QSaltLake Magazine | Issue 355 | January 2024

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PERSON OF THE YEAR , aka COURTNEY MOSER

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Petunia

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from the publisher

ISSUE 355 |

January, 2024

staffbox

publisher/editor Michael Aaron

designer Christian Allred

Looking back, and forward again

BY MICHAEL AARON

On January 5, 2004,

I walked into the office of Salt Lick Publishing on ­Denver Street for the first time. I took inventory on what desks, computers, software, and printers we needed to buy, and determined what staff needed to be hired. Salespeople first and foremost, to pay for what we were about to embark upon. An editor, a few part-time writers, a designer, an office manager, and drivers to deliver across the valley.

All of this was going on my credit cards, of course.

I remember the excitement of that day. The challenges ahead of us. I drafted up a copy of what the then-biweekly newspaper would look like. I’d spent way too many hours researching the best fonts to use for readability and setting the tone of what the readers held in their hand. I’d researched what layouts were award-winning without being “too much.” We came up with an editorial calendar to sell against: a pet issue, a neighborhood issue, a wedding issue, etc. We called all kinds of places, looking for locations where we could get permission to deliver. And we started looking at plans for a launch party.

We needed to sell $4,000 in ad sales to print the first issue.

We set a target date of April 29, 2004 to deliver the first issue.

We did hit that deadline, even though my credit cards were starting to cry at that point.

I hadn’t worked at one place of business for more than five years in my entire life. And here I am, 20 years later, still moving ahead.

We’ve made it through some national economic ups and downs, a threatened lawsuit or two, and moving away from an office to work remotely.

We’ve also given away, with our partners, several wedding packages, have sponsored dozens of state and regional pride celebrations and dozens more local events targeted to the betterment of our community, hosted community forums and candidate debates, and helped spread the word about many local LGBTQ organizations.

I’m proud to say that the credit cards are all paid up and I’m able to pay myself a small but livable salary.

I don’t know that I have 20 more years in me to keep it going that long (I did, after all, turn 60 this year), but I intend to do this as long as you’ll have me. And yes, I am working on a transition plan to keep things going if I run out of steam and need someone else to take the reins. (Is that a mixed metaphor?)

I can look back and say I’d do it all over again if I could go back in time and walk into that Denver Street office again. I can say that I’m glad to be one of those people who likes their job.

So, as we turn to a new year and make plans to make it better than those before, I look forward to the changes and challenges and good times ahead for QSaltLake and our community. Q

sales Michael Aaron, 801-997-9763 x1 sales@qsaltlake.com Meda Thompson, 208-576-1444 meda@qsaltlake.com Rivendell Media, 908-232-2021 ext 200 sales@rivendellmedia.com NATIONAL NEWS editor Craig Ogan contributors Joshua Adamson Pickett, Diane Anderson-Minshall, Chris Azzopardi, Paul Berge, Jeff Berry, Paul Campbell, Laurie BennettCook, Roger Cox, Stephen Dark, Jennifer Dobner, Jack Fertig, Greg Fox, Oriol Gutierrez Jr., Tony Hobday, Blake Howell, Ashley Hoyle, Joshua Jones, Christopher Katis, Alpha Mercury, Sam Kelly-Mills, Craig Ogan, Peter Reynolds, Mikey Rox, Terri Schlichenmeyer, Gregg Shapiro, Petunia Pap Smear, Steven Petrow, Ed Sikov, JoSelle Vanderhooft, Ben ­Williams, D’Anne ­Witkowski distribution Roger Cox publisher

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news The top national and world news since last issue you should know

BY CRAIG OGAN

Light and dark in HIV stats The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1.2 million people live with HIV in the U.S. and estimated that 13 percent of people living with HIV are unaware of it. New HIV infections in the U.S. dropped from 36,500 in 2017 to 32,100 in 2021 — a drop of 12 percent. The CDC thinks it is due to PrEP use and greater HIV awareness by younger people.

The number of HIV-related deaths decreased by over 50 percent from 2010 to 2017.

Early testing and antiretroviral therapy are credited for the drop. The U. S. Federal Government spends $7.7 billion on prevention and treatment, with $20 billion spent worldwide. The dark side of HIV success is a lower condom use by youngsters, causing an explosion in gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia infections.

Nyet, from Russia The Supreme Court of Russia approved the Ministry of Justice labeling the “international LGBT social movement” as “extremist.” The policy does not say which international groups are covered. This may lead to a crackdown on Russian LGBT advocacy groups.

Critics say it could jeopardize international family planning organizations and other benign non-governmental

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groups. It could also force foreign embassies to scale back Pride celebration or advocacy for LGBT civil rights. Said the Russian MOJ, “It is not individuals of a specific orientation that are prohibited, but a specific organization that uses its agenda for engaging in destructive activities.”

Martina Navratilova back in the TERF war Martina Navratilova, retired tennis super-star and lesbian rights activist, re-entered the TERF wars in Great Britain.

Stonewall, a leading U.K. LGBTQ+ advocacy group, included a transgender woman, activist and firefighter who speaks on transgender issues, Katie Cornhill, in an encomium to LGTGQ+ people identifying as women.

On social media, Martina wrote, “A bloke cannot be a lesbian. No matter what they say, no matter how they feel, no matter how much they try to convince us otherwise.” Navratilova, despite her previous activism, was sent back into outer darkness by media and other critics of her stand on this issue.

LGBTQ+ History Month founder dismayed by exclusion The retired teacher credited with founding “LGBTQ+ History Month,” Rodney Wilson, says he is dismayed with the movement “LGB without the TQ+,” which seeks to separate transgender and other identities from the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community. His proposal for “Gay History Month” received acceptance from some school districts, higher ed, and some “big” cities, in 1997. It has since grown to be recognized in most areas as a positive event. As the celebration aged it took on the LGBTQ+

mantle and is now the object of some controversy. Wilson, now 79 years old, says, “It did not cross my mind in 1994 to call it Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender History Month. But we are supposed to learn and evolve and grow and continue to open ourselves up to new individuals, new understanding, new information, new identities.”

Nada to NDAA antitransgender provisions The National Defense Authorization Act, authorizing the U. S. Department of Defense funds, left the House of Representatives bristling with agenda-driven policy. It contained provisions prohibiting federal funds from being used for hormone therapy, pharmaceuticals, and surgery for transgender service members and family; prohibition of teaching Critical Race Theory-based management, and restrictions on abortion activity. The U.S. Senate took up the NDAA and passed it without the agenda-driven provisions. The two houses must confer on the new bill. The Senate version is forecast to become law.

Disney won’t even sing Gay in Florida Correlation may not be causation, but the producers of Walt Disney World Resort’s Holiday-themed “Jollywood Nights” after-hours event changed the lyrics of some favorite Christmas Carols. The show producers looked at the troubles brought on by the Florida state government and decided to omit any lyrics containing the words “gay” and “queer.”

So, in the show, Mickey sings the traditional version of “O Christmas Tree.” However, Minnie’s lyrics in “Deck the Halls” changed from, “Don

January, 2024

we now our gay apparel… Toll the ancient Yule-tide carol,” to, “Don we now our cozy sweaters… I can think of nothing better.” If Disney can “think of nothing better,” the show’s producers need to think again.

Culture war has real casualties The culture wars have had a casualty. Support for LGBTQ issues has declined a bit.

While America’s support for marriage equality and anti-discrimination policies has marginally gone down, support for the notion of “LGBTQ+ rights” has gone down “across the board.” This is according to the Public Religion Research Institute, a non-partisan, non-denominational research group. The main driver of the decline is partisanship over transgender women using “women’s restrooms,” and early childhood “gender” education and library books, and resultant legislative restrictions introduced or passed in many states.

Approval of “restroom restrictions” has gone from 44 to 80 perrcent among Republican voters. Democrats’ support for restrictions has remained at 31 percent in the last few surveys. Younger people — Republicans, Democrats, and independents — are more tolerant of restroom use.

Poland pulled to progress Ten Polish gay and lesbian couples sued the Polish national government in the European Court of Human Rights over refusing to offer legal recognition of same-sex relationships. The Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, telling the Polish government to extend “couples’ benefits” to people in same sex relationships. Marriage equality is still not recognized in Poland. The government that got sued is PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH

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no longer in the hands of the party refusing to offer the rights, the “Law and Justice Party” (the Polish acronym for the party’s name is PiS).

In a recent election Polish voters said, “PiS off,” and returned the less conservative Civic Coalition party to power. It is anticipated that there will be no appeal of the ruling and S/S couples will get government recognition.

Miami street art celebrates drag Public art in Miami Beach is now as exuberant and

flamboyant as the life on the street, with the installation of an an ode to drag, “Adora Vanessa Athena Fantasia,” The art is a colorful series of aluminum panels suspended over the bustling Española Way shopping district. The panels feature portraits inspired by 11 local drag queens. There is also a 30-foot-tall mural of “dramatic manicures, doll-like eyelashes and full, pouty lips.”

The work is by Brazilian artist Eli Sudbrack, sponsored by the Assume Vivid Astro Focus artist cooperative headquartered in New York City. The

work was motivated by implementation of the “Protection of Children Act” banning drag performances which can be viewed by minors. The law has been suspended by court (Not Imperial Court, but Federal Court) action. The suspension is under appeal by the state.

Wisconsin pols: Get marriage ‘unequality’ out of constitution The 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling made bans on samesex marriage unenforceable, but the bans remain on the books in several states, Utah for one. Wisconsin legislators have introduced legislation to take the reference to “one man and one woman” out the State Constitution. Like Utah, that language was added to the constitution in the run up

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to Obergefell. The legislators have also introduced non-discrimination and parental rights for same-sex couples’ legislation. “It is long past time for our state constitution and statute to reflect that marriage equality is the law of the land and has been for nearly a decade,” said sponsor, Democratic Sen. Mark Spreitzer. The non-discrimination legislation would increase legal protections for LGBTQ+ couples surrounding adoption, pregnancy, parental rights, insurance, and other benefits. It also calls for change of “outdated” references to “husbands and wives,” to “spouses,” in state family and tax law. Former Utah State Senator Derek Kitchen proposed such removal in Utah’s constitution and code, but the effort was ignored

by Republican leaders. Q

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January, 2024

Salt Lake County Council tables controversial locker room policy affecting transgender patrons The Salt Lake County Council, amidst heated debate, has deferred a proposed policy that would have mandated transgender patrons at county pools and recreation centers to use private family changing rooms or locker rooms corresponding to their gender assigned at birth.

Republican council member Dea Theodore spearheaded the proposal following a complaint by Candace Duncan, a GOP activist and member of the Utah Gay-Straight Coalition, formally known as the Utah Log Cabin Republicans. Duncan alleged encountering “biological males” twice in the women’s locker room at the Northwest Recreation Center in Salt Lake City.

While County Parks and Recreation Director Martin Jensen confirmed this as the sole complaint in a decade, Theodore posited that other incidents might have gone unreported.

Theodore emphasized the policy’s intent to safeguard safety and privacy, pointing out alternative options for transgender patrons, like using private unisex family changing rooms available in all county facilities except one.

However, council member Laurie Stringham, also a Republican, cautioned against immediate adoption, highlighting ongoing lawsuits related to transgender locker room and restroom policies.

Stringham, who has two transgender children, expressed receiving hate messages but affirmed her commitment to her family’s welfare and the community’s safety.

In a 7-1 vote, the council opted to table the proposal. Theodore, agreeing with the decision, aims to rework the policy before reintroducing it later.

Council member Dave Alvord, the sole dissenter, endorsed the policy and raised concerns about potential misconduct if such measures weren’t in place, advocating for signs warning about undressed individuals of the opposite sex.

In a statement, Goud Maragani, president of the UGSC, asked, “What will it take for the Salt Lake County Council to take action? Are they going to wait until after a girl is raped in the girl’s locker room?”

The proposal’s impact resonated beyond Salt Lake County, gaining national

attention among the transgender community, said attendee Jeri Brummett. The ordinance stirred opposing viewpoints, with some parents like Murray ultra-conservative April Despain, who calls herself on social media as “Not a member of or believer in the LGBTQ religion,” expressing worries about their children’s safety and rights in locker rooms.

Dissenters like Annabelle Weissinger highlighted the risk such a policy posed to transgender individuals, citing alarming statistics from a KFF and Washington Post survey indicating high rates of physical and verbal attacks against transgender adults. Q

Salt Lake County Council Person Dea Theodore

Salt Lake still has three cold cases of murders of two gay men and a lesbian after 45 years

It has been 45 years, and no arrests have been made on the murders of three gay and lesbian Utahns. The unresolved murders of Anthony Adams, Douglas Coleman, and Mona Heather Ulibarri continue to cast a shadow over Salt Lake City as these cases remain hauntingly unsolved.

Anthony Adams, a 25-year-old gay rights activist and prominent member of the Socialist Workers Party, went missing on November 30, 1978, sparking widespread concern among his peers. Three days later, Adams was discovered brutally murdered in his Salt Lake City apartment.

Stabbed repeatedly in the chest, throat, and neck, the circumstances of his killing hinted at a vicious attack that began in the bathroom before he struggled into the bedroom, where he met his tragic end.

Douglas Coleman, another gay man, was also found murdered on the same day.

Like Adams, Coleman’s death sent shockwaves through the LGBTQ+ community.

The circumstances surrounding his killing remain shrouded in mystery, adding to the unresolved grief of his loved ones.

Less than a year later, the murder of Mona Heather Ulibarri further intensified the anguish gripping the city’s gay and lesbian community. Ulibarri’s case, like Adams’ and Coleman’s, left investigators grappling with scant leads and unanswered questions.

Despite extensive investigations and

Anthony Adams

periodic breakthroughs, including a 2020 fingerprint match to a deceased homeless girl named Mickey Henson in Adams’ case, these cases have resisted resolution. Crucial evidence, including potential murder weapons like knives, went missing over time, leaving investigations at a standstill. The absence of advanced forensic DNA analysis during that period compounded the challenges faced by law enforcement in piecing together the puzzle of these tragic deaths.

The LGBTQ+ community in Salt Lake City has raised concerns about the investigations’ handling, citing fears that insufficient attention might have been paid due to the victims’ sexual orientations. Q PHOTO COURTESY OF ANTHONY ADAMS’ FAMILY

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So. Utah Drag Stars wins nat’l award

The tireless efforts of Southern Utah Drag Stars in fostering safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community have earned them national recognition and financial support through the Queer to Stay: An LGBTQ+ Business Preservation Initiative, sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign and Showtime.

This accolade marks the fourth year of the initiative, focusing on uplifting and preserving small businesses catering to the LGBTQ+ community, particularly serving multiply-marginalized queer individuals.

Mitski Avalōx, the founder of Southern Utah Drag Stars, expressed surprise and gratitude for the prestigious acknowledgment. Avalōx highlighted the challenges faced by small businesses, especially those owned by queer individuals, in navigating a landscape often politicized, a sentiment magnified by their recent legal tussle with St. George city authorities.

Addressing the critical need for preserving businesses within the LGBTQ+ spectrum, Avalōx underscored the significance of maintaining a safety net, ensuring these establishments continue their invaluable contributions.

The Southern Utah Drag Stars made headlines when they, alongside the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah, filed a federal lawsuit against St. George City. The legal action accused the city of discrimination for rejecting their permit application to host an all-ages drag show at a local park, asserting violations of constitutional rights under the First and 14th Amendments.

Avalōx stressed the importance of creating secure environments for the queer com-

munity, emphasizing that their drag shows aimed to foster unity and understanding amid widespread misinformation.

“Doing these drag shows and these events really helps bring the community together and create a space of understanding because I know there’s plenty of misinformation out there,” Avalōx said. “I have done a lot of work with people who, at the very beginning, when I first started doing this, were very against what I did.

But after getting to meet with people who are traditionally conservative, they’re like, OK, maybe you’re not what I see on the news. You’re not the lives that they depict you to be when you watch Fox News and all these other outlets.”

Acknowledging the

challenges faced by LGBTQ+ people in accessing resources, Avalōx expressed gratitude for the financial support, which she highlighted as instrumental in creating safe spaces and furthering community outreach. Plans are underway to expand services, including STI and HIV testing at events, aiming to address prevalent health concerns within the community.

Looking ahead, Avalōx outlined broader aspirations beyond events, focusing on initiatives like advocating for secure housing, recognizing housing as a common issue affecting individuals from various backgrounds.

“It’s very difficult with our market right now to be housed.

And so I want to take South-

ern Utah Drag Stars in a different direction, not just doing events, but creating awareness,” Avalōx said. “It’s the idea that even though we feel powerless, our presence and existence alone is an act of rebellion and, therefore a source of power.

And rebelling by existing is such a powerful force that drives activism and serves the community locally.” Q

Where the suit against Utah’s transgender girl sports ban stands Utah remains embroiled in a legal battle over its controversial 2022 law prohibiting transgender girls from participating in public school girls’ sports.

A lawsuit, brought forth by two transgender minors and their parents against the Utah High School Activities Association, Granite School District, and Jordan School District, challenges the ban.

Presently, the ban is on hold pending resolution in court.

District court Judge Keith Kelly recently granted access to the girls’ medical records, marking a crucial turn in the case. However, during a virtual hearing on December 7, Kelly ruled to redact certain segments of the girls’ mental health records following a plea from the plaintiffs’ attorneys.

The attorneys sought to withhold irrelevant personal details and third-party information, such as “dead names” and extraneous medical history unrelated to

gender transition. Judge Kelly confirmed the appropriateness of these redactions, citing confidentiality and irrelevance to the lawsuit’s core claims.

The hearing, an administrative session lasting under 20 minutes, mainly addressed procedural matters without delving into substantive arguments from either side.

Moving forward, Amy Whelan, a senior staff attorney at the National Center for Lesbian Rights, confirmed that both parties are in the process of fact discovery, unraveling further details, and responding to inquiries.

The next phase involves depositions, where involved parties and witnesses provide sworn testimony outside the courtroom. Disagreement persists regarding the duration of deposition hours, with the defense advocating for 40 hours, a figure contested by the plaintiffs as excessive for this case.

Judge Kelly deferred to both

parties to resolve the impasse rather than intervening directly, highlighting an impending need for mutual consensus.

Given the plaintiffs’ ages, negotiations are underway to establish interview parameters that minimize stress or harm during the process.

Post-depositions, discussions with subject matter experts await. While a trial date is yet to be scheduled, court documents require confirmation by April 19, 2024, from both sides regarding their readiness for trial.

The legal battle in Utah mirrors similar clashes in other states concerning transgender athletes in girls’ sports. The defense has sought dismissal repeatedly, citing precedents like Florida’s upheld ban on transgender athletes. However, the ACLU of Utah clarified the claims, signaling a continued legal challenge on grounds with a perceived likelihood of success. Q

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Rainbow flag thefts have escalated to vandalism in Draper couple’s home A year and a half ago, Jeffrey Wright and Bryce Abplanalp bought the largest rainbow flag and the largest pole they could find and planted them in their Draper yard.

“We … decided to buy the biggest Pride flag we could find & fly it in our yard — in a location where it could be seen by thousands of passing cars a day & hundreds of kids as they used a nearby park,” they shared on their Instagram page labeled @growingupwithdads. “Our hope was that people, kids specifically, would see it & feel loved. That they’d feel seen.

That they’d feel a sense that their life was worth living, and that we’re all greater when we celebrate the things that make us different. That some day, maybe not today, they’d feel proud of who they are.”

They placed the flag at the very back of their yard, near a fence that borders a neighborhood park with a baseball field and tennis courts. It was also visible from a well-traveled street.

A year ago, they posted that someone entered their yard and stole the flag.

“While we were out of town, celebrating our kids’ birthdays and vacationing with family, someone broke into our yard, lowered our flag pole, and stole our Pride flag,” they wrote. “Now, we don’t feel safe in our own home. Yes, it’s just a flag and it doesn’t equate to the other recent attacks on the LGBT community, too many to go into detail here. It’s easy to see the news reports and think how those kind of things don’t happen in our community, but just recently, an LGBT youth was

attacked and assaulted in the community where we live. And now someone saw our flag, which was supposed to be a symbol of hope and love, and found it so offensive they thought it ok to violate us and our family in order to remove it — all because they’re so outraged that we love and have created a family with someone of the same sex.”

This scenario has happened a total of five times since then.

In November, things escalated.

One Saturday night, intruders jumped over the fence and took the flag as they have usually done. This time, they destroyed the pole, shattered the motion lights, and stole a recording security camera hidden in a bush.

“I sit here tonight sad, worried, and confused about the future of our lives and, more importantly, our children’s lives,” the couple recently posted on their Instagram page. “Last night, as some of you saw, our home was vandalized. Our Pride flag, which is seen by hundreds of people every day, was shredded, and our pole was bent and broken. This is the fifth time. Our cameras were stolen and our motion lights were shattered.”

It was the reaction of their four-yearold son that brought the gravity of the attack on their personal lives to heart.

“As I packed our son up to bed tonight and locked the front door, he said, ‘Dad, please make sure to lock the back gate so no one steals our rainbow flag again or does anything to us.’ My heart broke. To think that my son, at the age of four, has to have these thoughts going through his head traumatized me. Tears ran down my face as I packed him up,” they wrote. “Even growing up gay, I knew my house and my family was a safe sanctuary. Yet, here we are.

Oh, how the world has changed.”

“Our house backs a local park that children see every day; whether they’re playing sports or going to school or simply heading to the nearest grocery store, our flag is seen,” they continued.

“We do it and fly it because we, as LGBTQ youth, didn’t have that growing up. We grew up Mormon and Christian, believing and being told people like us go to hell. That’s why we fly [the flag]. To show those kids, those who are scared to be who they are meant to be, that there is hope and they will be happy one day. We don’t fly our flag to make anyone gay.

We aren’t grooming anyone. Our goal is hope and survival for LGBT youth.”

The couple hopes that others can learn from their experience and make a change in their lives and the lives of those around them.

“I write this so that you, you as parents, friends, and allies, will continue to educate those around you and in your circles that as different as we may be, love will always be the answer. Our world is so full of hate and negativity. There is no need to add more. Be the light in someone’s life tomorrow. Be the reason they wake up.

Don’t be the reason someone fears what their next day brings,” they concluded.

A police report has been filed with Draper Police, whose only response was that hate crimes in Draper are “very not common.” Q PHOTOS VIA INSTAGRAM

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One in five LDS students say they are LGBQ+ A recent survey conducted by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has shed light on the spectrum of sexual orientations among students who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Among the 39,000 college-aged respondents surveyed, 709 identified themselves as LDS students aged 18 to 25. The research delved into sexual orientations across various religious groups, positioning Mormons between other religious identities in terms of heterosexual orientation. While 78 percent of Mormon respondents identified as heterosexual, 6 percent identified as bisexual, 3 percent as gay or lesbian, and 13 percent categorized themselves as something else, encompassing identities like asexual, pansexual, queer, or questioning.

Political scientist Ryan Burge discussed the findings in his twice-weekly Graphs About Religion substack at graphsaboutreligion.com.

Contrary to expectations, LDS students’ self-reported heterosexual orientation was only slightly higher than the overall sample average of college students surveyed. This revelation surprised Burge, especially considering that the rates among Protestants and

even Catholics were marginally higher, despite Catholicism often being perceived as more liberal than Mormonism.

The LDS Church is recognized for its conservative stance on sexual matters, specifically disallowing same-sex marriage for its members. Despite this doctrinal position, the survey results suggested a considerable variance in sexual orientations among LDS college students, potentially reflecting a shift in generational attitudes within the community.

While the study did not delve into religious practices or beliefs, Burge highlighted the possibility that some respondents might identify as LDS due to familial or cultural ties rather than active religious involvement. This observation raises questions about the complexity of religious identity among young Mormons, wherein cultural connections might persist even if religious beliefs have shifted.

Apart from exploring sexual orientations, the survey provided insights into the political leanings of LDS college students.

Surprisingly, these students were more evenly divided between the Democratic and Republican parties compared to the general LDS population. Approximately 39 percent identified as Democrats or leaned towards the Democratic Party, while 45 percent aligned themselves with the Republican Party, with an additional 16 percent identifying as Independents. Q

Oregon man sentenced for terrorizing Boise Idaho’s LGBTQ community A federal judge sentenced Matthew Alan Lehigh, a 31-year-old Oregon resident, to 37 to 45 months in prison for a string of hate-motivated attacks targeting the LGBTQ+ community in Boise, Idaho. Lehigh’s week-long crime spree involved assaults and acts of intimidation against individuals perceived to be part of the Matthew Alan Lehigh LGBTQ+ community.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced Lehigh’s sentencing, revealing he received 37 to 45 months in jail followed by three years of supervised release after admitting guilt to violating the Hate Crimes Prevention Act and committing vehicular assault in 2022.

His assaults involved using his vehicle as a weapon and destroying a Pride flag.

Lehigh acknowledged acute mental health issues at the time of the attacks and expressed remorse in court, stating, “I don’t have too much to say other than just my regret and my great gratitude that things didn’t end up worse than they did.”

Court records detailed the harrowing incidents. Lehigh verbally attacked a transgender library employee at the Boise Public Library Main Branch, uttering anti-LGBTQ+ slurs and physically threatening to stab the individual. When confronted by a security guard, he attempted to ram the guard with his car but narrowly missed as the guard jumped behind a barricade.

Four days later, Lehigh targeted two women he perceived as lesbians in a Boise parking lot, verbally assaulting

Utah Film Ctr to celebrate 10th anniv. of Utah marriage decision

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the ruling by Third District Judge Robert Shelby declaring Utah’s laws against same-sex marriage as unconstitutional, the Utah Film Center is showing “Church & State” at The Rose on December 20. As part of the free event, a post-film discussion with director Holly Tuckett, hosted

by Doug Fabrizio will be presented.

“Church & State” is the improbable story of a brash, inexperienced gay activist and a tiny Salt Lake City law firm that joined forces to topple Utah’s gay marriage ban. The film’s ride on the bumpy road to equality in Utah offers a glimpse at the Mormon church’s influence in state politics and the squabbles inside the gay community that nearly derailed a chance to make history.

Church & State is a story of triumph, setback, and a little-known lawsuit that should have failed but instead paved the way for a U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized gay unions nationwide.

December 20, 2023 at 7:00 pm Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W Broadway Tickets and more information at utahfilmcenter.org/film/church-state/ Q them before accelerating his car toward them. Fortunately, the women avoided injury by evading his vehicle, which crashed into another car.

Vegas Shegrud, one of the women involved, recounted the trauma from the assault, telling the Associated Press, “The fear I felt that day is unparalleled by any other event in my life.”

In addition to these incidents, Lehigh confessed to burning a rainbow-striped Pride flag, damaging property shared

by LGBTQI+ and religious organizations, and physically assaulting a grocery store customer while using derogatory anti-LGBTQ+ language.

Notably, despite facing state charges for the attacks, Lehigh wasn’t charged with a hate crime under Idaho state law due to its omission of sexual orientation as a determining factor. A federal jury indicted him on two hate crime charges, elevating the case to federal courts. Q

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January, 2024

quotes Social media storm after anti-LGBTQ “Moms For Liberty” founder Bridget Ziegler was found to be in a three-way relationship with her husband and another woman:

“Lauren Boebert is giving out hand jobs in movie theaters. Donald Trump is paying hush money to porn stars and soon to pay more for sexual assault. Moms for Liberty’s Bridget Ziegler is hosting sex triangles. Speaker Dennis Hastert is a convicted pedophile. But Sodom and Gomorrah.”

—@keithboykin

“Bridget Ziegler wants books removed from schools if they mention same-sex relationships, but she won’t remove herself from the school board after it was revealed that she was in a same-sex relationship. The hypocrisy is stunning.”

—@kdnerak33

“Lucky for GOP power couple Christian & Bridget Ziegler that lesbian relations are not yet a crime in Florida.”

—@Joanhussey1

“Congratulations to Bridget Ziegler for launching the Me Three movement.”

—@hilaryluros

January, 2024 | ISSUE 355 |

‘Gatekeepers’ are essential for advertisers in the LGBTQ+ marketplace

BY TODD EVANS, RIVENDELL MEDIA

Recently,

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Qsaltlake.com

I saw a post about brands marketing to the LGBTQ Community and how they were able to bypass the so called “gatekeepers” of the market in our digital age.

I don’t really care for the term “gatekeepers” as it has gained a negative connotation over the years. I prefer “super influencers” because that is who they really are. They are the publishers of LGBTQ media, whether print or digital.

They are the “super influencers” because they decide what will be printed on their pages, websites, eblasts, and social media. Who is right

behind these “super influencers”— the consumers of LGBTQ media. These readers and consumers of LGBTQ media are the most informed and what I would call the “tipping point” consumers who digest and pass on their knowledge to the LGBTQ community at large and our allies. They are people like me who tell their friends, family and followers not to buy that product or go to that fast food chain because they are supporting anti-LGBTQ policies. These people are the most valuable to reach, because if you do so correctly they will not only support

your product or service but in the best-case scenario they will become your product or service’s best advocates.

Tastemakers, super Influencers, activists, and all those most concerned about LGBTQ issues are ever so important to help “our” community at large because they decide what issues are most important. For instance, what companies we should be supporting, and which ones we should avoid.

Hopefully over time this translates into a friendlier and better environment either politically or economically not just for our community but society at large.

Additionally, I want to point out that no company must be perfect in their LGBTQ business practices to pursue these super influencers and this consumer base.

The only thing a company needs to do is be authentic in their advertising or pursuit of the market.

My advice is to keep it simple, keep it authentic, advertise in LGBTQ owned and operated media properties and you should be just fine. If an issue ever comes up, address it directly.

The idea of bypassing a market’s “Super Influencers” or “Gatekeepers” is very shortsighted because these are the very same people that want you to have a successful experience and would be the first to ensure you don’t trip up. They are key to the success of your brand and campaign in any niche market you might want to pursue. Q Todd Evans is President and CEO of Rivendell Media-America’s leading LGBTQ media placement firm, which is this magazine’s national representative.

THANK YOU, QSALTLAKE READERS FOR THE FABBY! We are queer-owned, and proud to be your Ogden favorite Southern Inspired. Brunch Driven.

From Scratch. Every Day. Serving Beer, Wine & Non-Alcoholic Cocktails in Salt Lake City and Ogden.

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455 25th Street, Ogden, UT 84401 A Place where You can Just Be You! Follow us on IG @wbseatery

Follow us on IG @PigandaJellyJar

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January, 2024

who’s your daddy

HELPFUL SIDE-BAR FOR STORIES

WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDE • Talking about wanting to die

Come on, Dad, it’s 2023

• Looking for a way to kill oneself • Talking about feeling hopeless or

Everything frompurpose having no Angels to Zen • Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain • Talking about being a burden to others

• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs • Acting anxious, agitated or recklessly • Sleeping too little or too much • Withdrawing or feeling isolated • Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge • Displaying extremeRd mood swings 12896 S Pony Express LotusStore Suite 200 in Draper The more of these signs a person shows, (just north of IKEA) the greater the risk. Warning signs are 801.333.3777 associated with suicide but may not www.ilovelotus.com be what causes a suicide.

WHAT TO DO If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide: • Do not leave the person alone • Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt • Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 9-8-8 or 800-273-8255 • Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional

THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE

9-8-8

A free, 24/7 service that can provide suicidal persons or those around them with support, information and local resources.

BY CHRISTOPHER KATIS

My son

Niko has a new girlfriend. Before we had met her, I asked him if he had mentioned there was something a little different about his parents. “Yeah. She knows I have two dads.” Apparently, it was a non-event. Just as it had been with Gus’s now long-term girlfriend, I was told. It would appear that no one seemed to care.

As a matter of fact, several months earlier, Niko’s best buddy came by the house with his own girlfriend. First, he introduced Kelly as “Niko’s dad.” Then he introduced me as “Niko’s other dad.”

Maybe I read too much into it, but from his tone, it sure seemed like he was trying to score some cool cred as the guy whose best friend has gay dads.

All this nonchalance made me wonder if the younger generations just find the whole “non-traditional” parent trope as blasé. I mean they are being raised in a very different time than their parents.

“We’ve seen an increased acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community thanks to increased visibility, representation in the media, and education,” Tonya Agnew, vice president of communications and marketing at Family Equality, an LGBTQ families’ advocacy group, told me. “While we still have a lot of work to do for full equality, legal advancements, including marriage equality, have also contributed to broader acceptance.”

And representation matters. Jen O’Ryan, Ph.D., an Inclusion, Diversity, and Representation strategist says, “It goes back to who is being represented and how. Millennials, Gen Z, and soon-to-be Gen A encountered very different representations of what it meant (or looked like) to be LGBTQ+.”

That’s very true. I mean, when I was a kid growing up, the only gay men we saw on television were Paul Lynde on Bewitched and Hollywood Squares and Charles Nelson Reilly from Match Game. And in both their cases, their

sexuality was only implied, at best hinted at, with a knowing smirk. They were asexual, harmless clowns.

But that’s not true for the generations that have followed. Dr. O’Ryan added, “These younger Millennials and Gen Zers came up in a world with shows like Modern Family and Will and Grace, where the LGBTQ+ characters were shown as humans living their lives. Were these characters perfect depictions? No. But they introduced audiences to identities that weren’t limited to straight and cisgender.”

And they may be encouraging people to come out younger than ever before. According to a survey conducted last year by The Trevor Project, almost 35 percent of queer kids between the ages of 13 and 17 said they had come out before their 13th birthday. Maybe that’s because the world seems more accepting and open. The 2023 GLAAD Accelerating Acceptance report showed all-time support for gay rights.

A whopping 84 percent of “non-LGBT Americans” now say they support equality – up 5 percent from just two years ago.

Policy advances have also helped.

Younger generations saw major policy shifts from the dismantling of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and the legalization of national marriage equality. But they’ve also seen “Don’t Say Gay” and anti-trans legislation pass.

Are generations who have seen only progress and lived during times of equality going to be complacent in the face of a potential backsliding in rights? We can only hope not.

I think Gus summed up the blasé reaction to my question about their girlfriends’ reaction to the boys having two dads. “Come on, Dad, it’s 2023.”

Let’s hope that spirit of acceptance continues into 2024 and beyond.

Have a great New Year, everyone.

You can learn more about Family Equality at their website familyequality.org and you can contact Dr. Jen O’Ryan at pagingdrjen.com.

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creep of the month

The Russian Supreme Court

BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI

Well, they

did it. They expelled George Santos from Congress. I honestly didn’t think it would happen. Let’s pour one out for George “Proud Gay Thief” Santos, as “Saturday Night Live” called him.

I have to admit, I did not follow the Santos saga very closely. There’s just a lot going on in the world, and I only have so much time for Congressional nonsense (and let’s face it, a whole lot of nonsense happens in Congress).

Pretty wild that most of the Republicans who decided that enough was enough with Santos and his felony counts still back disgraced former President Donald Trump. I guess they figure that while they do need Trump to make their fascist dreams come true, they don’t need Santos. So boy, bye.

Speaking of Trump, Russian President and Trump friend Vladimir Putin is in the news for something other than his disgusting war against Ukraine. Last year, you may remember, Putin “described the West and an alleged global LGBTQ+ movement as existential threats to Russian cultural values and traditions,” according to The Advocate.

Well, Russia’s Supreme Court “has declared what it calls ‘the international LGBT public movement’ an extremist organization and banned its activities across the country,” according to the BBC. Less than 48 hours later, according to The Advocate, police “raided at least four LGBTQ+ establishments in Moscow.”

On Bluesky (which I have switched to after dumping Twitter/X) someone posted about the Russian Supreme Court ruling and the raids declaring, “It’s a shame to see Russia turning into Florida.” This made me laugh, but in a very much “if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry” kind of way, because wow things are messed up worldwide.

The ruling is expected to have dire consequences for LGBTQ+ people in Russia.

“I think this will mean that anyone

whom the state considers an LGBT activist could receive a long prison sentence for ‘participating in an extremist organization.’

For the organizer of such a group, the prison term will be even longer,” Sergei Troshin, a gay municipal deputy in St. Petersburg told the BBC. “This is real repression.

There is panic in Russia’s LGBT community. People are emigrating urgently. The actual word we’re using is evacuation. We’re having to evacuate from our own country. It’s terrible.”

Others concur.

“There is little if any doubt that [this decision] will lead to the persecution of LGBTI activists, undoing decades of their brave and dedicated work, while threatening to inspire and legitimize whole new levels of violence against LGBTI persons across Russia,” Marie Struthers, director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at Amnesty International, said in a statement. “We call on the Russian authorities to immediately review this ruling. The international community must stand in solidarity with the Russian LGBTI community, demanding an end to these oppressive actions and safeguarding the principles of equality, freedom and justice for all.”

U.S. LGBTQ+ activists have long been fighting for “equality, freedom and justice for all,” but we are also having our setbacks. And what’s happening in

Russia is no doubt inspiration for those who want to see us disappear here.

Make no mistake, what’s happening in Russia is exactly what extremists want to have happen in the United States.

Florida is a good example of a state that is really going hard to make life as miserable as possible for LGBTQ+ people there and back allies into a corner so that they’re too afraid to do things like challenge book bans or let trans kids play sports, lest they lose their jobs.

Is Trump or Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as smart and cunning as Putin? No, no they are not. But the infrastructure has already been put in place for a fascist takeover of the U.S. government. As you have doubtless heard before, Jan. 6, 2021 was a dress rehearsal. Since then, support for Trump has hardly wavered. And should he become the president again, you can bet that it’ll make his first term look totally chill in comparison to what he will do next. Q D’Anne Witkowski is a writer living 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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to open a Red Iguana 2 just two blocks away to keep the lines from reaching the airport. In fact, a favorite review says “Drag your luggage directly from the airport to Red Iguana” Owners Bill and Lucy are some of the nicest people you will ever meet.

Holy mole!

RUNNERS UP: CHILI TEPIN, EL CHIHUAHUA

MOST FABULOUS AfterHours Restaurant

PIE HOLE

For the 20th year, you, our readers, have spoken. We received over 3,500 votes in our annual readers’ choice poll, and we are naming 125 FABBY Award winners in this issue. Some are many-time winners, and some many-time winners were out-voted this year. A rainbow wave, if you will.

MOST FABULOUS

Throwin’ dough every day until 3 a.m., you know you’ll have a tasty pizza slice waiting for you after leaving the bars with a craving at 344 S. State Street.

RESTAURANTS MOST FABULOUS Inexpensive Restaurant

MOST FABULOUS Mexican Restaurant

RED IGUANA

You can’t leave Salt Lake without eating at Red Iguana, or you haven’t experienced Salt Lake. Red Iguana is so popular, they had

RUNNERS UP: ALBERTO’S, DEE’S

MOST FABULOUS Greek/Mediterranean

THE OTHER PLACE

A unique comfort-food restaurant that is family-oriented from bone-to-bone. Greek and American favorites in a warm, friendly space. See the Salt Lake Men’s

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Choir noshing Thursday nights after rehearsal, and don’t forget to grab your QSaltLake Magazine on the way out the door!

RUNNERS UP: CHILI TEPIN, CHUNGA’S

MOST FABULOUS Local Coffeehouse

SUGAR HOUSE COFFEE

Never afraid to fly the rainbow colors, Sugar House Coffee is committed to providing an all-inclusive space where everyone is welcome and all are seen. Great coffee, and house-made aioli Panini sandwiches, salads, fresh baked porridge, pastries, and espresso brownies. Pick up a Q! RUNNERS UP: COFFEE GARDEN, BEANS & BREWS

MOST FABULOUS Restaurant for Breakfast / Brunch

RUTH’S DINER

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We are combining two FABBY awards into one, since Ruth’s dominated both. Ruth’s is the oldest restaurant still serving in the valley. Breakfast ’til 4 p.m.

Our friend and restaurant critic Ted Scheffler said, “In A Perfect

World, Every Town Would Have A Diner Just Like Ruth’s.”

RUNNERS UP: THE OTHER PLACE, LEFT FORK, PIG AND A JELLY JAR

MOST FABULOUS Contemporary Restaurant

THE DODO

The Dodo was the largest, strangest dove ever to have lived.

Dodo Restaurant overlooks the tall pines and cottonwood trees, flower gardens, and wide green lawns of Sugar House Park and a stunning sunset view of Mount Olympus. Oh! And the food, especially the desserts, are good too!

RUNNERS UP: STANZA, CURRENT

MOST FABULOUS Asian Restaurant

SAWADEE

When you crave Thai cuisine, Sawadee is your go-to. A downtown staple for years, renowned for its genuine Thai flavors such as pad thai, pad kee mao, curry puffs, and pineapple curry. Fantastic weekday lunch specials.

RUNNERS UP: TAKASHI, KYOTO

MOST FABULOUS Sandwiches

MOST FABULOUS Seafood

From the back of a pottery studio to four locations from downtown to Lehi, Moochies is about meatballs and a damned fine Philly Cheesesteak. Oh, and the gourmet grilled cheese sandwich with a side of mac and cheese. Holy hell. Don’t bypass the international salads.

Guy Fieri says the meatball sub will ‘’knock your head off.’’ But don’t worry. No heads are truly harmed at Moochies.

When the salmon are running, run to Market Street. I once had a client come in from New York City who was skeptical when I said he should try the clam chowder. I was nervous when he took the first bite and sat there, deadpan. He looked up and said, “I had to fly across the fucking country to the middle of the desert to have the best clam chowder in my life.” Yup.

MOOCHIES MEATBALLS

RUNNERS UP: GROVE MARKET, TOASTERS

MARKET STREET GRILL

RUNNER UP: TAKASHI, CURRENT FISH AND OYSTER

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MOST FABULOUS Steakhouse

TEXAS ROADHOUSE

The Utah-based chain that makes everything from scratch with the motto “Legendary Food, Legendary Service.” That’s a lot to live up to, but Q readers say they live up to it.

RUNNERS UP: CHRISTOPHER’S, RUBY RIVER

MOST FABULOUS Beer Selection

THE BAYOU

Buzzy eatery and bar offering Cajun-inspired fare and pub grub plus over 7 million beers you could spend a week deciding among. Seriously, we counted them. Just pick one and get out of our way.

RUNNERS UP: SQUATTER’S, RED ROCK

MOST FABULOUS Vegetarian/ Vegan Restaurant

VERTICAL DINER

The home of fine vegan dining is Vertical Diner on Harvey Milk Blvd. They believe that eating a plant-based diet will positively

change the world environmentally, socially, emotionally, physically and creatively. “Great Food! Great People!”

RUNNERS UP: ZEST, SWEET HAZEL & CO

MOST FABULOUS Barbecue

PAT’S BARBECUE

A Guy Fieri favorite. Who says great barbecue is reserved for the South? In Salt Lake City, Pitmaster Pat Barber is what Guy calls a “culinary gangster” because of his unbeatable briskets, chickens and sausages that he smokes for 10 hours at a time.

RUNNERS UP: R&R BBQ, SUGAR HOUSE BBQ

MOST FABULOUS Soups

SOUP KITCHEN

So, another category which we need to just go ahead and name for the winner. Most locations are in the worst places anyone would put a restaurant, but they still have a line out the door. Over 30 years of serving breadsticks. Oh, and soup and sandwiches.

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MOST FABULOUS Burger Joint

MOST FABULOUS Bakery/Pastries

If there is an award out there for best burger in Utah, Lucky 13 has won it multiple times. This is their 11th Fabby. Of course our favorite is the nut butter burger.

Although one day we hope to wrap our lips around the Big Benny. If you can finish him off in an hour, they’ll give you $200.

Is that prostitution?

It all started in downtown Salt Lake over 30 years ago on Third East. A bakery with a new name we couldn’t pronounce, but pastries and cakes we couldn’t resist.

Now also in Draper, American Fork and the SLC Airport.

LUCKY 13

RUNNERS UP: PROPER BURGER, CROWN BURGER

MOST FABULOUS Pizza

PIE PIZZERIA

From a graffiti-strewn dungeon a stone’s throw from the UofU to six locations from Ogden to South Jordan, the home of the Zappi is just pure, gooey yum.

Hand-tossed dough, in-house sauces and dressings, the same way they’ve done it for 42 years.

RUNNERS UP: PIE HOLE, SETTEBELLO

GOURMANDISE

RUNNERS UP: FILLINGS & EMULSIONS, CITY CAKES

MOST FABULOUS Ogden Restaurant

PIG & A JELLY JAR

Starting out ten years ago in Salt Lake, well before the Harvey Milk Boulevard explosion of eateries, Pig & and Jelly Jar thrived and expanded into Ogden with their Southern-inspired, brunch-driven, from scratch fare. They also run a food truck and an eatery up the street in Ogden that serves great food and non-alcoholic cocktails that will make you drool.

RUNNERS UP: NO FRILLS DINER, ROOSTERS

RUNNERS UP: ZUPPA’S, PORCUPINE GRILL

2023

Fabby Awards

BEST PIZZA

11-TIME FABBY AWARD WINNER

ORDER ONLINE AT THEPIE.COM THE PIE UNDERGROUND

THE PIE MIDVALE

THE PIE DELIVERY

THE PIE SOUTH JORDAN

801-582-5700 1320 E 200 S, SLC 801-582-5700 275 S 1300 E, SLC

801-233-1999 7186 S UNION PARK AVE 801-495-4095 10627 S REDWOOD RD.

THE PIE S. SALT LAKE 801-466-5100 3321 S. 200 EAST

THE PIE OGDEN

801-627-1920 4300 HARRISON BLVD, OGDEN

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| Qsaltlake.com

FABBY AWARDS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 17

UTAH’S BEST BURGER QSaltLake FABBY Award Winner 11 Years in a Row

FABBY Winner

2013 “Best Burger Joint”

FABBY Winner

2014 “Best Burger Joint”

FABBY Winner

2015 “Best Burger Joint”

FABBY Winner

2016 “Best Burger Joint”

FABBY Winner

2017 “Best Burger Joint”

FABBY Winner

2018 “Best Burger Joint”

FABBY Winner

2019 “Best Burger Joint”

FABBY Winner

2020 “Best Burger Joint”

FABBY Winner

2021 “Best Burger Joint”

FABBY Winner

2022 “Best Burger Joint”

LUCKY13SLC.COM 135 W 1300 S 801.487.4418 | 21+

LUCKYSIRONDOOR.COM 3754 W CENTER VIEW WAY, W JORDAN 801.878.9439 | ALL AGES

FABBY Winner

2023 “Best Burger Joint”

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MOST FABULOUS Italian Restaurant

CAFFÉ MOLISE

Michael Aaron went to opening night of Caffe Molise in 1993 back when it was next to Dinwoody Park. It’s been his favorite restaurant since. Now on 4th South and West Temple, it’s just more grand and delicious than ever. Pollo alla Gratella is his fave.

RUNNERS UP: CAFFÉ MOLISE, SICILIA MIA

MOST FABULOUS PARK CITY Restaurant

HIGH WEST

The Saloon at High West is known for pairing whisky with heavy victuals (pronounced “vittles”) As you would ask which glass of wine should be paired with your meal, ask your server which whiskey will pair well with your food selection.

RUNNERS UP: RED BANJO PIZZA, FLANNIGAN’S

MOST FABULOUS Brew Pub

RED ROCK BREWERY

Since 1994, Red Rock Brewery has earned a national reputation as one of the most creative breweries in the country with over 100 regional and national awards and boasting ‘Brewpub of the Year’ by Brewpub Magazine and the Great American Beer Festival. All here in Zion.

RUNNERS UP: SQUATTERS, PROPER

MOST FABULOUS Salads

DESERT EDGE BREWERY

Everyone loves Desert Edge in Trolley Square. The food is great and the service is fast, friendly, and not too hard to look at.

Serving your lettuce standards, the real winners here are their grilled and daily pasta salads.

Their Thai salad with marinated beef skewers is too yum.

RUNNERS UP: CAFE ZUPPA, PULP

Caffé Molise

OPEN 7 DAYS 11:30A–3P, 5–9P (10P FRI/SAT) 404 S WEST TEMPLE 801-364-8833 caffemolise.com

BTG Wine Bar

OPEN 7 DAYS, 5P–CLOSE 404 S WEST TEMPLE 801-359-2814 btgwinebar.com

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MOST FABULOUS New Restaurant, and Most Fabulous Food Truck

NOEMI’S CAFE & CATERING

Noemi’s started as a Chilean food truck with delicious empanadas and pastries. They opened their cafe in September, 2022 in Midvale, expanding their menu to some Peruvian dishes. Go on the weekend for Pastel de Choclo, Chile’s national dish and quintessential Latin comfort food.

FOOD TRUCK RUNNERS UP: TACOS DADDY, FRY ME TO THE MOON

MOST FABULOUS

BARS & CLUBS

MOST FABULOUS All-Gay-Every-Day Bar

CLUB TRY-ANGLES

Club Try-Angles is run by a cantankerous man and his husband.

We’ll let you decide who is whom. The bar is celebrating its 23rd Christmas dinner this year, welcoming patrons who might not have a place to go, or choose not to so they can be with chosen family. With themed Friday nights and Underwear Night on the 3rd Saturday, plus Beer Church Bingo on the first Sundays. There’s always something going on at Try-Angles.

MOST FABULOUS Night Club

MILK+

MILK+ is likely the largest LGBTQ+ focused bar in Salt Lake with an open floorplan and large outdoor area. Special events and themed nights and a full kitchen serving tasty food, not your average bar fare. The Mexi Bowl is food elevated. Karakoe on Sundays.

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MOST FABULOUS Bar for the Buck

CLUB TRY-ANGLES

The coldest and cheapest beer in all of Salt Lake City, not to mention all of their cocktail prices. If you go broke here, you have a problem.

MOST FABULOUS Irish Pub

PIPER DOWN

Bangers and mash, a bloody mary bar, Saturday and Sunday brunch with two-buck mimosas, Taco Tuesdays, how can you go wrong?

There’s an event damn near every single day. And as LGBTQ friendly as they come. May the road rise up to meet you.

MOST FABULOUS Sports Bar

LOCKER ROOM

They haven’t yet been open for four minutes, but they already have a following. The location of the former Fiddler’s Elbow is now a gay sports bar. We are here to warn you, though, there are no showers and you can’t run around in your towel. We found out the hard way.

MOST FABULOUS Wine Bar

BTG

When BTG opened, Michael Aaron thought he had died and gone to Heaven. Our favorite thing to do is to go for the flights with tastes of three or four wines. How else can you enjoy a $50 bottle of wine if not an ounce or so at a time? Also serving food, this is a great date night, or a “where should we go now?” night. Downstairs from Caffe Molise.

MOST FABULOUS Beer Bar

BEER BAR

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Isn’t it kind of cheating to name yourself after a Fabby category?

Well, it’s about love, they say.

“Beer Bar is a love letter to the beer of the world. Our goal is to bring some of that world, and that love, to you all.” Well, that says it all.

MOST FABULOUS Bar that Gives Back to the Community

CLUB TRY-ANGLES

Love is always in the air at Try-Angles, and Gene, the owner, is not only driven to support the community in very special ways, but he will also take the Cookie Monster T-shirt off his back for you. But please have him leave it on.

MOST FABULOUS Monthly bar event

BEAR NIGHT AT TRY-ANGLES

The nicest people you might meet in the LGBTQ community would be the Bears. Likely larger.

Likely hairy. And Likely with a smile on their face, waiting to give a great big ... wait for it ... bear hug. Bear night is like that.

First Fridays at Club Try-Angles.

MOST FABULOUS Park City Bar

THE CABIN

One of Main Street’s most popular haunts for cocktails and live music. Located in the heart of Old Town on historic Main Street. Occupying two levels of completely remodeled space, patrons can experience dining in a modernized space while enjoying live music. Park City’s local personalities, the relaxed mountain town vibe, and The Cabin’s welcoming family will make you feel right at home.

MOST FABULOUS Ogden Bar

FUNK & DIVE BAR

You like good cheap drinks, classic beers and cocktails, unique food in an amazingly cool venue? Ogden’s only 5-star dive bar was originally built as a Prohibition speakeasy by then-mayor of Ogden Ora Bundy in the basement of the Ogden Courthouse.

Cheap drinks, amazing cocktails, pizza, burgers, sandwiches and a vegan menu. Also winner of coolest bar sign in Ogden.

MOST FABULOUS

Shopping

MOST FABULOUS Local Shop for Clothing MOST FABULOUS SHOES MOST FABULOUS UNDERWEAR

SPARK

A triple award for Spark! Shop sustainably and locally at this gay-owned, FABBY-winning clothing boutique. From undies to ties, shoes, cuff links, and more, Spark has everything you need to dress for success, and/or a hot date. Club-wear to boardroom chic, there is nothing more sparkling than Spark. They’ve expanded into a second space for women’s clothing as well.

And while you are there, don’t you have a VCR that needs some cleaning?

MOST FABULOUS Book Store

THE KING’S ENGLISH

During the pandemic, we at QSaltLake sat back and watched the adorable Rob Eckman read stories on Facebook live. That’s just who they are — ready to be part of our lives no matter what.

They have so many readings from authors Utah would never see otherwise, they make our hamlet a nicer place to live.

MOST FABULOUS Furniture

GREEN ANT

This vintage furniture store specializing in rare and collectible mid-century modern and pop-art pieces is not for the birds. Buy and sell, babies!

MOST FABULOUS Consignment/ Gently Used Clothing

ICONOCLAD

Do you love cast-off fashion?

Well, then check out Iconoclad, where you will find old-school fashion-wear plus locally made art and accessories. A must for anyone who loves Burning Man.

MOST FABULOUS Place to Buy Drag/Halloween Attire

PIB’S EXCHANGE

Swimming in all types of wigs, knee-high boots, naughty nurse costumes, and, occasionally, used clothing with a 20-dollar bill in a pocket, Pib’s is posh!!

MOST FABULOUS Nursery/Garden Center

MILLCREEK GARDENS

For 65 years, Millcreek has been your favorite garden center. The sprawling nursery has everything that a Utah garden can grow, and then some. They also have extremely knowledgeable people wandering about to help.

MOST FABULOUS Antiques

HOME AGAIN

Home Again has been offering affordable home furnishings and decor since 1997 in Sugar House and 2007 in Midvale. Their consignment items are hand-picked by their staff with quality, character, and style in mind. They’re picky so you don’t have to be.

20 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | FABBY AWARDS

MOST FABULOUS Gift Store

CAHOOTS

You know something’s a little off when you walk into Cahoots and blush. And that’s before you get to the adult section. From risque calendars to cards and games you’d probably not show your mother... unless you have THAT mother.

MOST FABULOUS Jeweler

9TH & 9TH JEWELERS

9th & 9th Jewelers offers free overnight digital CAD renderings, price quotes, and any changes you want to your design within 24 hours. Now that deserves a Fabby!

MOST FABULOUS Adult Toy Store

CAHOOTS

While cozy, the adult section at Cahoots is a place you wouldn’t be embarrassed to walk into, especially because the staff is so helpful and, well, adult about it all.

MOST FABULOUS Florist

THE ART FLORAL

The people are what make The Art Floral so Fabby. Did you see them handing out flowers at the Utah Pride 2.0 Road Rallies?

They gave out 2,000 carnations with QSaltLake in 2019. Fabby.

MOST FABULOUS

ARTS

MOST FABULOUS Theater Company

SALT LAKE ACTING COMPANY

Since 1969, SLAC has been the arts organization for Salt Lake’s most open and adventurous audience, now presenting a yearround season of 5 to 7 regional and world premieres, to an audience of over 37,000. Forever known for Saturday’s Voyeur, the company now produces SLACabaret.

RUNNERS-UP: PLAN-B THEATRE CO., PYGMALION THEATRE CO.

MOST FABULOUS ART MUSEUM

UTAH MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART

UMOCA was started by Alta Rawlins Jensen as the Art Barn Association. It was housed at the adorable building near the UofU until 1979 when it moved to the center of downtown in the Salt Palace building. They believe in the power of the art of our time.

MOST FABULOUS Music event of 2021

KILBY COURT BLOCK PARTY

Qsaltlake.com |

MOST FABULOUS

SERVICES MOST FABULOUS Attorney

CHRIS WHARTON

Chris Wharton donates much of his time to helping the community and those in it. He represents people in our community who otherwise may not be able to find representation. He’s also my city councilperson and had the pothole on my street fixed.

Okay, that last part wasn’t true.

But I’m sure he’d try!

Kilby Court is celebrating 25 years of music and it’s planning to celebrate in a big way come spring. The iconic Salt Lake City venue announced the lineup fort its fifth Kilby Court Block Party which features groups like LCD Soundsystem, the Postal Service, Vampire Weekend and Wu-Tang Clan among other big names and up-and-coming acts.It will return to Utah State Fairpark from May 10–12, 2024.

This monthly market is as much event as it is fleas. Wait. That’s wrong. The year-round market lets you shop, browse and enjoy the experience of a (second) Sunday in downtown Salt Lake City 10am–4pm.

MOST FABULOUS Dance Company

MOST FABULOUS Place to Get Pierced

BALLET WEST

This world-renowned dance company is as old as Michael Aaron. Started in 1963, it was the first ballet department in an American university at The University of Utah. Artistic Director Adam Sklute energized and expanded Ballet West’s remarkable repertoire since 2007.

Now you can see Dracula with the live music of the Ballet West Orchestra through Oct. 30.

MOST FABULOUS Musical Group

SALT LAKE MEN’S CHOIR

Just having sung its 40th holiday concert, the Salt Lake Men’s Choir has staying power. It is the largest member-supported arts organiztion in the state, and now boasts about its greatest number of singers onstage, providing an ongoing tradition for the holidays for our community, and a summer concert of different genres of music each year.

MOST FABULOUS Flea Market

URBAN FLEA MARKET

KOI PIERCING

Koi has been punching holes in human bodies since 1997 and would have been winning FABBY Awards back then if our prestigious publication had existed then.

MOST FABULOUS Tattoos

CORY HARRIS, LOYALTY TATTOO

The reviews are rave for the talented Cory Harris. Most talk about how it’s great to be zapped by such a nice guy. And, he wants to do more dog tats.

ISSUE 355 |

January, 2024

MOST FABULOUS Barber

GOD SHAVE THE QUEEN

WHAMbarber George Michael Duven (get it?) burst onto the scene and can be found supporting many community charity events offering prizes of a free haircut. He also offers manscaping services to keep all your regions tidy. All that and he’s not too hard to look at, as well. Fabby!

RUNNERS-UP: PUCK THE BARBER, FRIAR TUCKS BARBER SHOP

MOST FABULOUS Insurance Agent

JON JEPSEN, SENTRY WEST Jon Jepsen is a doer in this community. He volunteers on boards, was on the first Salt Lake City Human Rights Commission, and is just a nice guy. He has partnerships with so many insurance companies that he will surely find one that fits your needs.

MOST FABULOUS Real Estate Agent

BABS DE LAY, URBAN UTAH

Babs was selling homes in Salt Lake before the Mormon pioneers climbed through Emigration Canyon. They’re on every city commission there is. They basically run this town.

And Babs knows their shit when it comes to buying and selling in Salt Lake.

MOST FABULOUS Church

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

The host of the Salt Lake Men’s Choir and the Matrons of Mayhem, as well as many other LGBT events, is also a great place to visit on Sundays. Pastor Curtis, when the Rona wasn’t around, loved to head down to the Utah Pride Center just to chat with the people there. Same-sex marriage became legal? Pastor Curtis was their marrying people.

Beware of his dad jokes though.

January, 2024 |

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| Qsaltlake.com

MOST FABULOUS TV News

MOST FABULOUS Car Dealership

Don’t let the word “Fox” in “Fox 13 News” scare you. This group is the hardest-working news team in the state and regularly reports on Utah’s LGBTQ community … in a good way.

Mark Miller has been a proud Pride sponsor for many years.

They know love is love and love makes a Subaru. They have the national awards to prove it. They also save homeless dogs in a big way, which is huge in my book.

FOX 13 NEWS

MostFabulousRadioStation

KRCL FM 90.9

KRCL is northern Utah’s only non-profit, member-supported community radio station dedicated to broadcasting a well-curated contemporary eclectic mix of music and community information 24 hours a day.

MOST FABULOUS Kennel/Pet Boarding Dog Grooming

THE DOG DEN

Brand new to the valley and already winning awards. Maybe because they care enough to have supervised playtime, separate play areas, and webcams so you can check up on Phydeaux.

While their place is new, the staff have been taking care of four-legged friends for dozens of years.

FABBY AWARDS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 21

MARK MILLER SUBARU 801-308-2050

www.jonjepsen.com

MOST FABULOUS Caterer

LUX CATERING & EVENTS

Lux has donated thousands of dollars worth of food and services to Utah’s LGBTQ community over its many years.

They are the most environmentally aware caterer in the state.

They are also a certified LGBT Business Enterprise.

MOST FABULOUS Wedding Officiant

CHRISTOPHER SCUDERI

Christopher may be the hardest working minister in the valley.

He even gets up for an Easter service in Park City at the crack of dawn. He’s been doing samesex weddings since before it was legal. He also takes care of funerals and healing blessings.

BARBER AND BODY GROOMING

GEORGE MICHAEL DUVEN 1140 E B RICKYARD R D #33 STE 108 BY APPT G O D S H AV E T H E Q U E E N . C O 8 0 1-3 3 0 - 5 0 5 5

When buying or selling real estate, you don’t want a part-�me agent working a side hustle, but a professional who’s versed in winning a mul�ple offer ba�le, marke�ng strategies to get the best price, knowing LGBTQ vendors and allies for mortgages, inspec�ons, a�orneys, etc. With four decades as a full-�me agent/broker and the first ‘out’ REALTOR® in Utah, I’d love to help you with this huge financial decision. I sell downtown condos in Salt Lake, homes with casitas in St. George, homes of those who have passed, and 1031 exchanges on income or commercial proper�es. Text or call any�me.

Babs De Lay, Urban Utah Homes and Estates 801.201.8824

22 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | FABBY AWARDS

Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 355 |

January, 2024

MOST FABULOUS Leader of an LGBT Group

MICHAEL AARON, UTAH MALE NATURISTS

MOST FABULOUS Financial Planner

TRACEY DEAN Tracey Dean is a licensed investment advisor representative founder of Tracey Dean Financial, LLC. which means she is a fiduciary, acting in the best interest of her clients, first, foremost, and always. She is an energetic, hard working, trustworthy partner who works in different facets of the financial services industry. She is also the best convention wife there is.

MOST FABULOUS Wedding DJ

DJ PAULY

While most DJs just focus on music, DJ Pauly focuses on your experience. From the first planning meeting, to the last dance of the night, he works with you to deliver an amazing, stress-free party that you and your guests will never forget.

MOST FABULOUS Financial Institution

MOUNTAIN AMERICA CREDIT UNION

Nearly a million members and $13 billion in assets, Mountain America Credit Union assists members on the right path to help them identify and achieve their financial dreams.

MOST FABULOUS Organizations

MOST FABULOUS Political Group

STONEWALL DEMOCRATS

Utah Stonewall Democrats started out as Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats — GLUD. I think they changed the name because of the ugly-sounding acronym. Or maybe, we’d started it before the terms Gay and Lesbian were “in fashion.” Methinks it’s the latter.

MOST FABULOUS Group for Youth

ENCIRCLE

Encircle is a non-profit organization with the mission to bring the family and community together to enable LGBTQ+ youth to thrive. They provide drop-in hours for 12–25-year-olds, daily programs, friendship circles, and therapy services.

MOST FABULOUS SOCIAL GROUP

BLACK BOOTS

A sex-positive social and educational group for men with leather, kink, BDSM and fetish interests since 2013. blackBOOTS hosts social events, lunches, workshops/classes and Leather Church on the third Sunday of each month at Club Try-Angles.

MOST FABULOUS Sports Group

QUAC

Queer Utah Aquatic Club may be the longest-running sports group in Utah’s LGBTQ community.

The swim group holds practices Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at Fairmont Aquatic Center, and water polo on Mondays and Tuesdays around the valley.

RUNNER-UP: STONEWALL SPORTS

MOST FABULOUS

PEOPLE

MOST FABULOUS Bartender

KEVIN SMITH, CLUB TRY-ANGLES

Always with a smile — forced at times — Kevin is the hardest working bartender in the state.

And he’s not too hard to look at.

A word to the wise, though: on underwear night, watch out for your drinks, as they might be spilt by his undie protuberance.

RUNNER-UP: RILEY RICHTER, CLUB VERSE

Yeah, we finally allowed Michael Aaron to accept this FABBY. He has run the nudist group since 2001, hosting most of the events at his house and backyard — The Garden of EDUN (for those who didn’t notice, that is NUDE spelled backwards). The group for all who identify as men has been around since the 80s. Once it died, likely because of lax rules around sex at the events, he took up the mantle, enforced the nonsexual nature of the group, and it has flourished over two decades since.

RUNNERS-UP: MICHAEL SANDERS, TROY WILLIAMS

MOST FABULOUS TV News Reporter

BEN WINSLOW

We’ve decided to name this category after Ben and retire it until he decides to retire in Palm Springs with the rest of them. His ever-present feeds of information both on the tube and the intertubes are engaging with just enough snark to still be uber-professional. A promoter of UTA Route 500 — the Capitol Connector. We think it’s more about protecting his socks on the walk up the hill than protecting the environment.

MOST FABULOUS DJ AT A GAY BAR

DJ NAOMI AT CLUB VERSE

DJ Naomi has set down beats in the LGBTQ scene in Salt Lake for many years, including Club Sound, Gossip!, Dimitri’s, Club Axis, Vortex, and Sun Trapp.

Did you know she once called herself DJ Pink High Heel?

RUNNER-UP: JESSE AT TRY-ANGLES

MOST FABULOUS QSaltLake Columnist

PETUNIA PAP SMEAR

The inventor of the Breasticle® and the proud wearer of a faux mustache and a larger-than-life beehive hairdo, Petunia Pap Smear, aka Courtney Moser, has written nearly 200 Tales of Peril in these pages. She is a favorite of the straight men at locations we drop off to. They clamor! Q

January, 2024 | ISSUE 355 |

PERSON OF THE YEAR | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 23

Qsaltlake.com

Person of the Year: Courtney Moser, aka Petunia Pap Smear

ities, including pet rescue, homeless youth, health, and other organizations.

When praised for his life’s work, Moser will pshaw and poo-poo the attention — a trait of a true hero.

As the ultra-right hate-mongers target family-friendly drag shows and bingo, Petunia and the Matrons march on, unfettered.

For that, we declare Courtney Moser/Petunia Pap Smear our Person of the Year. Q

ALSO NOMINATED:

Deb Hall

BY MICHAEL AARON

We may

have broken a few rules here for our Person of the Year choice. One, Courtney Moser, aka Petunia Pap Smear, is a writer for QSaltLake Magazine and has been for over 15 years. Two, Person of the Year is not supposed to resemble a Lifetime Achievement Award, but here we are.

As Petunia announced her retirement from being the grand dame/matriarch/ queen matron of the Matrons of Mayhem (and now shall be titled Matron Dowager), it gives us time to reflect on what Moser has done over his many years of activism in Utah’s LGBTQ community.

On December 3, the last day of Petunia’s queen motherhood, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall declared the day “Courtney Moser Day” in honor of his long dedication to helping Utah’s LGTBQ community. If you missed it, the Hallmark cards are now at Dollar Tree in the clearance section.

In 2015, Moser was given arguably the highest honor from Utah’s LGBTQ community — the Kristen Ries Community Service Award at Utah Pride.

This, to a self-proclaimed “full-fledged, rainbow flag-waving, high heel-wearing, sheep tending ‘“’Ida-Homo.’”

Yes, Moser was born during the Eisenhower administration in Downey, Idaho, current population 463, in the north end of Cache Valley (or, as in his early fantasies, “Cash Valley”). His family grew potatoes and raised sheep. If you

want to see a sneer that would melt graphite, mention “sheep” to his face.

In his college-age years, Moser moved to then-Utah State College. It was there that his activism blossomed, especially in the early 80s when HIV-AIDS attacked gay men around the world. Moser took to the “cruisy” area of the town, wondering how he could have the guys actually meet each other, rather than just “meat” each other and leave. He started having weenie roasts, inviting the cruisers to stop and have a bite. As the pandemic grew, he started making “goodie bags” of condoms and HIV-related information, hanging them on trees in the cruisy park.

Moser and long-time partner, now-husband, Kelly Byrnes, opened their house to many, many gatherings of the community during that time, including barbecues and “underwear parties.” Byrnes was the founder and pastor of Logan’s Metropolitan Community Church, which ministers to the LGBTQ community, with Moser as hospitality and musical director.

His involvement in Logan included local events, film festivals, pride celebrations, interfaith gatherings, discussions, and panels at Utah State to inform the university community about being in the LGBTQ community, its challenges, and its success.

This year marks the 16th year he was the head of the Matrons of Mayhem.

Over that period of time, the bingo-calling, fund-raising group raised nearly a half million dollars for smaller char-

“Deb Hall has done an outstanding job of organizing events for LGBTQ+ seniors. Seniors Out and Proud provides fun and exciting activities that help gay seniors not feel so isolated. Everything from physical activities, such as walking/hiking, kayaking, biking, to social activities like dinners , movies, free theater tickets and more.”

Ben Matthews, aka Tara Lipsyncki “Despite the facts that Tara Lipsyncki faced multiple obstacles and threats especially regarding her drag story time events at Salt Lake City venues, she not only never retreated, but doubled down by opening an inclusive community bookstore, Mosaics: Community Bookstore & Venue in Utah county, providing a valuable safe space for LGBTQ+ members in the area under the heavy LDS church influences.”

Southern Utah Drag Stars, Mitski Avalox “Mitski has been fierce in the path of immense opposition when she started Southern Utah Dragstars. Try as they might to stop her and her goal of bringing drag and the expression of queer joy to St George, UT, Mitski persisted. Against City Council members (one in particular), protestors, and people who don’t understand, Mitski stood strong and persistent and has shared the magic of drag.”

“She founded Southern Utah Drag Stars, is currently suing the city of Saint George with the ACLU on behalf of queer voices in Utah, and was awarded the Queer to Stay grant.” Q

24 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | PEOPLE OF THE YEAR

Qsaltlake.com |

ISSUE 355 |

January, 2024

Our past People of the Year This is our 18th People of the Year issue. A total of 54 people have been declared our People of the Year, ranging in age from 18 to however old the most senior LDS leader is. We’ve declared mostly people who have affected Utah’s LGBTQ community for the better in a year, but at times it was for worse. But even the latter changes our community for the better, as they tend to get people involved in our progress in response to their ugliness.

Here are the covers of our previous 18 People of the Year issues:

2004: Scott McCoy

Executive director of the Don’t Amend Alliance fighting against Utah’s Amendment 3 which banned, for a while, samesex marriage in the state.

2005: 6 Utahns

Utah Pride Center director Valerie Larabee, Utah Sen. Scott McCoy, Southern Utah Pride founders Amy Marie and Amy Selfridge, Salt Lake Gay Athletic Assn founder Mark Barr, Provo High School Gay/Straight Alliance founder Kaisha Medford.

2006: Larry H. Miller

Former Utah Jazz owner Larry H. Miller for refusing to screen “Brokeback Mountain,” inspiring a community to rise up against him.

2010: Brandie Balken

Brandie Balken, who led Equality Utah as it successfully campaigned for ten municipalities to pass nondiscrimination ordinances across the state.

2013: Marian Edmonds Allen

Marian Edmonds Allen grew OUTreach Resource Centers from Ogdenbased to several locations in Northern Utah.

2008: Thomas Monson

LDS Church president Thomas S. Monson for getting the church involved in California’s Proposition 8, creating thousands of activists in Utah as a result.

2011: Sister Dottie S. Dixon, aka Charles Lynn Frost

Every gay person growing up needed a Sister Dottie S. Dixon in their lives. Charles Lynn Frost’s character appealed to people all around LDS and LGBTQ culture.

2014: Those who brought marriage Equality to Utah

Plaintiffs and leaders in the lawsuit that brought Judge Robert Shelby’s decision to overturn Utah’s anti-samesex marriage laws.

2007: Ralph Becker

Then Salt Lake City Mayor-elect Ralph Becker for steadfastly showing a bold plan for LGBTQ rights through his campaign even as KUTV’s Rod Decker warned of gay marriage in city hall.

2009: 3 Bold Women

Former Salt Lake City Councilperson Deeda Seed, then-SLC Councilperson Jill Remington Love, and then-Salt Lake County Councilperson Jenny Wilson

2015: LDS Leaders

2012: Volunteer Leaders

The most significant effect on LGBTQ Utahns is made by volunteer leaders of a myriad of groups who create community.

Church officials met in private with several LGBTQ leaders through the year and crafted what is now called the “Utah Compromise” in passing nondiscrimination laws in the state.

January, 2024 |

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| Qsaltlake.com

PEOPLE OF THE YEAR | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 25

First-time Exam, Bite-wing X-rays, Cleaning

2016: Misty Snow

The first openly-transgender person to run for a statewide office, Misty Snow brought visibility and open discussion to Utahns.

2019: Mark Lawrence

The man with the vision, the tenacity, and the bull-headedness to create Restore Our Humanity, the group that overturned Utah’s Anti-same-sex marriage laws.

Dr Josef Benzon, DDS www.alpenglowdentists.com

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2017: Carol Gnade

In a tumultuous year for the Utah Pride Center, Carol Gnade stepped in and steadied the boat.

2020: Those holding a community together during a pandemic

Utah Pride Center’s Deb Hall and John Johnson, Project Rainbow’s Dallas Rivas, Harrison Spendlove, Bonnie O’Brien and Kate Rusk, Ben Morgan and Cody Scott, Gene Gieber, Michael Repp and Riley Richter.

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2018: Rob Moolman

Executive director of the Utah Pride Center who immediately reached out to the community, initially bringing respect back to the center.

2021: Sean Childers-Gray, Angie Rice, Chris Wharton

Two plaintiffs — Sean ChildersGray and Angie Rice — and their lawyer Chris Wharton who won the right for transgender Utahns to change their gender marker on state documents. Q

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26 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | QUEER GUIDE TO SUNDANCE

Qsaltlake.com |

ISSUE 355 |

January, 2024

QUEER GUIDE TO SUNDANCE 2024

The Sundance Film Festival released its 2024 lineup and we found many offerings that will be of interest to the LGBTQ community for our annual Queer Guide to Sundance.

The festival takes place in-person and online Jan. 18–28.

U.S. DOCUMENTARY

cacophony of rich archival sights, music, and journal entries joyfully brought to life, we become immersed in Frida’s interior world, fears, arduous relationships, and events that drove her indelible artistic creations.

U.S. DRAMATIC

Frida DIRECTOR: CARLA GUTIÉRREZ

In the Summers DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER ALESSANDRA LACORAZZA

An intimately raw and magical journey through the life, mind, and heart of iconic artist Frida Kahlo. Told through her own words for the very first time — drawn from her diary, revealing letters, essays, and print interviews — and brought vividly to life by lyrical animation inspired by her unforgettable artwork. Carla Gutierrez, renowned for her masterful editing of films brings artistry and a deep understanding of her subject to an astonishing directorial debut. Through a

On a journey that spans the formative years of their lives, two sisters navigate their loving but volatile father during their yearly summer visits to his home in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

With grounded thoughtfulness, debut feature director Alessandra Lacorazza weaves a rich tapestry of memories in New Mexico as childhood and adolescence collide with the realities of adulthood. René Pérez Joglar (aka Residente) gives a layered and gut-wrenching performance as the charming-yet-troubled

Love Machina DIRECTOR: PETER SILLEN Futurists Martine and Bina Rothblatt commission an advanced humanoid AI named Bina48 to transfer Bina’s consciousness from a human to a robot in an attempt to continue their once-in-a-galaxy love affair for the rest of time. Love Machina is where futurism meets love, where love meets humanity, where humanity meets AI.

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QUEER GUIDE TO SUNDANCE | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 27

| Qsaltlake.com

Vicente, struggling to fully connect with his daughters through games that slowly lose their luster in the shadow of his habits.

of dark places guided by a profound humanity.

A careful balance between a consistent, razor-sharp humor and the development of a distinctive cinematic tone create a particular mood and energy that is not easily forgotten.

WORLD CINEMA DOCUMENTARY

Ponyboi DIRECTOR: ESTEBAN ARANGO, SCREENWRITER: RIVER GALLO

Unfolding over the course of Valentine’s Day in New Jersey, a young intersex sex worker must run from the mob after a drug deal goes sideways, forcing him to confront his past.

Ponyboi bursts off the screen in this bombastic, edgy, and campy roller-coaster ride of a film. Flipping the script on the LGBTQ+ return home tale and the classic Jersey mobster saga, this neon-soaked story is not only full of action but also pure moments of tenderness. Complicated and hilarious, Ponyboi’s journey exposes a kaleidoscope of ways humanity is sugary sweet under hard surfaces. Backdrops of laundromats, diners, and the Jersey Shore create a heightened sense of place and time that is at once precisely transportative and fantastically imaginary.

Stress Positions DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER THEDA HAMMEL Terry Goon is keeping strict quarantine in his ex-husband’s Brooklyn brownstone while caring for his nephew — a 19-year-old model from Morocco named Bahlul — bedridden in a full leg cast after an electric scooter accident. Unfortunately for Terry, everyone in his life wants to meet the model. Stress Positions is as much a finely tuned time capsule of the frantic fear and formative power of the pandemic as it is a road map out

Agent of ­Happiness DIRECTOR: ARUN BHATTARAI, SCREENWRITER: DOROTTYA ZURBÓ”

Amber is one of the many agents working for the Bhutanese government to measure people’s happiness levels among the remote Himalayan mountains. But will he find his own along the way? Agent of Happiness, directed

by Arun Bhattarai and Dorottya Zurbó, offers a unique take on the notoriously exoticized Bhutan and its unusual happiness policy. We follow Amber as he investigates various expressions of contentment across different households and lifestyles while navigating his own struggle as a Nepali minority. The holistic philosophy at the heart of the survey he conducts challenges the conventional metrics of fulfillment and success, often provoking some deeper soul-searching. The filmmakers elegantly capture many tender moments between Amber and his interlocutors, as well as some very revealing conversations filled with unflinching honesty and quiet wisdom.

WORLD CINEMA DRAMATIC

Layla DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: AMROU AL-KADHI When Layla, a struggling Arab drag queen,

falls in love for the first time, they lose and find themself in a transformative relationship that tests who they really are. Amrou Al-Kadhi’s propulsive direction shines alongside Bilal Hasna’s breakout performance, and while Layla, the character, may be going through some qualms about identity, the film itself is a proud queer love story — with all the complications involved. Under Al-Kadhi’s care, the audience is ushered into the sanctity of queer spaces, the nightclub and the beauty supply store, places for more than just entertainment, doors to a more embodied, honest existence, a home, an Eden of sorts.

Al-Kadhi is unafraid to question who isn’t welcome in these spaces and the isolation one faces when certain demarcation becomes too clear to ignore. Layla is a tale of self-acceptance and community love, so come for some fun and boogie to all the club hits! There’s plenty of sparkle to go around.—AE

Sebastian DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: MIKKO MÄKELÄ Max, a 25-year-old aspiring writer living in London, begins a double life as a sex worker in order to research his debut novel. In his assured sophomore feature, Finnish-British writer/director Mikko Mäkelä explores the transgressive power of queer sexuality and the transformative impact that can result from embracing a new identity. Far from simply informing his secretly autobiographical fiction writing, Max’s experiences as “Sebastian” awaken a deeper sense of self, unshackled from societal expectations. Ruaridh Mollica impresses in the lead role, embodying Max with an initially hesitant curiosity that blossoms into exhilaration and ease as he becomes subsumed within his nocturnal alias.

Eschewing the sensationalism or moralizing that often accompanies stories of sex work, Sebastian instead offers a refreshing, sex-positive take in a film that ultimately celebrates the liberation that accompanies self-exploration.—BT”

28 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | QUEER GUIDE TO SUNDANCE

Qsaltlake.com |

ISSUE 355 |

January, 2024

PREMIERES

EPISODIC

Rosskam makes his Sundance debut with this daring, sexy exploration of the interdependence of gender expression and sexuality.

Deploying a hybrid approach, Rosskam blends a deeply intellectual interrogation of the archive, a sharp erotic imagination, and a series of breathtakingly intimate interviews to create this layered document of transmasculine sexuality and its profoundly social roots and ripples.

Look Into My Eyes DIRECTOR: LANA WILSON

Better Angels: The Gospel ­A ccording to Tammy Faye DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: DANA ADAM SHAPIRO,

SHORTS 27 DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: FLÓRA ANNA BUDA

A group of New York City psychics conduct deeply intimate readings for their clients, revealing a kaleidoscope of loneliness, connection, and healing.

SCREENWRITER: HELEN ROLLINS”

As told by her family, friends, and enemies, the meteoric rise, scandalous fall, and unlikely resurrection of Tammy Faye, the “First Lady of the Electric Church,” poses an increasingly relevant question: How did we get the story so wrong? The Festival will present the first two episodes of this four-part documentary series.”

MIDNIGHT

When Will Ferrell finds out his close friend of 30 years is coming out as a trans woman, the two decide to embark on a cross-country road trip to process this new stage of their relationship in an intimate portrait of friendship, transition, and America. Will Ferrell and Harper Steele are humorously and lovingly vulnerable in director Josh Greenbaum’s latest documentary, Will & Harper. Through the frame of a decades-long friendship (and the windshield of Harper’s Jeep), the pair reconnect in emotional and unexpected ways as they journey across middle America.

Trapped at home with hallucinogenic drugs and his talking cat, an “alter” anonymously performs lascivious acts on the Internet, seeking refuge in the strong arms of strange men, hoping to masturbate his way to true happiness.

A compelling portrait of ALOK, acclaimed nonbinary author, poet, comedian, and public speaker. Executive Produced by Jodie Foster.

Merman DIRECTOR: ANDRE CHAMBERS, SCREENWRITER: STERLING HAMPTON IV

Love Lies Bleeding DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: ROSE GLASS Reclusive gym manager Lou falls hard for Jackie, an ambitious bodybuilder headed through town to Las Vegas in pursuit of her dream. But their love ignites violence, pulling them deep into the web of Lou’s criminal family.

Will & Harper DIRECTOR: JOSH GREENBAUM

Bold Eagle DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER:, WHAMMY ALCAZAREN

Alok DIRECTOR: ALEX HEDISON

Sue Bird: In the Clutch DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: SARAH DOWLAND In her 21-year professional career, WNBA basketball legend Sue Bird has won five Olympic gold medals and become the most successful point guard to ever play the game.

Alongside her fiancée, U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe, Sue confronts her next challenge: retiring from the only life she’s ever known.

Alice is 27 years old today. Even though she is suffocating a bit, she still lives with her parents and tends to live in her dreams to escape her dreary everyday life.

NEXT

A 58-year-old Black Queer man speaks the truth about his life as an emergency nurse, a leather enthusiast, husband, and civil rights advocate.

Didn’t Think I’d See You Here DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: DYLAN GUERRA

Rory thinks there’s a ghost haunting his shower and decides to investigate its origin. But when he goes to a party and meets a romantic interest, his spectral mystery begins to unravel.

Grace DIRECTOR: NATALIE JASMINE HARRIS

Sixteen-year-old Grace prepares for her baptism in the rural 1950s South. When she learns she must repent before the ritual, she begins to question the budding romantic feelings she has toward her best friend, Louise. Q

Desire Lines DIRECTOR: JULES ROSSKAM, SCREENWRITERS: NATE GUALTIERI, JULES ROSSKAM”

Past and present collide when an Iranian American trans man time-travels through an LGBTQ+ archive on a dizzying and erotic quest to unravel his own sexual desires.

Leading trans academic and scholar Jules

More films and information can be found at festival.sundance.org

January, 2024 |

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QUEER GUIDE TO SLAMDANCE 2024 Slamdance is the subversive film festival that has built a legacy of disrupting the status quo. It is a qualifying film festival for both the Oscars and the BAFTA awards. Slamdance will celebrate its 30th Festival in Park City and Salt Lake City from January 1925 and virtually on the Slamdance Channel from January 22-28 with over 125 film programs and live events.

Sam’s World DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: LILY LADY Sam’s World follows the immersive subjectivity of its main character, Sam, as they grapple with a decision about their secret pregnancy, fantasize about a more supportive partner, and feel dissociated from their friend group. The film centers around a hyper-niche milieu but manages to evoke the universal themes of identity, jealousy and coming of age.

Roll Bus Roll: A Jeffrey Lewis Documentary DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: ILYA POPENKO Roll Bus Roll casts an eye at the life and art of Jeffrey Lewis, one of the most prominent musicians associated with NYC’s anti-folk scene. The film opens with an exploration of the anti-folk, offering a glimpse into the unique movement that challenges traditional folk conventions. Then the viewer follows Jeffrey on tour, across cities and continents. Jeffrey, is a self-deprecating genius, introduced through

contrasting narratives: his own modest self-assessment, and the views of fans and fellow artists such as Adam Green.

The documentary reaches its emotional climax as Jeffrey opens up about a lost love, revealing his mental health struggles that impacted his relationship.

One Bullet DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: CAROL DYSINGER, SCREENWRITER: STEEN JOHANNESSEN

This story of female friendship forged amidst America’s longest war is told by a filmmaker who spent 18 years in-and-out of Afghanistan. In this war movie, the battlefield lies behind the curtains of an Afghan home as Bibi Hajji struggles to survive the loss of her youngest child, and the impact of a brother’s death on her remaining sons. A haunting image of that boy surviving a bullet wound prompted director Carol Dysinger to investigate, what happened to him, who fired the shot? “One Bullet” evolves from procedural to an excavation of the human experience, of loss and redemption. It asks: how might we make peace across vast social, cultural and religious divisions? Two women drinking one cup of tea at a time.

SHORTS NOHOMO DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: J.SANTOS NOHOMO is a queer journey through the mind of Dick, a young man fighting his urges. Dick’s mundane evening turns sour when his penis launches an attack on him.

Animated on the Nintendo 3DS and enhanced to create a sickly, low-fi world, NOHOMO oozes with toxic neon reminiscent of fuzzy velvet coloring books.

Flutz DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: RYAN MCCOWN

Two rival figure skaters under the same coach compete for the top spot.

Light of Light DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: NERITAN ZINXHIRIA

In one of the most isolated places in the world, a monk created his own camera in 1932. Nearly a century later, filmmaker Neritan Zinxhiria discovers and reconstructs the 3000 preserved

photographic plates, blending them with his own evocative Super 8, crafting a cinematic pilgrimage, where the past interlaces seamlessly with the present, in a spellbinding visual narrative that defies the constraints of time itself.

Lotus-Eyed Girl DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: RAJEE SAMARASINGHE

Loosely based on the erotic poem “Caurapañcāśikā” by Bilhana, which was written in prison upon discovery of the poet’s clandestine affair with Princess Yaminipurnatilaka. The verses were written while awaiting judgment, not knowing if he was to be executed or exiled—his fate is unknown. “Lotus-Eyed Girl” ruminates on the curious and fractured intersections of death, desire, and class.

Monolith DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER TERESITA (TERI) CARSON

Part essay film, part videopoem, Monolith braids found footage, documentary, experimental, 3D animation and narrative filmmaking devices to explore notions of collectivity, dissent, indigenous knowledge and non-linear time.

This shape-shifting film questions the ongoing legacies of nationalist archives, archeology, and coloniality.

Dissolution DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: ANTHONY SAXE

Dissolution is a film chronicling my parents’ divorce after forty-eight years of marriage. Starring my parents as themselves, this hybrid short combines archival home-video footage with new footage based on the events surrounding their recent divorce and my father’s battle with alcoholism.

Night Drives DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: JONO HUNTER, SCREENWRITER: ALEX STYPULA

A collection of 6 short episodes from Season 2 of the award-winning animated web series, Night Drives. Somewhere between waking life and a dream, you will be treated to surrealist stories about aviation, alien abductions, blockbuster movie trivia, nihilistic video game designers, awkward houseguests, and the tranquillity of outer space.

Filmed in live action and rotoscoped after the fact, Night Drives offers a unique visual take on cringe comedy.

More films and information can be found at slamdance.com/festival

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We’ve Got Her, Babe

Cher talks new Christmas album, anti-LGBTQ+ ‘insanity’ and why she never took credit for co-writing ‘Believe’

BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI

January, 2024 |

After

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being introduced to Cher on the phone as her “old friend Chris” by Cher’s longtime publicist Liz Rosenberg, there is only one sensible way for me to respond: “Hello, old friend Cher.”

Calling Cher an old friend to Cher feels completely natural — well, almost.

There is at least some familiarity in knowing her off the phone too, through a treasure trove of a half-century’s worth of artistic contributions, even if the icon is a higher pop culture power. But then, at the same time, the enduring gay icon has also been like an old friend to those in the LGBTQ+ community, including me.

Just a couple of years after coming out at 18, I saw my first Cher concert with my mom, who brought Cher into my world when I was a young kid, before I felt confident enough to tell her I was gay (weird to think that now even Cher knows I’m gay). The 2002 Michigan show at the Palace of Auburn Hills, part of her not-so-farewell “Farewell Tour,” is one of my earliest memories of finding other gay people outside of male-for-male AOL chat rooms — so many gay Cher fans in one big space, a glittery, strutting pop goddess our master of ceremonies.

From her California home on a recent November day, Cher says this relationship she has with us runs even deeper, though. That particular connection, she notes, began at 9 when she first felt like an outsider herself. Now, at 77, it has only strengthened after six decades spent growing a gay icon status built on music and film, live shows across the globe and the kind of loyal allyship that feels like a mother’s love. “We’re family,” she tells me.

I first interviewed Cher in 2018, just after she released an album of ABBA covers in conjunction with “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” which also starred the Oscar-winning actress. This time, our conversation was prompted by a different project, one that she surprisingly has never tackled until now: a Christmas album.

Titled simply “Christmas,” Cher does the holidays her own way, with a couple of Christmas party songs — the “Believe”-style club romp “DJ Play That Christmas Song” and the funky hip-hop track “Drop Top Sleigh Ride” with rapper

Tyga — along with two collaborations featuring fellow gay icon Cyndi Lauper and a duet with Darlene Love on “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).”

On the poignant album closer, “This Will Be Our Year,” she, like the best of friends, keeps the light flickering in the dark. “I won’t forget the way you held me up when I was down, and I won’t forget the way you said, ‘Darling, I love you, you gave me faith to go on.’”

An “old friend” can also get away with joking that they’ll punch you if you print something that is said off the record, which Cher did during our wide-ranging interview on everything from the possibility of touring again, anti-trans hostility and being “so stupid” for not taking credit for co-writing “Believe.”

It’s wonderful to talk to you again. I bet you didn’t think you’d be talking to me again. Is this the third time?

This is the second. Where are you going to be in your career the third time we talk? I’ll be singin’ in heaven, baby! I think that we could get a long extension cord.

I heard you were just at the gym. Well, I was doing steps for “DJ,” and I was down in the gym earlier working out. So put some ketchup on me because I’m fried!

I miss you on what was formerly known as Twitter. I just miss the constant witticisms. Can I tell you something? I miss it. You have no idea how I miss it. When Twitter was real, I did it through Tweetbot, and so when I came on, everybody that was a fan of mine just came there.

Now, everybody is scattered. I can’t find people. This is just, please… I don’t know. Don’t fuck with something that’s good, OK? If you buy it, why ruin it?

That sounds like a good career motto. [Laughs.] It always hasn’t been true, Chris.

How so? This is the weird thing: People always say, “Oh, you keep reinventing yourself.” That’s not exactly true. I’ve probably been like this since I was about 5, but I have valleys that are like, “What is going on here?” And then I do something, and it comes to the public and all of a sudden people go, “Oh my god, she

reinvented herself again.” No, I just got a job. Tell me, have I ever been different?

I feel like the essence of Cher has always been Cher. Even on this album. It’s a Cher album.

There’s no “Silent Night,” right? No, there’s no “Silent Night.”

What songs were you eager to do and which ones did you say no to? I just picked all the songs. And I had some friends that gave me songs and I took some of them.

Like Rob Dickins gave me “Run Rudolph Run” and then Sarah Hudson, who I’ve known since she was 4, wrote “DJ,” “Drop Top Sleigh” and “Angels in the Snow.”

But I didn’t have anybody in the beginning. I wasn’t planning it either. I called Cyn and I said, “If I did something on my Christmas album and it was good for you, would you want to do something?”

And I have no idea why I did it. But it happened really with Stevie [Wonder].

Because I’d done the song [“What Christmas Means to Me”] and there were parts that were just… I couldn’t find them.

So I called Stevie and I was like… well, if I say something, will you not print it?

Off the record between us? Yeah. I want to say this one word and it won’t sound… you have to swear to God or I will come and punch your lights out!

Can I say that? [Laughs.] All right. Anyway… oh, fuck. I don’t want to say it. I’m afraid it won’t sound good. So anyway, I was really, really frightened and I was saying, “Do you think Stevie will remember that we knew each other?” And so I called him and I was like, “Stevie? Um, this is Cher.” “Hi, Cher.” “Well, Stevie, uh, I did your song but there are parts in it that I can’t do and I need you to do it.” He said, “Is it one of my songs?” And I’m like, “Yeah, of course it’s one of your songs.”

And so then he said, as we were hanging up, “Cher, you want me to play harmonica?” And I passed out. And then I ran around my room screaming and jumped on my bed, and I was screaming, “Stevie Wonder’s going to be on my album!” Over and over and over. Until I fell down dead.

I love the idea of Cher being starstruck.

It’s like, you are my Stevie Wonder right now. Yeah, but he’s a genius.

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And you mean the world to people like me who are queer. I know, and I’m so angry.

I’m so angry with America for every fucking thing — racism and anti-Semitism and being anti-LGBT. Oh, did you hear about how the Pope came out? I mean, he didn’t come out, but you know what I mean. [Laughs.] He came out with a thing where he’s recognizing the LGBT community. They can be godfathers and they can be whatever. I was so, so happy. Prejudice in this country is... I can’t find the word because I don’t know words bad enough. I mean, it could be an atomic bomb of a word. I just don’t know words bad enough to say how I feel.

I wanted to ask you about how hard this year has been for LGBTQ+ people because the community is so close to your heart. Do you know why?

Do you have any idea why?

I know you and the community go way back. ay back to 9. But it’s because we’re both outsiders. We’re all outsiders.

You’ve always felt that way about yourself? Always. And so I gravitated to these two [gay] guys and then I met my first lesbian and she was fabulous.

She was a friend of my mom’s, and then as I started to grow up, I came in contact with everybody [in the community]. I said to some guy the other day, “You’re my brother.” We’re brothers and sisters. We’re family. It came out of me, but that’s kind of the way I feel.

In a lot of ways, it feels like I was raised by my mother, but I was also raised

by Cher. Well, it doesn’t get better than that. You have two moms.

But what you’re saying about how hard things have been this year, as a gay person, it has felt particularly harsh this year. Babe, it’s been since Trump. Can I tell you a little story?

Yes, of course. I had a friend and he had a friend and she was this little girl who worked in the FBI and she infiltrated a white supremacist group. She was with them, I think, for a couple of years. She was saying they were causing a lot of trouble and she said there were so many groups in the United States. And I said, “Well, then why aren’t they doing bigger things? Why aren’t we aware of some-

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thing gigantic?” And she said, “Because they hate each other.” And then she said, “It won’t start until someone can come and unite them.” And someone did.

As the mother of a trans child, Chaz Bono, I’m wondering how you process the anti-trans hostility in this country. You know, how can you process it? I mean, it doesn’t process. It’s not like long division.

You can’t do it. You have to just be open and loving and sometimes you don’t get things right away, you know? You can’t understand things right away, but if you stay open, look, I was nervous and I was afraid, and Chaz is my child and I’m Cher and I thought, “This is going to be a major spotlight.” But Chaz is so happy and we have so much fun together. Also, I have to tell you this, and this might not be politically correct, but when you have a trans child, you know the child you had, but you don’t know the new child.

There’s a big difference. But the person is the same. But Chaz has different feelings about things, you know? Like, Chaz comes from a guy’s point of view.

What would you tell people who struggle to understand or accept trans people? I would tell them if I woke up tomorrow and I was a guy, I would just lose my mind. [Laughs.] And that’s what I would tell people: “What if you woke up tomorrow and you were in the wrong body?”

Everyone can understand that. It’s like, if you woke up tomorrow and you were a different sex but you had no control, you would just want to kill yourself.

There’s been so many attacks on drag queens in the country, and I’m thinking about all the Cher drag queens when I ask this next question. But what are your thoughts on how conservatives think that drag queens are trying to groom children? Oh my god, it’s fucking insane, OK? Like, you’re just going to pull that out of you know where? I think Democrats, they’ve got to get some show business. They’ve got to get something that’s not dry, because they don’t really understand how to sell it. I mean, I think Joe’s doing a great job. Not in everything. I don’t agree with him on a few things, but he’s done a lot of good, and the thing is, no matter how bad any other candidate would be, it couldn’t touch the hem of Trump’s garment with

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how horrible he is. We can’t use that as an idea because that has a religious connotation and I just forgot. I just meant no one is as bad as he is. I can’t fathom what it would be like to be him.

While we’re talking about drag, a few years ago, you teased that you would consider going on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” but you still haven’t been on. But you know what? I don’t know why, and I love him.

He’s the nicest person — really, really nice, and I’m not just saying it. I really don’t know why. I just feel like the bar would be so high that I just don’t know.

What do you mean the bar would be so high? I mean, I’d have to go on and be I don’t even know what. I’d have to be 10 feet taller than I am.

Do you, though? You just have to be Cher, right? Yeah, but you know those guys; they’re so tall, so they make you look like a dumpy little thump.

And that’s not what you want to get yourself into? [Laughs.] No! Is that really why you’re avoiding it? I’m never going to be that. I exaggerate; it was just the biggest exaggeration I could come up with off the top of my head.

Sounds like you’d still be down for it. Yeah.

You and Chaz are co-producing a horror film together called “Little Bites.”

What can you say about that? I had my hand over one eye and was just kind of squinting because it was too scary. I don’t really like scary films.

What is it like to work with Chaz? Chaz is really easygoing. And also, I stay out of it. It’s not my gig. I’m helping.

“Burlesque” is getting the musical treatment, with Christina Aguilera co-producing.

Are you involved in that? They asked me if I would have something to do with it but I don’t know. I really don’t know how I feel about it, you know? I mean, it’s not negative. It’s just questioning.

What about it are you questioning? I don’t know if I should be involved. Does it make sense? What kind of power do you have? I mean, my experience with my musical [“The Cher Show”] was a nightmare.

“Burlesque” has embedded itself in the queer community in a way you probably didn’t

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34 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | Q&A

expect it to when that movie was first released. Are you kidding me? Come on.

Ha! OK, fair point. You knew exactly who you were making that movie for. Come on, babe, don’t try to pull that old chestnut.

Well, then I should say new generations of queers are discovering what I knew was gay when I first saw it. It really was a good film; it was just too long. It needed better editing.

Getting back to “Christmas” and your collabs with Cyndi, when did you know that you both stood for the same things when it came to LGBTQ+ rights and equality? Is there a history there? I mean, I know there must be. Of course there is, but the thing about being close with the community is that you kind of just are close. We could talk about some specific thing, a problem or a good thing or whatever. But we just know who we are, you know?

We don’t sit around and talk about it.

Because I know who she is, I know how she feels. So no, we didn’t. It just is.

When two of our gay icons come together, the gay fantasy is that you are talking about us all the time. Of course! I think everyone’s talking about me all the time too! No, I don’t. I really don’t. [Laughs.]

But I don’t know what your interior life is like with Cyndi Lauper. No, but it’s really good. We’ve had great times and I respect her so much and she’s so funny and she’s so crazy. We’re a good couple.

It’s good to have you two singing together on this album. Yeah, it was really great. And Darlene, how great is that? That history is crazy. When I was 17, I did background on that song.

Now we’re doing it together. And I called her and went, “I’m not going to do this without you. It wouldn’t be right.” And she said, “Oh, I’ll be there.”

“Drop Top Sleigh Ride” could be considered camp, and so could the album’s cover. Do you still enjoy leaning into the campiness of being Cher? Well, I don’t consider it camp. I consider it a really good song.

This is what I feel about the album: I just picked songs, and when they were all done, I thought, “Oh my god, do these guys go together? How is this going to launch?” And then, everybody around me loved it so much but then I

Qsaltlake.com |

thought, “But what if people don’t like it because it’s not what they expect and it goes from one place to another place and I made a wrong decision?” That was worrying me for a while. And then I thought, “Well, there’s nothing I can do about it now.” I did what I wanted to do. That’s why I never did a Christmas album, because I wanted to just take it and make it and master it and hand it in.

And that’s what you did here? Yeah.

Let’s acknowledge the 25th anniversary of “Believe” this year. Oh, do we have to? [Rosenberg chimes in: “Put a muzzle on her.”] I mean, do you know how fast 25 years has gone? Dude. It’s crazy. Also, I was talking downstairs about this: I wrote a part of that song, and I didn’t take credit for it because I was so stupid.

That song was a monster. It was like… I don’t even know what. That song was like Trump in the beginning; it was horrible.

What I thought, too, about the song is that a chick can be upset and crazy over her relationship falling apart, but she can only do it for the first verse. So I’m sitting in the bathtub and I got my toe stuck in the faucet, and all of a sudden, what came to my mind was, “I’ve had time to think it through, and maybe I’m too good for you.” And Jennifer [Ruiz, Cher’s longtime personal assistant] said, “Oh my god, that’s perfect.” And then she said, “You will get a writers [credit].” And I went, “No, no, I just want to do it for the home team.” And of course, I was an idiot.

So you’re kicking yourself, as you should, right? Yeah, but you know why? It was because it was so horrible. It was such an awful time. I was so depressed. I got into a fight, the only fight I’ve ever gotten into with Mark [Taylor, the producer]. And I just felt like such a loser because I couldn’t get it better. That’s why I walked out. I just couldn’t make it better because the verses were not interesting. So then the whole thing happened with the pitch machine.

I didn’t know that you wrote that line in “Believe.” I guess not a lot of people would, because it’s uncredited. Nobody does except my immediate friends. But I didn’t think I was going to be here this long. I’m upset about it in a girl way, you know? I didn’t want to be 25 years older in a minute. I turn around and I’m 25 years older.

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Do you ever consider touring again, or are those days really long gone? We were just downstairs dancing and talking about it. I would have to change the show somewhat because I just can’t run around constantly and do it. I mean, today we were dancing and it was like, “Whoa, what happened here?” So I couldn’t do the exact same show, so I don’t know how it would be received.

I mean, I still can sing. I sing well.

How about something more intimate?

Cher in a chair. Well, that’s what my sister said. She said, “You could just tell stories about your life.” You know, all of the monologues I make up myself. I want to do it. I’m a professional and I want to be really, really, really good, because I think I have been.

I heard you were close to finishing your memoir. What’s the process for you in writing your memoir? Is it hard to go back through some moments in your life? You know what I have to do? I have to go back. I was thinking about this the other day. Or no, I thought about it months ago. But I was thinking, “You didn’t tell enough. You played this too safe. You’ve got to put your ass more on the line and let the chips fall where they may.” How is that for all the stupid, cliché sayings that I can put into one sentence? [Laughs.]

Is that because you learned that Barbra Streisand’s memoir is over 900 pages long? [Laughs.] No. But do you know what it’s like? It’s like two of the film scripts couldn’t be done because everyone says you’ve lived too long and done too much. Sorry. [Spoken unapologetically.]

But it’s true. It’s hard to get all my life in a book unless I came out with volumes, like the encyclopedia. Not that anyone knows what that is anymore. It is really, really a lot. I’m struggling. I want to do a better job than I did. I want to do a better job. I want to pick up my big girl G-string and just do a better job.

When do you think we’ll have the book? I don’t know, babe. Don’t ask. Well, you just did, but don’t ask me again. 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.

January, 2024 |

ISSUE 355

| Qsaltlake.com

NEWS | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 35

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Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 355 |

January, 2024

live!

Party here, party there, party everywhere And movies, movies, and yet more movies. And Matt Bomer.

BY BLAIR HOWELL

NEW YEAR NIGHT When straights are also late-night carousers. Events include “22nd Annual New Year’s Eve Bash,” with confetti and silly string, at Club Try-Angles; “Great Gatsby Gala” hosted by Scarlett Kiss at Club Verse; “House Party” hosted by Sequoia at Blue Gene’s; “Karaoke and Gay Bingo in Neon” at Milk+; “Ring in the New Year on the Right Note” with Utah Symphony at Abravanel Hall; “Gold and Glitter Gala” at The Leonardo.

WHITE NIGHT Utah Arts Alliance’s White Party is rhinestone rodeo themed.  Shops at South Town, Feb. 17, 2024 LGBT IN WHITE Escape the snow with 30,000 new friends at White Party Palm Springs, the largest — and most celebrated — gay circuit party.  March 29-30, 2024; also White Party San Francisco, Feb. 3, 2024; and save the date, queer women, for Club Skirts’ The Dinah Palm Springs, Sept. 25–29, 2024 BIG SCREEN Matt Bomer is one of Leonard Bernstein’s lovers, and Carey Mulligan plays his wife Felicia Montealegre in Maestro with Bradley Cooper as Lenny. “If your peace of mind, your health, your whole nervous system depend on a certain sexual pattern, what can you do?” Montealegre wrote to Bernstein.  Theaters, now, and Netflix, Dec. 30 All of Us Strangers, helmed by gay director Andrew Haigh, tells the story of a Londoner, Andrew Scott, who begins a relationship with a mysterious man, Paul Mescal, and meets ghosts of his dead parents, Claire Foy and Jamie Bell. (Billy Elliot is now a father?)  Theaters, now Divorcing husbands fight over the custody of their 8-year-old in Our Son. Yes, it

parallels 1978’s Kramer vs. Kramer, but now with Billy Porter and Luke Evans!  Theaters and VOD, now Now a movie musical, loser: Mean

Girls, starring Reneé Rapp, reprising her Broadway role. “I am a bisexual princess, so everyone is my type,” Reneé has said.  Theaters, Jan. 12, 2024

And just like that… a George Santos movie

BY ROMEO SAN VICENTE

You knew a George Santos movie was coming. Every scandalous public figure is commemorated with their own rippedfrom-the-headlines media content. And now that Santos has been expelled from Congress and Bowen Yang has made wonderful comedy as the bizarre queer conservative in sketches on “SNL,” a movie was as inevitable as former Trump administration lackeys turning up on “Dancing with the Stars.” HBO Films has optioned the rights to Mark Chiusano’s new book, “The Fabulist: The Lying, Hustling, Grifting, Stealing, and Very American Legend of George Santos,” and “Veep” and “Succession” executive producer Frank Rich. In other words, the project

is in the capable hands of creatives who know the insanity of politics and power.

Now, who’ll play this wild man? We have an idea: Harvey Guillén from the FX vampire comedy “What We Do in the Shadows.” He’s here, he’s queer, he’s ready.

‘Bottoms’ star Ayo Edebiri’s ‘Opus’ Young comic actor Ayo Edebiri might have won your heart for her Emmy-nominated performance on “The Bear,” but her queer icon status has already been solidly confirmed by this summer’s raunchy, raucous, lesbian fight club comedy “Bottoms.” And for her next film she’ll appear alongside “Billions” star John Malkovich in the A24 horror film “Opus” from first time feature writer-director Mark Anthony Green.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WHITE PARTY PALM SPRINGS

January, 2024 | ISSUE 355 |

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Qsaltlake.com

the bookworm sez REVIEW BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER

My Name is Barbra

BY BARBRA STREISAND C.2023, VIKING, $47, 970 PAGES

You spent hours online and on the phone, trying to get tickets.

There was no way you were gonna miss this performance. You’ve loved her since forever, maybe longer, and every minute spent in a virtual line will be worth it to see her live.

People who know you are surprised; they’d expect this kind of behavior for a modern-day star but no. If they read “My Name is Barbra”

by Barbra Streisand, they’d understand.

She almost needs no introduction now.

And yet, Streisand struggled for most of her childhood to get the attention she craved. She was her parents’ second child but she barely knew her father; he died when she was a toddler and she always wondered what might’ve been, had he lived. She had a rough relationship with her mother, in part because Streisand wanted demonstrations of love that her mother couldn’t give, and in part because of her stepfather, who once called Streisand “ugly.”

If any of this led to her dramatic flair as a child, who would blame her?

If it did, she turned it into something good. She acted as her own clothing designer, attended acting classes in Manhattan as a teenager and worked as a singer at a nightclub for awhile

q scopes JANUARY

BY SAM KELLEY-MILLS

ARIES March 20—April 19

A failure in communication with a friend can cause some problems. Remember that we are all human, and the failings of others are mistakes, not assaults. More likely than not, a friend’s carefree attitude is simply their way of dealing with their problems. Take a moment to do the same and simply chill out for a bit.

TAURUS Apr 20—May 20

Feeling that things could be going better right now? Likely, this feeling comes from boredom rather than failure. There is always a higher conquest and a goal to accomplish, but only because you want more than you have. Look for some new adventures, but don’t lose sight of how good things are right now either

GEMINI May 21—June 20

Running away from a problem will make it worse. Find creative solutions, and everything will turn out for the best. Inspiration will flow from meeting with a good friend or lover.

The longer you wait to take action,

the worse the overall results could be.

Get it over and done with. Spend time working on the things that matter.

CANCER June 21—July 22

Get used to having your way when things are going well, but don’t lose a sense of objectivity.

A hard time is always possible, and leading astray is a real possibility if consideration for the absurd is lost. Have a wild time and get your head clear and in the right place. Only then will the outside stimuli become null and void.

LEO July 23—August 22

before making a minor splash. She hustled, appearing on TV for the first time in the spring of 1961, which led to more club appearances, then a part in “a major Broadway show” before her star went stratospheric and the rest is show-biz history.

The first good news about “My Name is Barbra” is that it’s eminently readable. It’s written in a conversational tone that feels right and not forced, with a good deal of name-dropping that’s mostly relevant, not overly gratuitous or stiflingly excessive.

Author Barbra Streisand deals quite openly with rumors that have plagued her for decades – including “The Streisand Effect” and acceptance of her nose – and she does it with surprising candidness that readers will embrace. She’s a perfectionist, not a diva, as she seems to stress, and so the latter peeks out very rarely and what little bragging is in here is justified. In short, in the category of celebrity-autobio, this book is different, in a good way.

Fans will find other reasons to love it.

Streisand dishes, not just on herself but on her leading men, former husbands, writers, directors, co-stars, haters in the industries, and people who displeased her and found themselves suddenly on the outside of the inner-circle. She writes about her activism. Streisand openly includes bits of reviews that would hurt a lesser mortal, but she seems to laugh those critics off. Best of all, she drops tiny breadcrumbs about her life here and there for fans to root out.

That minutiae might as well have been gold.

Though this almost-1000-page book could have been cut by a quarter and not have suffered in the least, it’s worth hauling home. For any fan, old or new, “My Name is Barbra” is a book you’ll be happy to spend hours with. Q perceptions. Expand your mind and let it go of preconceptions.

LIBRA Sept 23—October 22

There is plenty of room at the table for extra guests, so welcome those who show respect and courtesy. Not everyone is worth your time, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t worth to be found.

Keep learning as much as you can about the people you know, and find a sense of place that has been recently absent. Life is complex.

SCORPIO Oct 23—Nov 21

Don’t let your voice go unheard. But don’t be so loud that you can’t hear others. A workplace conflict can be avoided if fairness in communication can be followed. Obtain something valuable and don’t let it go until it is no longer useful. Life is all about gaining and giving up. Find balance, and validation will always follow.

The quality of a new toy will amaze you beyond belief. Don’t worry if others are jealous, but don’t share with those who are simply looking to take advantage. There is no need to look too deep into a personal situation that has been causing a rift in your belief system. Instead, prioritize and focus on the things you enjoy now.

VIRGO August 23—Sep 2

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22—December 20

A vision of beauty has become the standard for potential lovers, but don’t let it hold you back from seeing others on their own terms. Don’t lose the human element of a personal relationship, but instead realize that not all difficulties are challenges, but simply different

Be wise and advise a friend who is looking for comfort. The consequence for turning away could be dire, so be the friend you know you can be. There is a question in your heart regarding the future of a personal relationship with a family member. Keep-

ing interactions light and united will become a defining trait in all you do.

CAPRICORN Dec 21—Jan 19

The need to flex the muscle of authority could be a turn-off to others. Don’t be so impressed by your accomplishments that it undermines your efforts to gain respect. A friend or lover is finding an obsession rather weary, but don’t let this get you down.

Find satisfaction through casual fun and lay off the need to prove yourself.

AQUARIUS Jan 20—Feb 18

Trying nothing is always better than doing something you don’t feel good about. It might be prudent to let the good times come to you and have faith that what you need isn’t far off. The passive way feels good for a while, so rest up.

PISCES Feb 19—Mar 19

A fellowship of friends and lovers is going to lead to nice times. Enjoy what you can and do your best to stay safe. There could be drama, but that is to be expected. No one is trying to bring you down despite some suggestions. Allow good feelings to be channeled into the work you are doing. It never hurts to feel inspired. Q

38 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | COMICS

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January, 2024

We Are All One

46 NG: Old Greek jars 12 NG: Dangerous food preservative 51 South Beach activity ACROSS 53 “Riverfinger Women” 13 NG: Long distance company, for short 1 Biters of Caesar’s writer Dykewomon 21 Saint-Saen’s “___ girlfriend 54 End of the quote Macabre” 5 NG: Get wind of 58 Perineum, in slang 22 NG: Unknown 9 “Come Back, Little 61 NG: Track shape degree ___” 62 Nuts and bolts 25 By songwriter Holly?

14 French family 63 NG: Poetry muse 26 Express pleasure member 64 Barneys event orally 15 Aida solo 65 Pick up 27 NG: Immigrant’s 16 Eminem’s “___ Mile” 66 Transportation for subj.

17 Achilles’ weak spot Liberace and Elton 29 NG: Average name 18 NG: Omar’s “Mod 67 “Of ___ I Sing” Squad” character 68 NG: Cube designer 30 NG: Peace Nobelist Wiesel 19 Pester, as Albert to Rubik 31 Queer photographer Armand DOWN Grace 20 More of a Bayard 1 Sap suckers 34 Like a Muscle Mary Rustin quote that 2 NG: Deem approwho does sit-ups begins in the title priate 36 Shirley MacLaine’s la 23 Her funeral was in a Douce role recent “The Crown” 3 Like the beginning of “GWTW” 37 Shirts that say “Hate 24 Queer, nongayly 4 NG: One-named is not a family 28 Like Robinson CruTejano singer value,” e.g. soe on the island 5 Prop for “Talking to 38 NG: Enter 32 NG: Support group My Angel”?

39 Cut antithesis 6 Sinead O’Connor’s 40 NG: Anesthesia of 33 Bottoms, to loafers country old 35 NG: Icy pellets 7 NG: Isn’t informal 41 NG: Lobster eater’s 36 More of the quote 48 Tavern with naked 8 They hold balls in wear 41 NG: City north of pool halls 44 NG: Says “I agree” Anaheim dancers?

9 Woman of La Mancha 45 “Unhappily Ever 42 George, who was 49 Prop for “I have a After” actor 10 Hero of a LongfelMary Ann headache tonight ...”

47 NG: “Ripe” stage 43 Queen Elizabeth II low poem of life portrayer Staunton 11 It gets laid only once 50 NG: Refuses PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ON PAGE 43

52 Hamlet’s father, e.g.

55 Cole Porter’s “Well, Did You ___” 56 Hearty partner 57 NG: Toward shelter

58 ___ Aviv 59 Paul Newman role in “Exodus” 60 Helen Reddy’s “___ Woman”

January, 2024 | ISSUE 355 |

A&E | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 39

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40 | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | QMMUNITY

Q mmunity groups BUSINESS

LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapists Guild  lgbtqtherapists.com * jim@lgbtqtherapists.com Utah LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce  utahlgbtqchamber.com * info@utahgaychamber.com Utah Independent Business Coalition  utahindependentbusiness.org 801-879-4928 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

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

Planned Parenthood  bit.ly/ppauslchiv 654 S 900 E 801-322-5571 Salt Lake County Health Dept HIV/STD Clinic 610 S 200 E, 2nd Floor Walk-ins M—F 8a—5p Appts 385-468-4242 UAF Legacy Health  utahaids.org 150 S 1000 E 801-487-2323 Weber-Morgan Health Mon., Weds 1-4:30p 477 23rd St, Ogden Appt 801-399-7250

Qsaltlake.com | ISSUE 355 |

HOMELESS SVCS

SOCIAL

VOA Homeless Youth Resource Ctr, ages 15—21 880 S 400 W 801-364-0744

Alternative Garden Club  utahagc.org/clubs/ altgardenclub/

LEGAL

Rainbow Law Free Clinic 2nd Weds 6—7:30pm Utah Pride Ctr probono@law.utah.edu POLITICAL

Equality Utah  equalityutah.org * info@equalityutah.org 376 E 400 S 801-355-3479 Utah Libertarian Party 129 E 13800 S #B2-364 libertarianutah.org 866-511-UTLP Utah Stonewall Democrats  utahstonewalldemocrats.org  fb.me/ utahstonewalldems RELIGIOUS

First Baptist Church  firstbaptist-slc.org 11a Sundays 777 S 1300 E 801-582-4921 Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church 10:30a Sunday worship 175 S 700 E 801-328-0521  mttaborslc.org Sacred Light of Christ  slcchurch.org 823 S 600 E 801-595-0052 11a Sundays

1 to 5 Club (bisexual)  facebook.com/ groups/1to5clubutah 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 OWLS of Utah (Older, Wiser, Lesbian Sisters)  bit.ly/owlsutah qVinum Wine Tasting  qvinum.com Seniors Out and Proud  fb.me/soaputah  info@soaputah.org 801-856-4255 Temple Squares Square Dance Club  templesquares.org 801-449-1293 Utah Bears  utahbears.com  fb.me/utahbears  info@utahbears.com 6p Weds SL Coffee Break, 430 E 400 S Utah Male Naturists  umen.org  fb.me/utahmalenaturists  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  fb.me/UtahGayFootballLeague Venture Out Utah  facebook.com/groups/ Venture.OUT.Utah SUPPORT

Alcoholics Anonymous 801-484-7871  utahaa.org LGBT meetings: Sun. 3p Acceptance Group, All Saints Episcopal Church, 1710 Foothill Dr Tues. 7p Live & Let Live, Mt Tabor Lutheran, 175 S 700 E Wed. 7p Sober Today, 1159 30th St , Ogden

January, 2024

Wed. 7p Bountiful Men’s Group, Am. Baptist Btfl Church, 1915 Orchard Dr, Btfl Fri. 7p Stonewall Group, Mt Tabor Lutheran, 175 S 700 E Crystal Meth Anon  crystalmeth.org USARA, 180 E 2100 S Clean, Sober & Proud Sun. 1:30pm Leather Fetish & Kink Fri. 8:30pm Genderbands

Gay-Straight Alliance Network  gsanetwork.org

fb.me/genderbands

USGA at BYU  usgabyu.com  fb.me/UsgaAtByu

 genderbands.org

LifeRing Secular Recovery 801-608-8146  liferingutah.org Weds. 7pm, How was your week? First Baptist Church, 777 S 1300 E Sat. 11am, How was your week? First Baptist Church, 777 S 1300 E LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapists Guild  lgbtqtherapists.com * robin@lgbtqtherapists.com YOUTH/COLLEGE

Encircle LGBTQ Family and Youth Resource Ctr  encircletogether.org fb.me/encircletogether 91 W 200 S, Provo, 190 S 100 E, St. George 331 S 600 E, SLC

OUT Foundation BYU  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, M-F, 8a-5p 801-587-7973

Utah State Univ.

Inclusion Ctr  usu.edu/inclusion/ Utah Valley Univ Spectrum  linktr.ee/spectrumqsa  uvu.edu/lgbtq/ * lgbt@uvu.edu 801-863-8885 Liberal Arts, Rm 126 Weber State University LGBT Resource Center  weber.edu/ lgbtresourcecenter Shepherd Union Suite 323 Dept. 2117 801-626-7271 Westminster Student Diversity Center Bassis 105, M-F 8a-5p  bit.ly/westdiversity

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January, 2024 | ISSUE 355 |

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QMMUNITY | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 41

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OPEN FOR LIMITED PROGRAMMING ADULT & SENIOR PROGRAMS IS OPEN Gay Men’s Peer Support Group FOR LIMITED Tuesdays, 6:30–8:30pm Pride In Recovery (LGBTQ+ PROGRAMMING Narcotics Anonymous)

COMMUNITY Get Connected to Health Insurance Tuesdays, 4–6pm The Pastor is In 1st and 3rd Tuesday, 6–8pm UPC Drop-In Hours Tues, Weds, Thurs, 4–8pm

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January, 2024

she would publicly come out as transgender and become a powerful advocate. She served as director of communications for the Ms. Foundation for Women; as executive editor of Out magazine, where she started the award-winning Trans Obituaries Project, and as a national organizer for the Transgender Law Center. She writes about the reality of working in those “lofty” positions as a Black trans woman — experiences she says cast light on how progressive spaces can still contain systems of oppression. Willis is currently an executive producer for iHeartMedia’s LGBTQ+ Outspoken Podcast Network.

The activist recently discussed the new book, her continued advocacy and her thoughts about the current state of trans discrimination.

Black trans activist Raquel Willis on why stories like hers need to be heard ‘The Risk It Takes to Bloom’ author on living a life of ‘discomfort’ and how she hopes to change that for others

BY SARAH BRICKER HUNT

When

Raquel Willis took the stage at the National Women’s March in Washington, D.C. the day after Trump’s inauguration in January 2017, with beaming defiance and fierce resolve, she didn’t sidestep the controversial way trans women had been sidelined from the planning of the momentous occasion. “Although I’m glad to be here now, it’s disheartening that women like me were an afterthought in the initial planning of this march,” she remarked. “Many of us had to stand a little taller to be heard, and that exclusion is nothing new.”

Willis has yet to let up the pressure

on trans-exclusionary spaces and people since that cold winter day almost seven years ago. The Augusta, Georgia native details her life story and her ceaseless passion for advocacy in a candid new memoir, “The Risk It Takes to Bloom,” out now. Raised Catholic in a Black Southern family, Willis explains how the death of her father when she was 19 contributed to years of grief, and ultimately, epiphanies about what she was meant to do with her life — how she began to truly bloom as a whole person.

Willis worked as a journalist during the early part of the Black Lives Matter movement, hiding her identity while working as a news reporter. Over time,

You write about your advocacy work during a pivotal time, where you started down this path during the Obama era, and then along came Trump and an abrupt anti-LGBTQ+ shift, politically and socially. I would say things have certainly required us to have a bit more grace and nuance. And I don’t necessarily mean that for our political figures — they are who they are; that is what that is. But I think living through the Trump era and being in the space where we are now, there’s a lot of grace that I’ve had to have for myself around being able to hold those things that I have anxieties or insecurities about and then also being able to kind of push forward and also draw on my power.

We’re living in a time of anti-trans discrimination, where being known makes us a target. I think many in the trans community want to be seen, but I think at this time, it’s also at what cost? What are we willing to give up? What kind of risk, speaking to the title of the book, are we willing to take to be seen or to be heard?

We often have these kind of black and white ideas about which spaces are conservative and which spaces are progressive. And one thing that you will quickly realize, if you’re on the margins within the margins, is that some of the spaces that we think may be the most progressive also have systems of oppression.

You touched on this in your speech at the Women’s March, before it was cut short.

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Yes, this was seen as this kind of tentpole feminist moment, but what did that mean for me as someone expecting that space to value my transness, to value my queerness in the same way that it was valuing this kind of feminist element of my activism?

And then later, for instance, I write about working at the Transgender Law Center. Working at this nonprofit that in many ways was the Holy Grail of where you would want to work as an empowered trans person. But again, still dealing with systems of oppression around anti-Blackness or dealing with misogynoir and maybe not hearing or maybe not experiencing being heard because of how hierarchy, and even capitalism, still kind of rips apart these progressive spaces on the margins at Out magazine.

I don’t think that we have enough stories where it’s a Black trans woman talking about her experience with her career, navigating the workplace in this way and also trying to maintain her values and dignity in those places. I also think about so many of the folks who had their first major social justice awakening during that summer of 2020 in the aftermath of the murders of George Floyd or Breonna Taylor and so many others. We’re in this time where we’re holding all of these truths and yearnings and desires and embodiments at once.

It’s hard to understand that your perspective may just be one perspective.

Usually, it’s just one perspective and not the only one, and unfortunately, no matter how we come to our perspective, we still have to reckon with the fact that there are any number of them out there, especially if we’re trying to work with others to create some kind of pathway to collective liberation.

No one wants to feel uncomfortable, but sometimes that’s what it takes, basically? I think so much of the experience of folks on the margins is about that discomfort around being a trans person.

My whole life has been about discomfort and not necessarily in the way that I think the average person may think.

So many folks paint the experience of being non-conforming or queer as some kind of internal discomfort. It’s

often, in my experience, not been so much about that internal discomfort.

I think I’ve always had a feeling that I will be able to tease out whatever’s happening internally in due time if I’m given the space and grace to, but it’s that external discomfort that has often eaten up so much of my energy.

I dealt with peers at a young age who didn’t understand why I was so feminine or the discomfort externally that I felt for my dad, who didn’t understand who I was in so many different ways, or the discomfort I felt working, or when I was a student at the University of Georgia.

Luckily, I found some LGBTQ+ community there, but I was still a Black student at a predominantly white institution and I was still the only openly trans woman student in that context in 2012, 2013.

So it’s that discomfort in those spaces or the discomfort of going to Out magazine and being the first trans woman to hold a leadership position at that publication. It has been a series of discomforts in this life of mine, but I think what I’ve learned from that is that those are opportunities to evolve not only for me but for the environment to evolve for the folks around me who are invested in something tangible and different.

Have you ever needed to compartmentalize some of this external pressure where people are constantly pointing out that you’re the first “this” or “that” when you’re really just trying to do your job some days? I think at

this point in my career, it can be comforting to understand the history, particularly trans history, and to know that there have been others who came before me.

Maybe not exactly the same with the exact same credentials, but there have been trans storytellers before me. There have been trans folks trying to carve out a space in media before me. And so I can take comfort in knowing that wittingly or unwittingly, they did leave some bit of a broken pathway for me.

My hope is that whatever space I enter, I am carving out a container for the next folks to not have to check off as many boxes. My hope is to make it smoother for the next people. But also, everyone is carrying some kind of anxiety. It may seem more obvious about what mine may be, as a Black trans woman, but it doesn’t do me any favors to forget that this white woman next to me has some anxieties, too, and probably some very similar ones.

This dude over here has some anxieties, the straight person and the cisgender person. We have opportunities for connection by naming the insecurities, the anxieties and the awkwardnesses that exists, so we can be on the same page.

Are you noticing upcoming generations and their parents embracing topics like gender diversity and intersectionality? It’s so interesting for me to see more and more parents who have young trans or nonconforming or queer or nonbinary people in their lives. And it’s a beautiful thing that these shifts are happening, which is exactly why we see such dogged political attacks in this moment.

One of the throughlines for me and my activism work has been paying close attention to deaths that have happened, particularly in the trans community, and trying to turn the feelings those moments have elicited into activation. It was the suicide of 17-year-old Leelah Alcorn back in 2015 that really inspired me to speak up publicly for the first time about my transness because in my first role as a newspaper reporter in small-town Georgia, I was in the closet as a trans woman.

I was not out professionally, and that was out of fear of losing my chance at a livelihood or a chance at starting a career.

And so when I was in my second job

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in Atlanta, Leelah’s death really pushed me to speak up, and I made this YouTube video, just talking about how it had impacted me. [After the BBC picked up the story], I had to come out to my co-workers, and luckily I was in a workplace that found that to be an empowering thing for me to do, but that was a shift.

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You went on to focus much of your activism on the issue of violence against trans women of color. Why did you start the Trans Obituaries Project? The Trans Obituaries project that I created in Out magazine was an opportunity for me to not only talk about this epidemic of violence but to also bring in a more investigative element like delving into the story of a 27-year-old Afro-Latina woman who died in Riker’s custody named Layleen Polanco in 2019. Her story brought a different dynamic around someone who died in state custody and who was a sex worker who dealt with mental illness, who had epilepsy and was in ballroom culture in the House of Extravaganza. And so, she had all of these elements related to her whole life. I think that’s been at the heart of talking about this epidemic of violence for me — to get folks to remember that these people lived before they were taken.

I think we all kind of carry the lives of folks who have been taken, whether we were related to them, whether they were just in our community, or whether they shared some element of our identity or our experience. And I do feel like we have the opportunity to not just wallow in the grief and the mourning but to actually use whatever lane we’re in to try and make things better so that doesn’t happen again.

If you’re in storytelling, you have the opportunity to uncover those stories or the dynamics that make those stories occur. If we’re talking about education, you’re in the educational system. You have to find a way to make sure that students don’t feel the isolation that maybe someone like Leelah felt. There’s so many opportunities here for that radical change. But we have to be endlessly curious and endlessly creative about how we can make those radical changes in our lives. Q Sarah Bricker Hunt, a proud Eastern Michigan University alum and the managing editor for Pride Source/Between The Lines, believes in the power of intentional journalism focused on people building their communities through everyday acts of love and service.

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the perils of petunia pap smear

A tale from The Big Gay Fun Bus

BY PETUNIA PAP SMEAR

The road

to Wendover is fraught with danger and excitement. If you’ve ever driven across the salt flats to get to the “forbidden pleasures” of the casinos in West Wendover, Nevada, you know that it can be a long, boring, and tedious trip. As a point of reference, it took the infamous ill-fated Donner party a whole five days to cross the salt flats.

In the process, several wagons had to be abandoned, contributing to their becoming stranded by snow in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Fifty years later, as a publicity stunt, a bicyclist crossed the flats in twenty-two hours.

The modern freeway stretching across the salt flats is about 40 miles long, as flat as a pancake or as smooth as my ass before cellulite, and as straight as an arrow. It is said that the area is so flat that you can actually see the curvature of the Earth. I tend not to believe this last one, as I have never been able to see it, but then again, my breasticles always seem to be getting in the way of the view.

So, a few years ago, the very safety conscious and enterprising Michael Aaron, always on the lookout for a great party, organized The Big Gay Fun Bus to help alleviate the danger and tediousness of trekking across the Salt Flats. I am so very lucky for the past decade or so to have been able to help host The Big Gay Fun Bus to Wendover. The Big Gay Fun Bus is a party on wheels. Including Jello shots, bingo, scouting for hot truckers, drinking games and other raucous revelry.

On one particular trip, I decided that it would be extra fun for me to wear one of those camelbak hydration backpacks like serious hikers wear and fill it with alcohol. I hid the backpack under my caftan and the drinking hose within my right breasticle so that I could then offer to “breastfeed” the riders on the bus. As we gathered in the Club TryAngles parking lot preparing to board the busses, I was overjoyed to see that a group of suitably cute twinks and stunningly

massive hunks were assembled, preparing for a day of debauchery. As we mingled in the parking lot, I overheard many excited conversations. “Will I win fabulous bingo prizes on the bus? I feel lucky today! Do you think I might get drunk from the Jello shots on the bus? Can I score a hottie in the restroom?” There arose many squeals of excitement, as we boarded the bus and pulled away from the curb to begin our escapade, while singing “The wheels on the bus go round and round…

All the way to Wendoverrrrrrrrrrr” As a bingo host on the bus, I am required to make many trips to the rear of the bus, to help serve the Jello shots, pass out bingo cards and collect garbage.

I made my inaugural foray down the aisle to greet the assembled masses and to scout out the cutest boys upon whose laps I could fall as I pretended to lose my balance. On my second trip down the aisle, I decided it was time to offer some “breasticle fresh” libations to the parched and thirsty riders. One after another, the lips of anxious riders latched onto my breasticle much like a starving baby finding their mother’s boobies for the first time. After the second person, I realized that when they were latched on, I was unable to pull away, thus causing a great delay in my ability to “service” the whole bus. I just gave up on being able to call a bingo game and left that task to the other queens. After “serving” the fifth person, it became apparent to me that I had not properly thought this whole operation through, and I needed some way to sanitize my nipple between suckers. So, I grabbed a wet wipe out of my purse and gave it a wipe down between guzzlers.

All was going well, until I came to a young, innocent and cute twink, we’ll call him John, who had just barely had his twenty first birthday, and now was able to imbibe legally for the very first time. John seemed to latch on with excess gusto and was sucking with enough force to make any top-of-the-line Hoover blush with envy. Remember, nothing sucks

like Electrolux or this guy. After what I thought was a sufficient time for him to get a nice shot, I attempted to pull away, only to be suddenly engulfed as John’s arms quickly reached out to envelope my waist and prevent my departure. He was hugging me tighter than a straight mans butt cheeks in a prison shower.

It might be said that this was a hug that launched a thousand sips. I looked down at his innocent cherubic face as he continued to guzzle. The Camelbak held three liters of alcohol. And during John’s sucking session, I could actually feel it becoming lighter. I could also see that John was becoming too inebriated to be able to walk straight. Such is the power of the breasticle! The thought crossed my mind that this was just SICK AND WRONG, and too twisted even for me, and that’s coming from a queen that packs a vibrating “testicle tester” with spinning lights in her purse.

This story leaves us with several important questions: 1. How long it would take me to cross the salt flats on my mobility scooter?

2. Should I have watered down the alcohol in my breasticle?

3. Do you think I should install an alcohol meter for my breasticle?

4. Could I be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a twink?

5. Is this where the term “suckers” comes from?

6. Is there a market for slightly used camebaks?

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

Molly Mears, MD

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