of life. Or trans people are coming for tradition. Or trans people are coming for sports. Or trans people are coming for public safety, or whatever it is.

And I wanted to show people that we are human and we are all sorts of different things that are not threatening, and actually very beautiful and amazing and are just as natural as the grass or rain. You know, we’ve been here forever. And I was really excited to get an

opportunity to share that information.

There aren’t a lot of nonbinary public figures in the world, and you seem to be aware of that as you’ve been using your platform to really educate people. Absolutely. I think that for me, being someone who was very mercilessly bullied all throughout my childhood and formative educational years, I’ve always been very moved by this thought of, “If I could make it easier for other people like me or put a little bit of an end to other people’s suffering, it would make my suffering more worth it.” And so I’ve always liked the idea of using what I’ve learned to help make other people’s lives easier.

I love that you said that because my colleague, whose queer son loves you, wanted to know how you feel when it’s a kid who looks to you as a huge inspiration as they’re navigating their own gender and identity. That’s a really good question.

I think sometimes when I see much

younger children, like in my standup comedy show, I just feel immediately guilty. I’m like, “Oh my god. I hope I don’t traumatize them, honey, ‘cause we are going there tonight.” So in that sense, it can be a little bit harder, but so often I think about Margaret Cho when I think about how I want to live my life as a public figure. I was introduced to her work at a very young age. I was maybe 10 or 11 when I first saw one of her specials on Comedy Central. And she did not hold back. She was herself. She is herself.

She’s a full-bodied version of herself.

And look at how I turned out. I’m fine.

So I just feel like I wanna be myself.

I don’t wanna totally limit my art or my creativity thinking about, like, “Oh my gosh, is this gonna be too much for someone?” I feel honored that people of any age would look to me and find more self-love, more self-acceptance, more comedy, more joy. More curiosity. So I think I wanna think about that because

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It’s Pride All Year at Native

#LOVEISLOVE

if I think about, like, “Oh my gosh, I’m a role model for a lot of young people,” and even just success in general, if I thought about it too much, I would become really full of anxiety and unsure of what to do. And so I think in order for me to stay connected to myself and my own vision, I have to not think too much about the way that it’s gonna be received.

Do you have moments in your mind where you’re like, “What would this have meant to little Jonathan growing up in Quincy, Illinois?” Very much.

And sometimes that’s actually another one of those feelings where sometimes I think if I felt that feeling all the way, I know I’d just be in a corner crying because I can’t believe

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that I’ve been able to do this with my life. But I do hope that other young people seeing me achieve what I’ve been able to achieve in my career won’t find it so shocking when they achieve their dreams. Because for me growing up, I felt like it was unheard of. I didn’t think that I was ever gonna see someone like me be so successful and beloved and accepted and able to create their own projects. It really is such an honor. And I want other people, especially young people, to look at me and think that they can do it too.

Is this your first season on “Queer Eye” identifying openly as nonbinary? I came out about being nonbinary in 2019, before we filmed

Photo by Britt Chudleigh PHOTOS COURTESY OF HARDEN AND CHITWOOD

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Season 5, but I don’t know if me talking about it in that season made it to air.

I wondered because you are fully yourself this season in a way that I hadn’t really seen before. You’re really embodying your whole self, even down to the fashion. Did you feel differently this season? Yeah.

I think it’s just been such a fast four years, you know?

From shooting Season 1 and 2 in Atlanta in 2017, which is when we actually shot that, and then Season 3 and 4, which we shot in 2018, really soon after the show had come out. Season 1 and 2 we shot together. Season 3 and 4, together. And then 5 was its own thing. And then 6 was its own thing. And so each one of those chunks I feel like I was in just a wholly different life situation every single time. Just neck-spraining differences in life situations. So I do think that the season between being married and … definitely this was the first season where I was public about my HIV status.

Just very public in all of the things. And so I think that

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that maybe did lead to just a more overall sense of ease.

In “Getting Curious,” you’ve got some great guest stars, including Rachel Dratch, Lea DeLaria and Michelle Kwan.

Who is on your dream guest star list for potential future episodes of the show? I mean, once you do have Michelle Kwan, I don’t know where else you’re gonna go from there. I kind of started with the most major one ever! But I mean, I feel like… is Adele ever available? Beyoncé?

Michelle Obama, honey? Like, I’m shooting for the stars, but I don’t know. Who knows?

Oprah? Oh my god, Oprah.

Aaah! I don’t know if I could even have Oprah ‘cause I think I would literally do that for the whole 22 minutes. Aah! Aaah!

I’d watch it. I would. The title of that episode: “Can Jonathan Form Words Around Oprah?” Q Chris Azzopardi is the editorial director of Pride Source Media Group and Q Syndicate.

He 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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If you’re

‘SCREAM’ KING Screenwriter Kevin Williamson on the real-life gay killers who inspired Stu and Billy, and what Sidney means to him

BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI

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still wondering about those homoerotic undertones 25 years after Billy Loomis and Stu Macher terrorized Woodsboro in Wes Craven’s “Scream,” you’ve been on the right track all along.

Ahead of the new “Scream,” openly gay screenwriter of the first “Scream,” Kevin Williamson, has confirmed that Billy (Skeet Ulrich) and Stu (Matthew Lillard), who are thought to be queer by many LGBTQ+ fan theorists, were based on infamous mass murderers Nathan Freudenthal Leopold Jr. and Richard Albert Loeb, both of whom reportedly admitted they were gay and in a relationship.

In May 1924, Leopold and Loeb, who’ve been called the “LGBTQ+ prototype for Bonnie and Clyde,” killed 14-year-old Bobby Franks as an act of intellectual superiority. It’s been called the “perfect crime,” one that has influenced Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rope” as well as the 2002 crime thriller “Murder by Numbers.”

Both are noted for their homoeroticism.

Now, nearly three decades after “Scream” came out, theorists can officially categorize “Scream” in that same queer-coded realm.

“It’s very sort of homoerotic, in the sense that there were these two guys that killed this other person just to see if they could get away with it,” Williamson said, drawing parallels between the Leopold and Loeb case and Billy and Stu. “And one of the reasons that one could get the other one [to follow] is because I think the other one was secretly in love with him. And it was sort of a fascinating case study on double murderers. If you Google ‘Leopold and Loeb,’ you will see. And you’ll read about it and you’ll get, OK, that’s Billy and Stu.” This wasn’t lost on “Scream” queen Neve Campbell, who has starred as the film’s Ghostface-fighting heroine mainstay Sidney Prescott. When I recently asked Campbell about Billy and Stu, she acknowledged a “burgeoning love relationship,” before elaborating on exactly what that means.

After calling them “pretty confused guys,” she said, “Maybe some of their

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anger comes from not being allowed to be who they want to be, if you wanna go there.” Was Stu more in love with Billy than Billy was with Stu? “Yeah, yeah.

Yes,” Campbell answered definitively.

“One was the follower and one was the leader,” Williamson said. “And that alone sort of sets up the dynamic of a hidden relationship.”

“Is Stu secretly in love with Billy?

Maybe. Did Billy manipulate that? Possibly,” added Williamson, who created “Dawson’s Creek” and wrote the screenplays for “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and “The Faculty.” “It’s all left up for you to wonder, because clearly Billy’s the one who was leading. Billy was the one who had the mother. Billy was the one who was sort of orchestrating it. And Stu was the person who helped carry it out. So it sort of put Stu in that position of, what was his feelings toward his best friend? That we do not know.

It’s just left to keep you wondering.”

Not everyone wondered. Some just knew. The 2000 comedy “Scary Movie,” which parodied scenes from “Scream,” picked up on the queer vibes between Billy and Stu. In one scene, Ray (Shawn Wayans), based on Stu, and Bobby (Jon Abrahams), based on Billy, joke about being gay, divulging to a Sidney-like character called Cindy (Anna Faris) that, “That’s right, Cindy, I’m gay. And in case you haven’t noticed, so is Ray.” Williamson admits that when he wrote the original “Scream,” which was released in 1996, he was “very hesitant to present the gay side of me in my work,” resulting in the queerness of characters Billy and Stu being “a little coded and maybe accidental.”

Now, he said, “maybe I’d be braver. Maybe I wouldn’t be that shy little gay writer who felt like he couldn’t get away with it.”

Williamson grew up in the South in both Texas and North Carolina, places where he understood “that fight for survival that you feel, like you’re trying to hide yourself. And then just trying to survive until you can get out of that small town and be yourself and express yourself.”

Recently, in an interview with The Independent, Williamson confessed that the “Scream” movies are “coded in gay survival,” with Sidney being, essentially, a manifestation of his struggles as a gay person.

“It’s always the survival tales that connects us,” he told me. “And so I think that’s one of the reasons Final Girls are so important to us as a gay audience.” Before he wrote Sidney, he related to Jamie Lee Curtis’ Laurie Strode in “Halloween” because, being gay, “he understands the “plight of the Final girl.”

“I know what it’s like,” he added. “I think gay kids everywhere understand that survival element that we have to sort of create in ourselves. And when we’re watching that Final Girl have to prove herself and rise to the challenge and save her life, I think that’s something gay kids anywhere can relate to.”

Touched by how many LGBTQ+ people have felt inspired by Sidney, Campbell told me her heroic character “gives people that confidence that they can overcome” and that she understands why “it makes sense certainly for the queer community and gay men. But I think also just for anyone who has struggled with bullying or challenges, and in their youth especially.”

And then, of course, there’s pushy, stubbornly pertinacious TV journalist Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) who, Williamson said, “would fit right in with the ‘Will & Grace’ crowd.”

“She represents one side of my voice,” he said, “which is part of who I am.”

In the new installment of “Scream,” titled the same as the original that was released to massive and ever-growing fandom 25 years ago, Williamson is reveling in the fact that there’s an openly queer woman of color, Mindy (played

by Jasmine Savoy-Brown, a queer actor of color), among the new teen cast.

Battling Ghostface alongside the new teens is the legacy cast, which includes Campbell, Cox and, returning as deputy sheriff Dewey Riley, David Arquette.

Of course Mindy is a result of a shift in LGBTQ+ representation — now, to queer-code characters would be an embarrassing step backwards — but Williamson also attributes the character to a shift in his own growth as a gay man.

That growth, he said, led him to write the character of Jack McPhee, an openly gay teen who appeared as a “Dawson’s Creek” series regular starting in 1998.

“I felt empowered,” he said. “I felt like, OK, now I can start expressing myself and really write that part of me that I really want to write.”

With Mindy in “Scream,” he feels great affection for the character who he says “just exists.”

“We’re in a place now where she’s just part of the group,” he added. “And it’s just part of life. I think that was beautiful.” Campbell, too, agreed it was “a beautiful thing.”

When Williamson received the director’s cut of the new “Scream,” which he executive produced but didn’t write, he watched it with his partner. His affection for Sidney runs so deep that, as he watched her appear for the first time onscreen, jogging down the boardwalk with her baby carriage, turning to the camera to answer a call from Dewey, he cried.

“I did,” he said. “I teared up.” Q Chris Azzopardi is the Editorial Director of Pride Source Media Group and Q Syndicate. He 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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In Antonio Marziale’s Sundance debut, ‘Starfuckers,’ he takes the piss out of men who abuse their power

BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI

Writing

and directing for the first time in his filmmaking career, Antonio Marziale didn’t make “Starfuckers,” which he also acts in, with the intention of it being among the short films to premiere at Sundance this year. But on Jan. 20, during the festival’s 44th year, Marziale’s exceptional 14-minute film did just that.

“I’m feeling lucky, to be honest,” the 28-year-old filmmaker, who is queer, said the day before its premiere.

Seen through Marziale’s queer lens, the erotic thriller places self-empowerment front and center as it comments on the #MeToo era. Marziale is also the breakout star of Netflix’s queer romcom “Alex Strangelove” and will soon appear in Netflix’s “Grendel,” based on the Dark Horse comic book series.

Here, he chats about how “Alex Strangelove” changed his career, playing a villain in “Grendel,” and what inspired his rousing drag performance in “Starfuckers.”

Did you make this with the intention of entering it into Sundance? No, but that’s always a dream that I think filmmakers have. The goal was making the movie that we wanted to make PHOTOS COURTESY OF SUNDANCE INSTITUTE

and making it as dynamic and alive as possible. When you’re making it, you’re so stretched thin you just are hoping nothing falls apart. [Laughs.]

How did the concept for “Starfuckers” come to you? My whole life I’ve been super inspired by drag queens and drag performance and how drag queens can often renegotiate the circumstances of their life through performance. A lot of drag queens, and just people who don’t exist under a normative identity under the patriarchy, have experienced some sort of struggle from that, and I feel like drag gives a lot of queer people the opportunity to really be themselves fully and adopt an alter ego. And I’ve always loved that idea, loved watching drag performances, loved lip-syncing in general.

This, to me, shines an important light on the more nuanced dynamic between powerful men and queer men. I appreciate you saying that. I’m glad that you feel that way after watching that.

Why did you want to tell that story?

I think the context of it existing in Hollywood is a nice way into the movie.

It’s a nice framework for the film to exist in. But it could have been something else, you know. It didn’t necessarily have to be that, but it kind of just plays into the idea

of performance and Hollywood, which ties into the second half of the film nicely. Obviously, these issues are not issues that just exist in Hollywood; they exist all over from people with privilege.

How are you describing your character to people? Oh gosh, I have never had to describe it. I don’t know. Wild? I mean, very resourceful and creative, definitely. I like that he’s also a mystery. You actually don’t know very much about any of the characters in the film. I wanted to make sure that you put characters in quite specific circumstances and the language has no choice but to speak from that circumstance versus us learning about the characters through exposition.

What have you learned from some of the filmmakers you’ve worked with, like “Alex Strangelove” writer-director Craig Johnson, over the years? Craig Johnson is a brilliant writer, and he has the ability to write scenes for five minutes or longer just between two actors talking with very specific writing, so it allows you to really infuse it with a lot of life. It’s so much fun getting to play in that world. I’ve always liked Yorgos Lanthimos — definitely an inspiration for the piece. I love “Dogtooth.” And even though [he’s not] queer, I find that he turns a shoulder a

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bit away from the audience.

His films are very specific but leave room for interpretation, and also don’t always hold the hand of the audience member.

And I always really appreciate that; it allows me to put the pieces together and become an active participant in the film. So that’s definitely an inspiration. I mean, obviously, Xavier Dolan is somebody who I’ve always looked up to and loved his movies, and many, many more. [Laughs.]

What was the biggest challenge for you being behind the camera for the first time? The challenge was not being behind the camera. I actually felt quite confident behind the camera. The challenge was in the small scenes I had to act in and also be the director. As an actor, you have the privilege of allowing the director to watch and you just have to be present and focus on the circumstances in the scene, but when you’re the director as well, you’re almost too smart. You’re being carried and having to carry at the same time, and it’s a big transition between being a leader and then having to switch into actually quite a vulnerable state of acting.

But I think we were smart in our preparation and Matthew Puccini, who’s another brilliant filmmaker in his own right, was helping me on set and took over a bit while I was in scenes. He understood the aesthetic of the film really well and has amazing taste, so there was a lot of trust built there.

How did “Alex Strangelove” change your career? It’s kind of why I was starting to get recognized. That was a strange experience, but it definitely gave me a lot of confidence and opened a lot of doors, which I was really

grateful for. It also brought me a lot of really wonderful friends. I just saw Daniel [Doheny] in Vancouver, and we’ve become really close.

And me and Madeline [Weinstein] talk all the time. And me and Craig have become really good friends as well.

I learned the term “Octo-cock” from your character. Oh my gosh. That is too funny. That role meant so much to me, and when I was auditioning for it, I just… I wanted it. That was just such a dream come true, getting to be a part of that. And Craig and I are still friends. I look up to him so much. [That movie] means a lot to me too, obviously, being a part of it. I think if I had seen it when I was young, it would’ve meant a lot to me, so it was kind of an emotional experience making that film.

And you’re working on something else for Netflix, currently.

What can you say about that project? It’s called “Grendel.”

It’s based on a comic book series, and Dark Horse Entertainment, who did “Umbrella Academy,” is producing it.

It’s really fun. It has a lot of queer tones to it, and I think it’s gonna be amazing.

Do you get to play a queer character? No, I actually play a bad guy in it. [Laughs.]

What else do you have coming up? I’m writing a lot right now. I’m sort of summoning, hopefully, the ability to make [“Starfuckers”] into something larger, and I feel really creatively connected to it. So that’s good. Q Chris Azzopardi is the editorial director of Pride Source Media Group and Q Syndicate. He 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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how it started. And within a week of that dinner, he sent me a text: “You should write a memoir.” That’s when I disclosed to him how much I hated writing, and he said, “It’s not that bad; you write a little bit at night before bed, and by the end of the year, you’ve got half a book written.”

My response was: “I’m not going to end my day doing something I hate. You don’t realize how much I hate it!” And I didn’t start writing until 2017 or 2018.

AIDS activist Peter Staley on his memoir ‘Never Silent’ and friend Dr. Fauci

BY LAWRENCE FERBER

A key member

of AIDS activist group ACT UP and a named plaintiff in the ongoing lawsuit against Gilead and other pharma companies for illegally extending the patent of PrEP and HIV medication tenofovir, Peter Staley will tell you that his life is an open book.

Yet it took years of nudging from friends, including Anderson Cooper, to actually write that book himself.

Released in October, Staley’s “Never Silent: ACT UP And My Life In Activism” (Chicago Review Press) is a jaw-droppingly frank 269-page read boasting a foreword

by Anderson and back cover blurbs

by Hillary Clinton and “Angels in America” playwright Tony Kushner.

While Staley’s experiences with activism and HIV — he was diagnosed with what they called “AIDS-related complex” in 1985 — comprised part of David France’s acclaimed 2012 documentary and 2016 book “How To Survive A Plague,” “Never Silent” details firsthand his personal highs and lows, including

sexual and romantic, and his transformation from a closeted Wall Street bond trader to out-and-proud full-time activist. It includes some of ACT UP’s most outrageous, effective actions, like infiltrating big pharma and government offices and covering hateful GOP Senator Jesse Helms’ house in a giant condom.

The book also delves into the infighting that led to ACT UP splintering, Staley’s later crystal meth addiction and his subsequent (and outrageous) street poster campaign to combat its use, how he stopped the Oscar-winning movie “Dallas Buyers Club” from being subverted by an AIDS denialist screenwriter (Vanity Fair recently published a gripping excerpt:), and exploits with policy power players like Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Recently, Staley, who also co-founded and serves as secretary of PrEP4All, discussed the book’s numerous revelations, things he left out, Matthew McConaughey, and X-rated bucket list accomplishments.

How did you become friends with Anderson Cooper, and how did he encourage you to write a memoir? Well, he was blown away by [the 2012 documentary] “How To Survive A Plague” and reached out by email and said, “If you ever want to get together, I’d really love that.” I jumped on that right away, of course, and we had dinner, and he gave me a tour of his house, I met the boyfriend, and that’s

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HUNTER HARDEN AND CORY CHITWOOD

What was one mistake you wanted to avoid while writing this? The biggest was being a blowhard, overstating my importance.

I think I’ve been pretty good at self-reflection most of my life, and I’m proud of what I’ve done. Still, I’m incredibly conscious of the fact that none of my first five years as an activist would have been noticed by anybody or made any difference if it wasn’t for the fact [that] I was just one member of a huge movement. 99.9 percent of my power derived from the collective for a good five years.

I was surprised by your level of frankness, especially regarding your sex life. The reveal that you contracted herpes even before your HIV diagnosis seems important, given how stigmatized that virus remains even today. Before AIDS, herpes was on the cover of Time magazine, and people would commit suicide when they got a herpes diagnosis. It was AIDS before AIDS. It was a really horrifying diagnosis, so, yeah, it was rough. But to be honest, I didn’t consciously think of that, to fight herpes stigma. You couldn’t tell my HIV seroconversion story without mentioning that’s how I found a doctor who helped save my life, [the late] Dr. Dan William.

Is there any progress on a herpes vaccine?

It feels like doctors and pharma have just thrown their hands up. It’s true. But if I [take acyclovir] every day, I never have an outbreak. Acyclovir came out after my HIV diagnosis, and I asked if I should stay on it every day, and my doctor said yes, so I’ve been on it every day since and have not had an outbreak.

You discuss your relationship with the late journalist and filmmaker Robert Hilferty, whose movie “Stop The Church” famous-

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ly documented ACT UP’s “die-in” at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in 1989. However, you didn’t mention his tragic suicide in 2009.

Why is that? I also don’t mention that Jef Mittleman, the beautiful Oberlin boy, died of an overdose, possibly a suicide — we don’t know — in a hotel room in NYC in 1994. The book is episodic, and each chapter tells of one specific action or period of time in my life, and if you were central to that narrative as I’m telling it, you’re in the book. It’s 99 percent me and 1 percent the people next to me. I don’t tell the rest of their stories because that would chop up the narrative.

But I loved Robert. That grin and laugh, there was something a little wicked about the guy, like he always had some goods on you. He was really perceptive and could read a person so quickly, and my god, he was sexy, and I don’t think he’ll mind a posthumous rating: he was incredible in bed!

Is there any story you left out and would, if you ever do a follow-up, include first? Yeah, about a failed action, hopefully with a successful second attempt. I posted on Facebook in late August this cryptic message about how I was mourning the five-year passing of an action that failed but might be reattempted. It involved dozens of people, a substantial budget, and was all very hush-hush.

We managed to extract ourselves from the situation without getting arrested, and that allows us to attempt it again in the future. The issue [it addresses] has not gone away. But if I do a memoir in my ’80s, it’ll be in that one!

I understand you were firm on not wanting ACT UP to be in the main title. What other possibilities did you consider before settling on “Never Silent”? I was scrambling for title ideas during the three years it took to write. A lot of memoirs use something personal that’s not obvious, but you discover its meaning when reading the book.

David France, of all people, suggested one that was like a lightbulb going off in my head: “Please Remain Calm.” You can hear me say it in “How to Survive a Plague,” and it became a funny line I would use whenever we invaded the offices of a

pharmaceutical company. And it has a double meaning. I was known for not being one of ACT UP’s hotheads. I was not a screamer. My activism was always very politically driven, and I rely on logic and model myself on Spock. But the publisher said no. The publisher wanted something obvious, and I’m always bad at reading the fine print in contracts, and in the publishing industry, unless you’re a Barack Obama, you have no say in the cover or title of your book!

I’m surprised that the publisher didn’t title it “Dr. Fauci’s BFF” or “Matthew McConaughey and Me”! I met Jared Leto, but I never actually met McConaughey. “Dallas” and “Plague” came out at the same time, and we were at a couple of events together for the awards circuit, and there was one moment I saw him leaving early, by the door alone waiting for his Uber,

I was known for not being one of ACT UP’s hotheads.

I was not a screamer.

My activism was always very politically driven, and I rely on logic and model myself on Spock.

and I thought I’d go up to him and say, “Hey, Matthew, I’m the guy who caused so much trouble before you started shooting!” But I left him to his phone.

Speaking of Fauci, the final chapter is titled “Dinner With Tony,” which addresses his evolution from “tentative leader unwilling to rock the boat” during the 1980s to a good friend. Can you elaborate further on how he’s changed? He slowly shed the widely held stubbornness of his peers in the scientific community that going slow and being methodical was sacrosanct. Without abandoning the basic tenets of high-quality scientific

research, there are all sorts of inventive ways to speed things up and expand access at the same time. He applied many of those lessons to COVID-19.

Has he read the book yet? He just got my book twice — an inscribed hardcopy for his bookshelf and a Kindle version that’s easier on his old eyes.

What’s the biggest perk or upside of having your story told through movies and books over the past decade? Are there activist groupies? I love the activist groupies!

I wish they were a larger percentage of the community, but that’s what tipped the scales for me diving into writing.

Not writing this book would be a lost opportunity, and that opportunity is inspiration because I’ve been contacted every week since 2012 by some millennial queer through social media [who] just saw “Plague,” and it changed their life.

A subset of them I stay in contact with, and they’ve become activists, gone into medicine, or nonprofit work. That has blown my mind. They’re the ones who give me hope, and I adore all of them.

Are shirtless pics welcome too? Yes. Dick pics. And I will send one back! Another story I didn’t tell in the book was [filmmaker and artist] Gregg Bordowitz was working at GMHC [an NYC-based AIDS service organization formerly called Gay Men’s Health Crisis] and tasked with creating a series of X-rated safe sex videos that were funny and sexy and had lots of condoms and dental dams. This was 1989. He mentioned this to me, and I said, “I’ll do it. I’m gonna die in a few years; I want to do porn. It was on my bucket list; what the fuck do I care? I gave up the dream of being president someday!” So I did a safe-sex short, and that summer, they premiered the video as part of the international AIDS conference in Montreal on a gigantic screen, and every AIDS activist in the country was there. I’m in the audience, slumping down, my hands over my eyes. [Laughs.]

If you dig far enough, you can find it!

It was actually part of Gregg’s exhibition at MoMA PS1 this year! My erect penis was in a museum! Bucket list! Q

36 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | COMICS

Blue J.

38 Ana’s Nin, for one 39 Cutlass, e.g.

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57 Same-sex vow, now 58 “Get thee ___ nunnery”

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First Baptist Church  firstbaptist-slc.org * office@firstbaptistslc.org 11a Sundays 777 S 1300 E 801-582-4921 Sacred Light of Christ  slcchurch.org 823 S 600 E 801-595-0052 11a Sundays Wasatch Metropolitan Community Church  wasatchmcc.org 801-889-8764 Sundays except the 2nd Sunday, 11:15a at Crone’s Hollow, 3834 S. Main SOCIAL

1 to 5 Club (bisexual)  fb.me/1to5ClubUtah  1to5club@

utahpridecenter.org 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

OUT U.S. OLYMPIC MEN’S SLOPESTYLE SILVER MEDALIST GUS KENWORTHY

umen.org

Alcoholics Anonymous 801-484-7871  utahaa.org LGBT meetings: Sun. 3p Acceptance Group, All Saints Episcopal Church, 1710 Foothill Dr

Tues. 8p Live & Let Live, Mt Tabor Lutheran, 175 S 700 E Wed. 7p Sober Today, 1159 30th St , Ogden Wed. 7:30p, Sober AF, Zoom mtg ID 748 896 1508, Password SLQ2020 Fri. 7p 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

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MARCH, 2022

Youth Survivors of Suicide Attempt  utahpridecenter.org/ programs/youth-familyprograms/  youthsosa@ utahpridecenter.org YOUTH/COLLEGE

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 The OUT Foundation  theout.foundation  fb.me/theOUTfoundation 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

Women’s Support Group  utahpridecenter.org/ programs/lgbtq-adults/  mariananibley@ utahpridecenter.org

Weber State University LGBT Resource Center  weber.edu/ lgbtresourcecenter 801-626-7271

Youth Support Group ages 10-14, 14-20

Youth Activity Night ages 10-14, 14-20  utahpridecenter.org/ programs/youth-familyprograms/

 utahpridecenter. org/programs/youthfamily-programs/

MARCH, 2022 |

Issue 333 |

BOOK REVIEW | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 39

Qsaltlake.com

the bookworm sez REVIEW BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER

And the Category Is...

Inside New York’s Vogue, House, and Ballroom Community

BY RICKY TUCKER, C.2021, BEACON PRESS, $25.95, 248 PAGES

You love Bette Davis.

Always have, always will.

Ever since Madonna vowed that she did, too, you’ve voiced your passion while you Vogued, whitegloved hands splayed, slap the floor, frame, pose, pose, pose. It’s not All About Eve this time; it’s all about you when you dance like that. And in the new book “And the Category Is...” by Ricky Tucker, you know where you do it.

The culture known as Ball-

q scopes MARCH

BY SAM KELLEY-MILLS

ARIES March 20–April 19 Everything that could go right will go right as long as you’re willing to make it work.

Get out of your head and try to let things flow. It seems like a good idea to imagine what could go wrong, but resist temptation.

TAURUS Apr 20–May 20 Spend time with someone you care about, whether it be a partner, pet, or friend.

Nothing is more comforting than spending quality time. There could be issues bugging you. Put them aside. Things will work out.

GEMINI May 21–June 20 Being overwhelmed can come in the form of work or friendship demands. Set boundaries with the right people

room is a little hard to define.

It’s not a single song, although you can’t have Ballroom without music.

It’s not one specific place; you can attend Ballroom classes in many places and dance wherever there’s a Ball.

Ballroom is “a freedom, a fearlessness... in deconstructing and reinventing oneself in front of a crowd...” And it’s “a thriving arts-based culture founded over a century ago

by LGBTQ African American and Latinx people of Harlem.”

“In so many ways, house-Ballroom culture is... the invisible creating visibility for themselves,” says Tucker.

In his eyes, Ballroom is “smart, innovative, loving, and funny...” At its very basic, it’s pageantry, masquerade, and glitz, and awards are given in various categories that exhibit “realness.” Hand-movements are graded, as are spins, dips, and the way one walks; what you wear is as important as how you dance. And yes, taking because things could go terribly wrong. Nothing is worse than wasted energy on a lost cause.

CANCER June 21–July 22 Accept an offer that challenges your comfort zones. Take care and look when looking into the things you are missing. Don’t spend more than you can afford to lose, but winning makes the game worth playing.

LEO July 23–August 22 Even if the path seems clear, there are obstacles to success that keep popping up. Deal with them one at a time and see opportunities to grow and show. There is always something to be gained in life.

VIRGO August 23–Sep. 2 The ending of a great story comes after a series of losses and sadness. The challenges may get you down, but the way forward is always rooted in the present. So give yourself time to find a happy, good place.

a Ballroom class is better than making a fool of yourself and bringing shame to your House.

That, by the way, could be a literal home led by a house mother or father and a multi-membered, created family for anyone who might need one.

Ballroom gives trans and gay people a safe place to be themselves and maybe win a trophy for it. It also offers Black dancers a chance to unite “under one cause: freedom” and to display “a powerful performative act of defiance” toward rich, straight, white cis people – even though there are many cis people who are Ballroom fans...

There are two ways of approaching “And the Category Is...”: one, if you’re a Ballroom follower or participant. Another, if you’re not.

Aficionados of Ballroom will devour every page of this personal memoir-mixed-with-cultural-history. They’ll love author Ricky Tucker’s breathlessly-told tale of finding Ballroom, and himself in it;

LIBRA Sept 23–October 22 No one likes a snitch, but there are good times to tell the truth. A friend or loved one is making a mistake and simply doesn’t understand how the world works. Try assisting by getting others involved.

SCORPIO Oct. 23–Nov. 21 How you feel about a significant other or close friend will lead to great places. The world revolves around whether you like to spin or not. So hold on and enjoy the ride. Just don’t ride alone, Scorpio. That would be sad.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22–December 20.

However, you decide to go forward, do it in style.

There will be many eyes on you this month, and it could make you more uneasy than expected.

Don’t worry about it and put on a great show. You deserve this.

his experiences in learning how to dance properly; and the sense of insider that he lends overall. Readers will also enjoy Tucker’s extensive interviews with LGBTQ BIPOC: Ballroom members, legends, organizers, activists, house parents, his own “fathers,” and other performers.

There, and in his analysis of the interviews, we see how defying racism is a large part of the essence of Ballroom, how HIV activism fits in, and how Ballroom has been appropriated for wider audiences.

On the other side of the dance floor, if you’re not into Ballroom, this book will take some getting used-to.

Tucker jumps in with both feet and very little preamble to prepare readers unfamiliar with Ballroom culture. Stick around; you’ll get it eventually, if you have patience.

If you don’t, then fasten those seatbelts. Reading “And the Category Is...” will make for a bumpy night. Q

CAPRICORN Dec 21–Jan 19

A new career path or opportunity is working out well.

Stick with what works, but don’t forget to analyze what is happening around you. A discovery of riches may not be around the corner, but satisfaction always is.

AQUARIUS Jan. 20–Feb. 18 Peaking out and seeing the world is a good idea for you. There has been too much time spent alone to make new friends. Have a party or social gathering either in person or virtually. Make those connections!

PISCES Feb 19–Mar 19 A good friend is about to become an even better one if you play your cards right.

The best way to get love is to give it, so give away whatever you desire. The return on investment will be a win-win for everyone.. Q

40 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | DEEP INSIDE HOLLYWOOD

deep inside hollywood

Qsaltlake.com |

Issue 333 |

MARCH, 2022

‘Queer Eye’ star Antoni Porowski joins cast of ‘Spoiler Alert’

BY ROMEO SAN VICENTE ROMEO

The Devil and Lee Daniels

Ivory Aquino makes history in ‘Batgirl’ for DC

You may recall hearing about the “Ammons Haunting” of 2011, in which an Indiana family allegedly tormented by demons consulted a priest to perform exorcisms.

The story made news because official entities like the Department of Child Services, the police, and various healthcare workers apparently were witnesses.

And now, after a major bidding war, Lee Daniels is planning to bring the as-yet-untitled film version of the sensational story to Netflix. Cast is already set: Academy Award nominee Andra Day (“The United States vs. Billie Holiday”) will star alongside Octavia Spencer, Glenn Close, Rob Morgan, Caleb McLaughlin and Aunjanue Ellis. Production is set for mid-2022, and expect some freaky special effects, as the story involves, Linda Blair-style, kids levitating and walking backwards up the walls. Say what you want about Satan being evil, but he’s mostly a stunt queen.

Ivory Aquino has been cast in the HBO Max feature film “Batgirl” as Alysia Yeoh.

In the DC comic book series Yeoh is Barbara Gordon/Batgirl’s best friend, and she is also transgender. Aquino, too, is trans, and that means the actress – who previously co-starred in “Tales of the City” and “When We Rise” – will make history as the first trans character in a DC Comics movie. Now, those of you paying attention will note that there’s been a DC Universe trans character on the CW series “Supergirl” (played by Nicole Maines), and that welcome first step has led to this exciting follow through with the DC film world. And of course the news broke first on Instagram. “Batgirl” star Leslie Grace (“In the Heights”) recently dropped the hint about the casting on her account, and it was just confirmed officially. As for the rest of the cast, “Batgirl” will feature J.K. Simmons and Brendan Fraser, as well as Michael Keaton as, yes, Batman. It all comes back around.

Jodie Foster joins Diana Nyad biopic The last time we told you about the Diana Nyad biopic in the works, Annette Bening was cast as the legendary lesbian long-distance swimmer (she made it from Florida to Cuba) and that was everything we knew. We also thought it was everything we needed to know. And then along came Jodie Foster, another legendary lesbian, who’s just been cast as Bonnie Stoll, Nyad’s coach and longtime friend.

And in case this project is fresh news for you, it’s called “Nyad,” it’s based on Nyad’s book, “Find a Way,” it’s adapted by Ann Biderman (“Ray Donovan”) and Julia Cox, and it’ll be directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin (“Free Solo”), making their narrative feature debut.

Here’s hoping that the addition of Foster signals more forward momentum on this long-gestating project, because we need it in front of our eyes sooner, not later. And the thought of these two titans on screen together makes us so excited we might just try to swim from Miami to Cuba ourselves.

PHOTO BY NETFLIX

‘Queer Eye’ star Antoni Porowski joins cast of ‘Spoiler Alert’ The latest project starring Jim Parsons, “Spoiler Alert,” has been in development for over three years now, which by Hollywood standards isn’t all that long, but the longer these things linger, it’s often the case that they become less likely to ever see the light of day. So it’s excellent news that more cast members have just been added to the project. The Michael Showalter drama based on Michael Ausiello’s memoir about being a caretaker for his terminally ill partner, photographer Kit Cowan, already had Parsons, Ben Aldridge and Sally Field in place. But now more names have signed on, including Tony Award winner Nikki M. James (“The Book of Mormon”), Jeffery Self (“Search Party”), Bill Irwin (“Rachel Getting Married”) and “Queer Eye” food guy Antoni Porowski. The addition of extra cast is welcome because it means cameras roll soon – we hope – and the addition of Porowski is particularly nice news because if craft services doesn’t show up he can make snacks for the crew.

Cate Blanchett teams up with Pedro Almodovar Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett (fun fact: she was the first actor in history

to win an Academy Award for portraying another Academy Award winner, Katherine Hepburn) will star in Pedro Almodovar’s first English-language feature, “A Manual for Cleaning Women.” The film will adapt Lucia Berlin’s collection of short stories of the same name. The project is in the early stages of development, so Blanchett is the only casting news so far. But consider this: “Manual” features over 40 stories of women involved in an extensive variety of jobs. And Almodovar is legendary for his expansive all-woman casts. If he decides to incorporate even a fraction of the book’s stories into one script, this is going to be a who’s who of amazing actresses. More to come on this one as the roll call unfurls.

Nia Long and Lili Reinhart add up to “Plus/Minus” Wanuri Kahiu is a lesbian director to watch. The rising star, born in Kenya, whose indie romance “Rafiki” was a hit at queer film festivals all over the world, has a Hollywood debut coming soon. It’s called “Plus/Minus,” with a first-time script from April Prosser (“Southland”), and it stars Luke Wilson, Nia Long, and queer “Riverdale” star Lili Reinhart. The story involves a young woman named Natalie, who, as she is about to graduate college, finds herself thrown into parallel realities.

In one life course, she becomes pregnant and chooses motherhood and smalltown Texas life. In the other she moves to Los Angeles and pursues a career. We’re big “Sliding Doors” fans here (who isn’t?) and this feels like it might be the update we’ve been craving. And while we don’t know if the character of Natalie is written as queer, it would kind of be icing on the cake.

Romeo San Vicente is here for it, whatever it is.

MARCH, 2022 |

Issue 333 |

FOOD & DRINK | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 41

Qsaltlake.com

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42 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | SEX

sex and salt lake city

Just Love

BY DR. LAURIE BENNETT-COOK

“Do you

miss it?”

I’m startled by his question, but keep my eyes on the road ahead of me and do my best to not reveal my surprise in his asking. In my 10 years since leaving my previous career, it’s not a topic that my dad and I had ever discussed, and yet, he asks so casually, almost as if he’s the one reminiscing. He’s looking out the window as the building along the side of the road comes into view.

Maybe it’s the long road trip we’re on that makes him open to this conversation.

Perhaps it’s his old age and the news of failing health.

Regardless, I answer honestly, not taking my eyes off the road: “I do.” His demeanor doesn’t change. Living an authentic life is important to me and hiding things about myself, no matter how controversial they may be, is not something I like doing with anyone — especially when that something lends itself to being one of the strongest experiences that shaped me into the person I am today.

So with that, I nervously decide I’ll be the one to push

Qsaltlake.com |

the conversation along. “You know what I miss most?” He doesn’t answer but turns his head inquisitively toward me.

“I miss the honesty of it all. I miss providing the space for people to share their deepest, most secret parts of themselves; and them knowing they were safe to do so.” He’s looking forward now but hasn’t given any impression he’s uncomfortable. Regardless, I stop there. It’s more than I’ve ever said out loud and might be all I’ll ever say to him on the matter. He looks out the window as the twinkling red lights fall farther behind us. I hold my breath, wondering if I’ve opened some can of fatherly disappointment. He surprises me when he looks forward and states: “I can see that. I visited a prostitute once myself. Did I ever tell you that? It was when I was in Vietnam.” He says this with as little emotion or judgment as if I had just shared my love of tacos over pizza.

That conversation was three years ago. According to his doctors, my dad shouldn’t have lived that long. More surprising, he lived three more years since then. These past three bonus years were probably the most honest years I had with him.

When all of us in the family were first faced with his death, we each made an unspoken but conscious effort to make the most of our time with him. On one particular day, I was sitting with him in his backyard. He was in a reflective mood, and so I took a moment to ask him about what words of wisdom he had for me or anything remarkable he learned over the years that he’d like to share. He looked at me and smiled and said simply: “Just Love.” I was

Issue 333 |

MARCH, 2022

a bit disappointed at this. I suppose at the time I was looking for something with more meaning or depth. But from there, our conversation continued, and it was then that I was brought back to our conversation on the road.

He said he never took issue with my career choice because doing so wouldn’t have been a loving gesture towards me.

Humbled, it brought me to consider all the ways my opinions or comments were the opposite of that. I like to believe that I live my life with a theme of “Just Love” towards others regardless of their own journeys. But I’m certain I fall short more often than I’d like.

In December, my dad passed. We all knew it was coming, but the finality of it was gut-wrenching. Fortunately, upon his passing, none of us can say we had any unfinished business with him or words left unsaid. While I thought that my experience of being able to be so transparent with him about something so controversial as a career in sex work was unique, it turns out he had similar conversations with my brothers and mom. It turns out that he really was walking his talk. It turns out he really did lead and live with a motto of “Just Love.”

In the reflection of my life, love, and loss of this amazing person I was lucky enough to call Dad, I’d like to leave each of you with a bit of love and wishes you may go forward this next while with love, laughter, and a knowledge that the best-kept secret to a life well-lived may just be the simplest message of all. Q Dr. Laurie Bennett-Cook is a clinical sexologist and divides her time between Palm Springs, Calif., and Salt Lake City. She can be reached at DrLaurieBennettCook@gmail.com

MARCH, 2022 |

Issue 333 |

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44 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | FINAL WORD

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Issue 333 |

MARCH, 2022

the perils of petunia pap smear

A tale of studs

BY PETUNIA PAP SMEAR

The road

to the hot springs is fraught with danger and excitement.

As many of you may know, I co-host an outing to Crystal Hot Springs in Honeyville, Utah, every New Year’s Day. There are only a few things in life that I enjoy more (pizza, tacos, chocolate, porn) than soaking in the warm mineral water. At least that’s my official story, and I’m sticking to it.

After the relatively short but torturously bone-chilling slog across the icy pavement to get into the hot pool, upon entering the steaming hot water, much like the Titanic being launched from dry dock but after the resulting tsunami has subsided, I experience a euphoria that has become more addictive to me than heroin is to a street junkie. But the honest to God truth is that I have three main reasons I like to go to the springs.

First: the cloud of steam rising from the hot pools envelopes me enough to help camouflage my ever-present waist stretching onboard storage of two years’ supply of tacos and pizza (I blame my Mormon food storage preparedness indoctrination) from the eyes of innocent bystanders.

Second: Unlike most people who claim the hot mineral water helps relieve the pain in their joints, I experience the greatest sense of relief as I enter the water, and my immense buttockus rotundus and bulkitudinously ponderous potbelly become somewhat buoyant. When coupled with the added effect of my special flotation breasticles, my legs are then left supporting what everyone else would consider a normal load. At this point, I can re-enact plate tectonics continental drift.

Third and perhaps most importantly: There are usually several if not many hunky university frat boys bobbing about in the water. On rare occasions, I’m lucky enough that they are slightly drunk. Tipsy enough to be frolicking, much like dolphins engaged in a frenzied game of herd the herring. With some

careful and strategic planning, I’m able to place my bulkitude in their midst requiring the bevy of hot boys to circumnavigate my hippopotamic landmass.

On one delightful outing, a group of frisky Speedo-clad frat boys decided that they would compete to see who could hold their breath long enough to swim between my legs, just like Shelly Winters in “The Poseidon Adventure.” Oh, darn! Somehow, most of the swimmers got caught while squeezing through the very narrow space between my blue whale-esque thighs. I was pleasantly surprised when the prettiest boy decided to show off after he negotiated my watery obstacle course. As he emerged from between my gigantic underwater nutcracker, he performed a handstand resulting in his ample package being very prominently displayed about six inches in front of my lips. Frat boys and spandex and bulges, OH! MY! Sometimes, in years past, New Year’s Day has been accompanied by a snowstorm, and Queertanic, my beloved 1975 Buick land yacht, has gotten stuck in the parking lot, requiring a small army of bystanders to help push it out. Not wanting to repeat this trauma, I went to the tire store to purchase some snow tires in preparation for this year. The store was quite crowded with many other customers also buying snow tires. There was one clerk, whose name tag said Dax, who stood out from the rest because of his exceptionally good looks. It was necessary for me to do some discrete yet deliberate maneuvering among the other buyers so that I would end up being served by Mr. Cutie. It took me an extra ten minutes, but I consider that time well spent.

Dax helped me choose some very nice tires. I was mesmerized watching this beautiful man tap the keyboard while arranging to “get me mounted,” Er, I mean, have the tires installed on Queertanic. I was daydreaming about Dax and I driving off together into the sunset when I was suddenly jerked back to reality when I realized that Dax had asked me

a question. “What?” I said. Dax patiently repeated, “Would you like studs?” I thought, “Well, of course I want studs.

What self-respecting drag queen would not want as many studs as she can trap?”

Then I realized he was speaking about studs in snow tires and not bodybuilders.

Sheepishly I answered, “yes please.”

After waiting one hour, Dax called my name and said, “Your car is ready.”

Rather than just tossing my keys to me like many of the other clerks were doing, Dax made it a point to hand them to me carefully. He gave me a wide smile and a slight wink of his beautiful blue eye. My heart skipped a beat as his hand brushed mine, and I could swear that he paused for just an extra millisecond before releasing my keys.

While I was driving home, I marveled at how quiet these studded snow tires were while I dreamed about Dax and I moving to California and living together in a beach house. When I arrived home and got out of the car, I bent over to examine the new treads. Low, and behold, I couldn’t see any studs. I paid $60 extra for studs. Where the hell are the studs?

So, I drove back to the tire store. Dax saw me return and gave me a quizzical smile.

I explained that even though I paid for them, I couldn’t find any studs, anywhere!

Sheepishly, he refunded my stud fee.

This story leaves us with several important questions: 1. Should the game of swimming between my legs be called Pap Smear Pool Party or The Poop-Side-Down Adventure?

2. Would the frat boys describe swimming between my legs as like being keel hauled?

3. Since he was already wet, would the frat boy have noticed if I had licked his “basket?”

4. Are studs worth all this trouble?

5. Should I embroider “Kobayashi Maru: The search for studs” on a T-shirt?”

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

Say Goodbye to

STUBBORN

FAT!

TRANSFORM YOUR BODY CoolSculpting is a non-surgical body treatment that freezes away stubborn fat, which is then naturally eliminated from your body for good. It’s FDA Cleared, effective, and does exactly what it’s supposed to do.

CALL FOR PRICING! Too low to advertise.

FREE Laser Hair Removal Membership

Utah’s MOST experienced and affordable provider!

We’ll match anyone’s price!

With purchase of CoolSculpting® package

BOTOX

K YBELL A ® NATURAL, NON-SURGICAL INJECTION TO PERMANENTLY REMOVE DOUBLE CHIN

Before

$

After

Before

$

8.50/unit

*

Reg. $12 *35 Unit Min. Expires 3/31/22

LATISSE

EYELASH SOLUTION — $160

379/Vial

*

*Minimum 2 vials/treatment

After

Reg. $595/vial. Expires 3/31/22

FACIAL OR MASSAGE

The first and only FDA-approved treatment to grow eyelashes for people with inadequate lashes.

BUY 1 FOR $59 OR 2 FOR $100

Expires 3/31/22

Expires 3/31/22. Limit one per person. New patients only.

Molly Mears, MD

801-294-9999

1560 S. Renaissance Towne Drive, Bountiful www.enlightenlaser.com

@EnlightenUtah