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, Justin Utley, JoSelle Vanderhooft, Ben Williams, D’Anne Witkowski
dIstrIbUtIon Roger Cox
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The top national and world news since last issue you should know
BY CRAIG OGAN
A blow against Pride celebrations
The recent U.S. federal budget agreement required a stricter interpretation of the law preventing the government from participating in “partisan” or ideological activities. Pride celebrations seem to fit that definition. The U.S. State Department canceled any official recognition of Pride celebrations worldwide, including posting the Pride flag on embassy flag poles around the world. Now, the National Park Service has decreed that Pride activities will not be welcome at NPS parks, properties, or buildings, and employees are not allowed to wear NPS uniforms in parades or marches. Hence the absence of Smokey the Bear at parades. Smokey, a bear, may appear, but he is on his own and cannot wear an official NPS jock strap or chaps. Federal employees may put Pride paraphernalia in personal workspaces. The Stonewall Inn, the holiest of holies, in New York City, is an NPS landmark. It is an exception to the “no Pride flag” rule. A transgender-inclusive “Philadelphia ” Rainbow flag was raised for Pride Month this year, and a display of Rainbow flags and the “Progressive Flag ” adorn Christopher Street Park.
A blow for Pride Celebrations
Rep. Matt Rosendale, a member of U. S. Congress from Montana, was subjected to a Pride Flag flying at Veterans Affairs facilities in his state. Rosendale is locked in a primary battle to face Montana Senator John Tester in the fall. He called on the VA to take the flag down. The VA responded, “VA facilities fly the Pride flag – which was created by an Army Veteran – as a tribute to the service and sacrifice of LGBTQ+ veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors,” said Terrence Hayes, VA press secretary. “It is our mission at VA to provide these Veterans — and all Veterans — with the world-class care and benefits they deserve in a safe, caring, and welcoming environment.”
Colorado GOP chair told to resign by other
GOPers
Dave Williams, chair of the Colorado GOP, sent an email saying among other things, “The month of June has arrived and, once again, the godless groomers in our society want to attack what is decent, holy, and righteous so they can ultimately harm our children.” He found very little support for the email, even in his own party.
The Jefferson County Republican chair called for the state chair to resign. He told a Denver news outlet, “Numerous Colorado Republican county chairs, other county party officers, members of the Colorado State Central Committee in all 64 counties, and many Republican candidates” intend to call for the resignation of the state chair.” He said rank-and-file and party leadership have “had enough and want positive leadership.” While denouncing the email, Williams was defended by the head of Colorado’s Log Cabin Republicans. Valdamar
Archuleta said, “I do not think Dave hates me because I’m gay. I don’t think that Dave is a homophobic person. What he said in that email was, but he, as a person, I don’t believe it is. He’s trying to get a reaction.”
TV series, Sally Ride
A lesbian with the “highest profile” you may never have known as a lesbian, was astronaut Sally Ride. She was a member of NASA’s astronaut class of 1978, which was the first not to be entirely made up of white men. Ride first flew the Challenger Space Shuttle in 1983 and 1984, logging 343 hours in space. She was not the first woman in space, that was Russian, Valentina Tereshkova, who orbited the Earth in 1963. A limited series, streaming movie is being made about Ride by the producers of “American Crime Story” and other productions. The role of Ride is being played by Kristen Stewart. Ride left NASA in 1987 and eventually had a 27-year relationship with professional tennis player Tam O’Shaughnessy, a fact not generally known until Ride’s obituary in 2012.
Stewart disses corporate Pride
Jon Stewart came out of retirement to do one show a week on “The Daily Show.” His satirical eye has landed on corporate sponsorship of Pride celebrations. “Pride Month is, of course, that time of year when corporations get together and financially exploit the decades-long struggle of gay people for acceptance and equality,” Stewart said in an episode where he roasted cringe-worthy Pride campaigns of several corporations. He flamed “Burger King” for its spot extolling Pride by introducing a beef patty, pickles, and other gooey condiments
mounted between either two top buns or two bottom buns. He took on Target’s hide-andseek Pride merchandising; He found fault with “Skittles” doing something with the color of the candies. “Let’s stop pretending that a corporation can even be woke or un-woke or patriotic or unpatriotic.” He said, “Let’s just let corporations live their truth as the profit-seeking, Patrick Bateman psychopaths they are.”
Potty-mouthed pope
Pope Francis has been accused for the second time of using an unfamiliar word that some are taking as a homophobic slur. Speaking to reporters he used the word, “frociaggine.” It is the same construction he used when quoting bishops telling him there was too much “frociaggine” in the Vatican. The outrage industry claimed “frociaggine” loosely translates to “faggotness.” Italians on the street reacted with, “Huh?” They would have used the real Italian word, “Omosessuale” or the phrase, “queer è gay.” The Pope is the former Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and had he said, “marina or el maricon,” he would have been understood.
Florida Transgender ‘Jim Crow’ law thrown out
A federal judge has ruled a 2023 Florida law that blocked transgender medical therapies went too far and was unconstitutional. The law barred hormonal, pharmaceutical, and surgical procedures for minor children. It also significantly restricted some treatments for adults. The law regulated the treatment of minors even with parental approval. The adult regulations disallowed treatment by all medical practitioners except from an in-person visit to a board-certi-
fied medical doctor. The judge said transgender people are constitutionally entitled to legitimate medical treatment. The Florida law was compared to Jim Crow laws regulating Black people’s access to services. State officials have said they will appeal the ruling or rewrite the laws to meet constitutional standards. Until further court or legislative action, the law is not in force.
School protection rule on hold
Federal judges in Texas and Tennessee have blocked attempts by the U. S. Department of Education to expand Title IX protections to include transgender students. The Texas judge ruled that the administration had overstepped the Supreme Court’s “Bostock” ruling by extending employment discrimination prohibi-
tions based on gender to students in educational facilities. The Texas ruling is in effect only in Texas. The Tennessee Federal judges ruled about the same way, but the ruling goes into effect for 20 Midwest and Southern States. Title IX, of the1972 Federal Education law, bans sex discrimination in education. Both rulings are in the appeal process.
The closet still kills, slowly
Col. Edward Thomas Ryan, a lifelong resident of Rensselaer, New York, was a brother, uncle, retired firefighter, and Army veteran. All his life, too, he was a closeted gay man. He revealed this fact in his obituary in the Albany Times Union, which he wrote himself. “I must tell you one more thing. I was Gay all my life: thru grade school, thru High School, thru College, thru Life.” He was
preceded in death by another local man. “He was the love of my life. We had 25 great years together.” His long-time love died in 1994, and Ryan will be buried next to him. His obit concluded, “I’m sorry for not having the courage to come out as Gay. I was afraid of being ostracized: by Family, Friends, and Co-Workers. Seeing how people like me were treated, I just could not do it. Now that my secret is known, I’ll forever Rest in Peace.”
No transgender swimmer at 2024 Olympics
The Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland denied U.S. swimmer Lia Thomas’ request for arbitration to allow her to swim in the 2024 Olympics. Judges ruled she did not have standing to bring the case against the World Aquatics governing body. World Aquat-
ics’ rules do not allow transgender women who have been through male puberty to compete in women’s races. It created an “open” category for which transgender athletes would be eligible. Thomas, who was a top women’s NCAA swimmer after not being competitive in the NCAA men’s category, claimed the WA rules announced in 2022, were invalid, unlawful, and discriminatory. Thomas was joined in her disappointment by transgender groups. “Athlete Ally” called this a “sad day for sports.” GLAAD stated, “Thomas deserves a chance to participate in her sport like all human beings who work hard and follow their dream.” Some other Olympic sports governing bodies, like football (soccer in the USA), do not have the same rules as WA and will allow transgender athletes to compete. Q
Bruce Bastian, champion for LGBTQ+ rights and tech visionary, dies at 76
News spread quickly Sunday morning, June 16, that Bruce Bastian, a tech entrepreneur and dedicated philanthropist, died in his Palm Springs home surrounded by his four sons, husband Clint Ford, and close family and friends. He was 76. A family friend noted his death was due to complications from pulmonary fibrosis.
Bastian’s contributions to the LGBTQ+ community were monumental. He was well known locally as hosting an annual dinner in Utah for the Human Rights Campaign. He joined the HRC board in 2003, and played a pivotal role in defeating the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2004, a proposed amendment to the Constitution that sought to define marriage exclusively as a union between a man and a woman. In 2008, Bastian wrote a $1 million check to the campaign against California’s Proposition 8, saying, “If people are shown the truth and have fear taken out of the equation, I believe they will stand up for what’s good and fair.”
His efforts extended beyond Washington, D.C., making significant strides in promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion in Utah. Over decades, Bastian supported numerous organizations, including Equality Utah, the Utah Pride Center, and Encircle, achieving historic victories for LGBTQ+ rights.
Tech Pioneer
In 1979, Bastian co-created a word-processing software program with Alan Ashton while still a graduate student in computer science at Brigham
Young University. This collaboration led to the founding of WordPerfect Corporation, which became a leading provider of word-processing software in the personal computer industry by the mid-1980s. Bastian served as the company’s chairman until 1994.
After leaving WordPerfect, Bastian turned his focus to philanthropy. In 1997, he established the B.W. Bastian Foundation, which supported organizations embracing the principle of equality. His philanthropic efforts extended to the arts, with significant contributions to Ballet West, the Utah Symphony and Opera, and various other arts organizations throughout Utah and the Intermountain West. Recognizing his commitment to the arts, President Barack Obama appointed Bastian to the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Arts in 2010.
Beloved Community Leader
Utah Pride Center Executive Director Chad Call wrote, “Bruce’s generosity and unwavering commitment to equality were pivotal in advancing our mission to unite, empower, and celebrate Utah’s LGBTQ+ Community. His support made it possible for the Utah Pride Center and other organizations to expand services, outreach programs, and educational initiatives that have made a real, tangible difference in the lives of countless community members. His contributions have created a safer and more inclusive environment for LGBTQ+
people in Utah and beyond.”
Equality Utah Executive Director Troy Williams described Bastian as a “beloved friend, mentor, and benefactor,” emphasizing that no individual had a greater impact on the lives of LGBTQ+ Utahns. “Every success our community has achieved over the past three decades can be traced directly back to his love and support,” Williams said.
Stan Penfold, former Executive Director of the Utah AIDS Foundation, remembered Bastian’s unwavering support during the early days of the HIV/AIDS crisis. “Bruce was always kind and endlessly generous. He truly understood the challenges of HIV and AIDS when few others did. His financial support saved lives, and his legacy of compassion and advocacy will never be forgotten.”
Judy Shepard, a fellow HRC board member and Founding President of the Matthew Shepard Foundation Board of Directors, praised Bastian’s kindness and dedication to building community. “Bruce
led his life with an immeasurably kind heart. His advocacy and generosity centered on equality and inclusion, and he celebrated every victory for the community he loved.”
“We are devastated to hear of the passing of Bruce Bastian, whose legacy will have an undeniably profound impact on the LGBTQ+ community for decades to come. Bruce was in this fight, working at every level of politics and advocacy, for over three decades,” said Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign. “He traveled all across this country on HRC’s behalf and worked tirelessly to help build an inclusive organization where more people could be a part of this work. It’s hard to overstate the immense footprint he leaves behind for LGBTQ+ advocates in Washington, D.C., Utah and beyond. Bruce stood up for every one of us and uplifted the beautiful diversity of our community. It’s the kind of legacy we should all be proud to propel forward.”
“The B.W. Bastian Foun-
dation mourns the loss of our founder and friend,” said Michael Marriott, the foundation’s executive director. “The impact he had on so many lives was immeasurable. His spirit and memory will live on through Clint, his husband of six years, through Bruce’s four sons and their families, and through the many lives he touched through his generosity, time, energy, and commitment to making the world a better place. And Bruce’s legacy will continue in the work of the B.W. Bastian Foundation and its mission.”
Life of Achievement and Generosity
Born on March 23, 1948, in Twin Falls, Idaho, Bruce Bastian grew up on his family’s farm before attending Brigham Young University. There, he became the director of the Cougar Marching Band and earned degrees in Music Education and Computer Science. Bastian married Melanie Laycock in 1976; they divorced in 1993. Melanie Bastian passed away in 2016. Bastian later found happiness with Clint Ford, whom he married in 2018.
Throughout his life, Bastian was committed to authenticity and personal growth. In a 2020 interview, he reflected on his journey, saying, “I am happier than I’ve ever been. It has really taken down all the barriers. I really am on this kick now of authenticity.”
News of Bastian’s death brought numerous tributes highlighting his profound impact on the community. Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall called Bastian’s legacy “formidable,” and Diane Lewis, chair of the Utah Democratic Party, described him as a “light to the people of our state.”
Organizations Bastian supported, such as Project
Rainbow Utah and the Human Rights Campaign, remembered him as a champion of LGBTQ+ rights. His philanthropy also extended to the arts, with Ballet West and Utah Symphony | Utah Opera acknowledging
Bruce Bastian’s philanthropy and and advocacy
Bruce Bastian, the tech entrepreneur and philanthropist, has been a stalwart advocate for equality and social justice for decades. His contributions and recognitions are a testament to his unwavering commitment to making a difference. Recently, Bruce was thrilled to receive Equality Utah’s 2022 Impact Award, a prestigious honor acknowledging his significant contributions to advancing equality in the state. A video celebrating Bruce’s impact in Utah provides a glimpse into his remarkable journey and the lives he has touched (watch the video here).
Bruce’s philanthropic journey is filled with numerous accolades and meaningful contributions. On November 22, 2019, he was honored with the University of Utah’s School of Music’s Camerata Award. The event, held at the Libby Gardner Hall, was a memorable evening brimming with music and performances, celebrating Bruce’s support for the arts (more about the event). Earlier, on March 3, 2017, Bruce received the Honorary Alumnus Award from the University of Utah, marking another milestone in his philanthropic journey (video presentation).
To the U alone, Bruce gave more than 55 Steinway pianos, made a major contribution for renovations to Kingsbury Hall, provided annual support to the University’s LGBT Re-
his significant contributions. Bruce Bastian is survived by his husband, Clint Ford; three siblings: Reese, Camille, and Marietta; his four sons: Rick (Heather), Darren (Lisa), Jeff (Cristi), and Robert
source Center and U Pride, and thousands of dollars to other areas, including a College of Social Work social justice speaker series.
Bruce’s academic background, with a B.A. and M.A. from Brigham Young University, laid the foundation for his career in technology. As a cofounder of WordPerfect, he revolutionized word processing, creating features still integral to today’s software. Leveraging his success, Bruce founded the B.W. Bastian Foundation, which has generously supported initiatives in diversity, the underserved, and arts in education. His donations to the University of Utah include 55 Steinway pianos, significant contributions for renovations to Kingsbury Hall, annual support to the LGBT Resource Center and U Pride, and thousands of dollars for various other causes, including a social justice speaker series at the College of Social Work.
Bruce’s dedication to equality is further exemplified by his involvement in various landmark events and initiatives. He was part of the historic press conference in Utah with LDS leaders and elected officials, supporting the groundbreaking Anti-Discrimination and Religious Freedom Bill (video). Bruce also celebrated with HRC President Chad Griffin over the Supreme Court’s decisions on Prop 8 and DOMA (article).
In collaboration with the LGBT Community Fund of Utah, Bruce’s foundation issued a matching grant to help raise $100,000 for Utah’s only Homeless Boys Transi-
(Amy); and 14 grandchildren. Memorial services have not yet been announced. His legacy of compassion, advocacy, and generosity will continue to inspire and guide future generations. Q
tional House, providing a safe haven for homeless boys, many of whom identify as gay or questioning (read more). His efforts extended to supporting the HRC’s On The Road to Equality National tour (news story) and participating in political discussions about the role of gay donors in elections ( Washington Blade article).
Bruce’s impact on the arts includes his involvement in the documentary film “8 - The Mormon Proposition,” which explored the Mormon Church’s involvement in Prop 8 and was featured at Sundance 2010 (film details). The film won acclaim, further highlighting Bruce’s commitment to uncovering and addressing social injustices.
Despite his numerous successes and accolades, Bruce remains deeply connected to his community and causes. His involvement in various initiatives, from supporting homeless youth to advocating for equal rights, demonstrates his unwavering dedication to making the world a better place.
In a somber note, we remember Bruce’s dear friends and board members, Rick Ith and Brent Erkelens, whose passing is a great loss to the community (obituary). Their contributions and friendship will be deeply missed.
Bruce Bastian’s legacy is one of transformative impact and enduring commitment to equality, diversity, and the arts. His philanthropic efforts continue to inspire and pave the way for a more inclusive and just society. Q
In his words: Bastian’s speech on personal happiness
In 2018, Bruce Bastian was the keynote speaker at the Weber State University Peace and Possibility Speaker Series, which aims to bring high-profile LGBTQ+ leaders and advocates to the campus to “provide cultural opportunities, enhance the ‘welcomeness’ and inclusion of campus, and cultivate our ally community.” He spoke on how to achieve personal happiness. Here is a transcript of his speech:
I want to thank Weber State for this invitation to speak with you today. I really am honored to be here. I should have worn purple, and I’m sorry. I also want to pay a special tribute to Jane and Tami Marquardt for making these events possible. Jane and Tami are dear friends; I’ve known them for many years now. They are wonderful examples to me personally and fellow advocates for many great causes here in Utah and beyond. I want to start today by asking you to ask yourself a question: what is your main goal in life? What do you want to be when you grow up? No, really, what is your main goal? What are you aiming for? As you think about that, I think we should remember that for many human beings alive today, millions, maybe billions, their main goal every day is to stay alive. They want to get enough food, water, shelter to just survive. Hopefully, all of us in this room today don’t have to worry about that so much today, so we can concentrate on other things for this next 30-40 minutes. So, I want to concentrate on something else that is very basic, very important, and common: happiness. When I was a boy, which is now many, many, many years ago, the world seemed like a very different place than it is today. We didn’t have a TV; that was something very new, very rare, and very expensive. We had lots of books. We had a radio, one radio. We would gather around that radio in the evenings and listen to music and news programs, mostly music. We talked to each other a lot as a family, verbally, not text messaging. However, as different as the world was, I think the main goals were the same as they are today. My father went to work every day and many nights as well. My mother took care of the home and the kids. We lived on a farm, so my
mother worked in the garden, and my dad took care of the animals. We all wanted to survive and be a happy family. We just went about achieving those goals differently than most people do today. So, while I cannot relate to some of the precise activities younger people engage in today, I think and I hope I can share some thoughts and things I have learned in my life that are similar, if not exactly the same, as things people encounter today in everyday life. So, I want to share a short glimpse into my path to happiness in hopes it might give some ideas or insight to you and your search for happiness. I grew up spending a lot of time alone. That wasn’t necessarily by choice because we didn’t really live close enough to anyone I could call a friend. My friends were my brothers, my sisters, and our dog. I remember sitting at a large fruit tree in the front yard and pretending I was flying a big plane. It wasn’t too long after the Second World War, so with a lot of movies and stuff about the Air Force and war, I liked to pretend I was flying a bomber, and I’d drop bombs on different things. Usually, they were apricots or apples, but you know. I would find a clear spot of dirt and build a town of dirt roads, and I would divert water into ditches and pretend they were rivers running through the town. It’s where I learned how to think and imagine and dream. I was a happy little boy, at least I thought I was a happy little boy. Maybe that’s why I think it’s so important today to allow and encourage kids to imagine and dream. Then I went to school, and I started learning what adults thought I should learn. Then I went to junior high and started to learn more creative things like music and art, literature. I also had to learn how to fit in socially with other hu-
mans. I thought that was a little weird but necessary. Then I went to high school, and the social interaction almost became more important than what we learned in classes. You could be the best student in school and still not have any friends. I thought that was really unfair. Each time I graduated to the next level of learning or society, my definition of my personal happiness changed somewhat. Now, as I look back at that, I wonder if my happiness, my definition of happiness changed because I made a decision to change it, or did it change because I thought my happiness and my ability to fit into my society were interdependent upon each other? I looked around at my friends, some of whom I thought were very happy and some of whom I imagined weren’t so happy. I have noticed for years that some people my age lived in families that were as happy as I thought mine was. Some people were poor; some people were richer. That did make a difference in their clothes and the cars and their houses. It didn’t make much difference in the level of happiness, though. What I did start to see as a teenager was how wealth seemed to make a difference in how people treated each other. Even as a teenager, that didn’t seem right to me. It was as if some people were saying poor people couldn’t be as happy as rich people or weren’t as valuable as friends. That is an idea that took me many years to learn how untrue it is. Today, I know many rich people who are very unhappy, and their quest for money doesn’t really ever make them happier. I grew up as a member of the Mormon Church. If any of you are Mormon, then I suspect probably many of you are, you know that the church becomes a huge part of your personal social network as a child, as a teenager, and also as an adult. I believe that’s true with any
religion, though. I don’t think that’s just the Mormon Church. My definition of my personal happiness was greatly influenced by the church, not only by the teachings of the church but also, and perhaps mainly, because of the social interaction I had or was expected to have with other members of the church. I wanted to fit in. We all do. I went to church and thought for me to be happy, I needed to do this and that. I needed to live a certain way. I didn’t have to set a lot of my goals because most of them were set for me. What was I going to do when I graduated from high school? Go to BYU, of course. What was I going to do when I turned 19? Go on a mission, of course. What was I going to do when I came home from a mission? I was going to find the perfect girl, get married in a temple, and live happily ever after, of course.
I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. I’m saying that others defined my happiness, and I do not believe that is how we should live if we want to be truly happy. Well, I did go to BYU. As Jane said, that is when my personal definition of happiness really got challenged. It felt like my happiness was really interdependent on my social life, which was also very interdependent on church life. I started to believe the only way I could be happy was to accept everything I was being told about how to live my life. Did I really have to stop thinking for myself? Were all the strange ideas and feelings I had inside just bad or evil?
I started to retreat back to being that boy who wanted to get away by himself and pretend and dream. I started reading things again that I thought were interesting, just because. I started learning things that made me question other things that I had been taught or told. I started to question my own personal definition of my happiness. I think it’s important to state here that I do not believe my definition of happiness is the same as anyone else’s. I believe every person’s path to happiness is unique. That is why I believe we have to discover our own path to happiness and not have it defined by anyone else. I believe in that still, small voice that prompts us to do certain things that are unique to us. I just don’t believe that any church has a copyright on that. Changing our definition of personal happiness, I believe, is very much tied to learning who we really are. As we
grow up, much of, perhaps most of, who we believe we are is defined by people around us. We have people who really love us, yes, they really do love us, tell us from birth who we are, what we should believe, and what our goals in life should be. It goes much further than a father telling his son or daughter that they should be a doctor or a lawyer. It goes to the point of actually having them tell us where we should live or what our goal should be, or even whom we should marry. That might make the person telling us that very, very happy, but it may not make us happy at all. We cannot live our life to make other people happy. It’s not their happiness we seek; it’s ours.
We are also told by people all around us, many of whom really don’t like us, maybe a religious person, maybe a
“Learn to love yourself, realize your own value, and see yourself for who you really are. Your happiness is important.”
politician, that we should change. We should be someone different than we really are. They don’t approve of what we do, what we say, how we live. They want us to fit into their mold like they are. I suspect a lot of these people aren’t really happy themselves either. They just want to make us as unhappy as they are. We need to be wary of those people, however, because they are always there.
We grow older, we have our own personal experiences, we learn about the world around us and the people around us, and we start to understand more about who we really are. We start to form our own views of happiness and what our happiness looks like. Then comes the dilemma. Do we admit to our families and our friends or keep trying to live the life that they want us to live? More importantly, do we admit who we really are to ourselves? Do we let ourselves change, develop, let our definitions of our own happiness change and grow? That is an important question to answer.
For me, it was not a sudden revelation that I was different from the rest of the boys and girls. I had known that all my
life. What happened was that I got older, my understanding of what that meant started to evolve, and I started to gain a better understanding of who I really was. I was unhappy. The reason I was unhappy is that I was trying to make my family and my friends happy and not trying to make myself happy. In other words, I was living someone else’s definition of happiness and not my own. Then I had to decide if I wanted to be happy or if I wanted to keep living someone else’s version of happiness. That is a decision I think everyone will have to make at some point in their life. I suspect many of you here today have either faced that decision already or you will face it in the future. What makes it particularly difficult is if the happiness that you are searching for is not the same as the happiness people around you are searching for. It makes it particularly difficult to pursue your own happiness when you are afraid that the people around you will be hurt if you pursue your own happiness. I have some suggestions. First, you have to learn to love yourself, to realize your own value, and to see yourself for who you really are. You need to realize and tell yourself often that your happiness is as important as the happiness of your family or anyone else. Then you need to decide how to go about finding your own happiness and not necessarily someone else’s happiness. You have to give yourself time. You need to know that it will take time. Life is a journey, not a destination. You need to realize that your life will change, the people around you will change, your happiness will change. It takes time. Finally, you need to realize that you may not know right now where your happiness lies. You may need to realize that you might need to let go of some things and search for new things.
If you are ever really unhappy, you can start over. I have. You can let things go, search for new things, new people, new experiences. Don’t give up. I know how hard that is to do. It may not seem like it right now, but you can find happiness. Let yourself be you, let yourself be happy, and don’t worry so much about what other people think. I hope this will help you on your journey to happiness.
Thank you. Q
More info on Weber State University’s Peace and Possibility series can be found at weber.edu/lgbtq/peace.html
Utah Gov. Cox declares June ‘A Month of Bridge Building’
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has declared June Pride Month each year since he assumed office in 2021. Last year, he dropped the “LGBTQ+” from the declaration. This year, he dropped Pride as well and declared the month “A Month of Bridge Building.”
“While the declarations in the past have been intended as gestures of kindness and our shared humanity, they have been turned into a lightning rod for more division and hurt,” Cox posted on X. “This year, we want to focus even more on that core message of bridge-building and respect — to all in our state and during this month, with an extra focus on those in our community who are LGBTQ and may have felt like they don’t belong here in Utah.”
Utah Pride Center executive director Chad Call stated that Cox’s proclamation “falls short of addressing the real significance of this month for our community.”
“June is Pride Month — a time when we celebrate our identities, our history, and our resilience,” Call said. “Pride is not simply about building bridges; it is about recognizing and honoring the strength and unity of a marginalized community that has endured and continues to endure significant challenges.”
Call said that bridges are “an important part of infrastructures around the world” — structures that take years and substantial resources to build, or they
can be simple bridges that cross small obstacles.
“But in either case, a bridge’s functionality is to move people from one location to another, over what other-
our elected government officials to do more than simply work to build the bridge. We invite them, or rather we NEED them, to move across the bridge.”
wise would be an impassable obstacle,” Call continued.
“With that said, we invite
The declaration was released during a heated Republican primary race for Utah governor. Cox has been notably veering more conservative. In April, Cox still faced boos when he took the stage at the Republican State Nominating Convention, where GOP primary oppo-
nent, state Rep. Phil Lyman, ultimately secured over twothirds of the delegates’ votes.
“Maybe you’re booing me because you hate that I signed the largest tax cut in Utah history. Maybe you hate that I signed constitutional carry into law. Maybe you hate that we ended CRT, DEI, and ESG,” Cox said at the event. “Or maybe you hate that I don’t hate enough.”
In 2017, during a vigil in Salt Lake City for the victims of the Orlando Pulse shooting, then-Utah Lt. Gov. Cox gave a moving, tearful speech apologizing to the LGBTQ community for treating them poorly in his early life, and expressing gratitude to them for helping him realize the error of his ways.
“I recognize fully that I am a balding, youngish, middle-aged straight, white, male, Republican politician with all of the expectations and privileges that come with those labels,” Cox said at the rally. “I’m here because yesterday morning, 49 Americans were brutally murdered. … I’m here because those 49 people were gay. I’m here because it shouldn’t matter. But I’m here because it does.”
This year, he is leading a nationwide effort to encourage people to “disagree better” regarding political beliefs.
Ultra-right politicians and pundits have targeted Cox as “worse than Mitt Romney,” working to get Phil Lyman elected governor. A recent poll, however, shows Cox with a commanding lead over Lyman.
In 2023, Cox wrote 78 declarations from Arab American Heritage Month to Utah Native Plant Month. Q
Midvale City declares June as Pride Month
The Midvale City Council and Mayor Marcus Stevenson declared June 2024 as LGBTQ Pride Month in Midvale City. “This proclamation honors the contributions of the LGBTQ community and reaffirms our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion,” the Council announced in a statement. “Let’s come together to celebrate, advocate, and support one another.”
DECLARING JUNE 2024 AS LGBTQ PRIDE MONTH IN MIDVALE CITY
Whereas, the June 1969 riots at the Stonewall Inn in New York City precipitated the modern fight for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) rights; and Whereas, on June 11, 1999, President Clinton issued a proclamation designating June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month; and in June 2009, President Obama expanded it to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month; and Whereas, the LGBTQ community contributes immensely to our society in areas of science, education, religion, government, and sports; and Whereas, LGBTQ residents and employees have made and continue to make important and lasting contributions to Midvale City and the state of Utah; and Whereas, Midvale City has a long-standing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and has shown a commitment to promoting principles of fairness and justice for all residents and employees regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity; and Whereas, celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month provides awareness of and advocacy for the LGBTQ community and is an opportunity to strengthen alliances, build acceptance, and advance equitable rights. Now, Therefore, let it be resolved that Mayor Marcus Stevenson and the Midvale City Council hereby proclaim June 2024 as LGBTQ Pride Month in Midvale City. Q
Utah House Democrats issue Pride Month proclamation
While the Utah governor nor the full state House and Senate declined to proclaim June Pride Month, the Democratic Caucus of the Utah House of Representatives did:
WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ Pride Month occurs annually in June, commemorating the history, struggles, and achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals, while also celebrating the diversity and inclusivity of the LGBTQ+ community;
WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ Pride Month originated from the Stonewall riots in June 1969 at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, where LGBTQ+ individuals stood up against police harassment and discrimination, sparking a movement for LGBTQ+ rights and equality;
WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ Pride Month raises awareness about ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ in the United States and in Utah, such as discrimination, marginalization, and violence, while promoting acceptance, understanding, and equal rights for all individuals regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity;
WHEREAS, Utah has a vibrant LGBTQ+ community, along with organizations such as Equality Utah, Utah Pride Center, and Utah LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce that work tirelessly to advocate for LGTBQ+ rights, provide support services, and champion inclusivity throughout the state;
WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Utah features events, parades, and activities uniting individuals,
allies, and organizations to celebrate LGBTQ+ accomplishments and foster greater understanding, love, and acceptance;
WHEREAS, the Utah House of Representatives Decmocratic Caucus celebrates and recognizes LGBTQ+ Pride as a significant event, acknowledges progress in LGBTQ+ rights, supports LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations, and advocates for a society embracing equality and well-being for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity;
WHEREAS, The Utah House of Representatives Democratic Caucus reaffirms its commitment to promoting equality, inclusion, and acceptance for all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity;
WHEREAS, The Utah House of Representatives Democratic Caucus supports initiatives and policies that advance LGBTQ+ rights, combat discrimination, and create a more equitable and welcoming society for all;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Utah House of Representatives Democratic Caucus acknowledges and celebrates June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Utah.
SIGNED: June 1, 2024 by Representatives Angela Romero, Sahara Hayes, Jennifer Dailey-Provost, Brian King, Sandra Hollins, Ashlee Matthews, Rosemary Lesser, Carol Spackman Moss, Gay Lynn Bennion, Doug Owens, Joel Briscoe, Andrew Stoddard, Brett Garner, Mark Wheatley. Q
FBI reports recent surge in sextortion cases in Utah
The FBI has reported a significant rise in sextortion cases across the Mountain West region, while the Utah Department of Public Safety noted a record number of extortion and blackmail incidents in the past year.
In 2022, QSaltLake reported on a scam involving Scruff and Grindr users being told that an exchange they had the night before was with an underage child who, the scammer said, claimed had committed suicide after. The scammer demanded money to keep quiet.
According to state data, Utah has seen a steady increase in extortion and blackmail cases over the past five years. By October 31, 2023, 622 incidents had been recorded that calendar year, surpassing the total for all of 2022 and nearly equaling the combined totals of 2021 and 2020.
The FBI Salt Lake City field office, which covers Utah, Montana, and Idaho, receives dozens of sextortion reports monthly. With the advent of technology and online dating, anonymous extortion scams have become easier to execute. Scammers often threaten to expose private photos unless the victim pays them.
A recent media spotlight on sextortion cases involving the website Ashley Madison prompted Jacob G. (name withheld upon request) to share his experience of being extorted on the LGBTQ+ app Grindr. In April, Jacob exchanged explicit photos with someone on the app, only for the situation to quickly escalate into extortion.
“He was demanding that I drive to a gas station and buy gift cards in the amount of $1k,” Jacob recounted. The extortionist threatened to post Jacob’s photos on a website with child sexual abuse material, warning that Jacob would face jail time if the photos were found there. “It honestly was one of the most terrifying moments in my life,” Jacob said.
After researching extortion scams and finding similar stories on Reddit, Jacob blocked the extortionist, hoping nothing further would happen. “I’ve had a bunch of friends say the same thing has happened to them recently as well,” he said, hoping his story would raise awareness about these scams.
Grindr acknowledged that bad actors sometimes exploit features on the platform, a challenge faced by all social networking and dating apps. A Grindr spokesperson stated, “Grindr has always taken its role as a
connector for the queer community very seriously and is committed to creating a safe and authentic environment free of scammers, fake and harmful accounts, and spam.” The company employs a dedicated moderation team and machine learning tools to detect and remove violating accounts. Grindr also provides resources to protect users against scams, including Holistic Security and Scam Awareness Guides and safety tips available within the app. “We encourage users to report any suspicious behavior and use our video calling feature to connect with other users before meeting them in person,” the spokesperson added. Grindr is committed to supporting law enforcement in investigating and prosecuting bad actors.
Immediate Actions to Take:
DO NOT PAY OR ENGAGE FURTHER : Resist the urge to pay the blackmailer or continue communication. Paying or engaging further only signals that you are a profitable target.
SCREENSHOT EVERYTHING: Preserve all communications with the perpetrator. Capture their Grindr profile details, chat messages, extortion threats, personal photos/videos they have, and any money transfer receipts.
LOCK DOWN YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA : Protect your online presence to prevent sextortionists from contacting your friends, family, or employer. Adjust privacy settings on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn to maximize your privacy.
REPORT THE USER TO GRINDR : Use the platform’s reporting tools to document the sextortion attempt. Include all relevant details and screenshot evidence to help Grindr’s security team take action.
CONTACT LAW ENFORCEMENT: Sextortion is a serious crime. Report it to your local FBI field office or file a report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center. Provide all documentation and details about the scammer’s contact information and any money transferred.
Legal Rights and Support:
Victims of Grindr sextortion have strong legal protections. Under federal law, it is illegal to distribute private sexual content without consent. States also penalize sexual coercion and revenge porn.
If the scammer obtained money from you, they could be charged with theft and wire fraud. Legal options include:
RESTRAINING ORDERS: Petition for a restraining order against the scammer.
CRIMINAL COMPLAINTS: Press charges against the perpetrator.
CIVIL SUITS: Recover damages through a civil suit.
Attorneys who work with the LGBTQ community can be found at qpages.com/cat/attorneys/.
FAQs for Victims:
CAN I STAY ANONYMOUS? Yes, your name and identifying details can remain private in public court records. Attorneys will work to seal sensitive documents and evidence.
WHAT IF THE PERPETRATOR IS ABROAD? U.S. authorities can prosecute these crimes with the cooperation of foreign law enforcement. Scammers from various countries have been brought to justice through a global network of investigators.
WHAT IF MY PHOTOS/VIDEOS ARE SHARED? Act quickly to file DMCA takedown notices with any platforms hosting your content without consent. Obtain court orders to remove the material from search results.
HOW LONG WILL RESOLUTION TAKE? While criminal investigations may take time, most sextortion cases can be contained within days to weeks with proper intervention.
DO I HAVE TO REVEAL MY NAME OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION? No, all consultations are confidential, and extensive measures are taken to protect your privacy.
Emotional Support and Recovery:
Remember, you are not to blame for the scammer’s actions. Reach out to trusted friends, family, or an LGBTQ-affirming therapist. Join support groups for sextortion survivors and engage in self-care activities. Your sexual orientation and practices are your own, and sharing intimate content consensually is your right. LGBTQ+ Affirmative Psychotherapist Guild of Utah
The Trevor Project Online Community Q
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Utah gay activist David Nelson dies at 62
David K. Nelson, a prominent Utah gay activist who dedicated his life to advancing equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community and advocating for individuals with disabilities, passed away on June 10, 2024, in Salt Lake City. He was 62 years old. Born on April 7, 1962, in Salt Lake City, Utah, Nelson was a member of the politically influential Cannon family. His early interest in politics led him to study political science at the University of Utah from 1982 to 1984. Though his formal education was cut short, Nelson’s impact on the political landscape of Utah and beyond was profound and enduring.
Nelson’s activism began in the early 1980s, a time when the fight for LGBTQ+ rights was still in its nascent stages. In 1982, he founded the Military Law Task Force of Salt Lake City, providing paralegal support to active duty and veteran service members. His early work with the Lesbian and Gay Student Union at the University of Utah, where he served as vice president, laid the groundwork for his lifelong commitment to advocacy and equality. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Nelson played a pivotal role in the formation and leadership of numerous LGBT-related organizations in Utah, including the Gay and Lesbian Community Council of Utah, Gay Community Inc., and the Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats, among others. Nelson also
co-published the Community Reporter and contributed to various other publications, including Triangle Magazine and QSaltLake Magazine.
In 1985, he and Michael Aaron were bound in holy union through Metropolitan Community Church at First Unitarian Church in Salt Lake City. While they separated as partners, they remained close friends throughout.
Nelson’s activism extended into the political arena, where he was a tireless advocate for legislative change. He successfully lobbied for the passage of several key pieces of legislation, including Utah’s first hate crimes law and policies prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in county government employment. His work also ensured the inclusion of LGBT sensitivity training for Salt Lake City police officers and protections for terminally ill individuals seeking viatical settlements.
In addition to his work for LGBT rights, Nelson was a staunch supporter of Second Amendment rights, founding Stonewall Shooting Sports of Utah in 2002. This organization became one of the largest local LGBT firearm groups in the United States, reflecting Nelson’s belief in the importance of balancing civil liberties.
Nelson’s personal life was marked by significant challenges. In 2015, he was diagnosed with Autism
Spectrum Disorder, which led him to focus on advocacy for individuals with autism within the LGBT community. He co-founded the LGBTQ-Autism Utah organization in 2018, partnering with the Utah Pride Center and the University of Utah Health Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinic to provide much-needed support and resources. In his later years, he exhibited symptoms of Lewy body dementia, which ultimately took his life.
Nelson’s contributions to the Democratic Party encouraged many LGBT Utahns to become active in politics, serving as party leaders and influencing policy from within. His efforts earned him recognition from numerous political and governmental leaders and
accolades from the community he served so passionately.
Despite facing considerable opposition and often generating controversy within both the LGBT and broader political communities, Nelson’s unwavering commitment to equality and justice remained his guiding principle. His legacy is reflected in the many laws, policies, and organizations that continue to benefit the LGBT community in Utah and beyond.
Nelson is survived by his friends, colleagues, family, and the countless individuals whose lives he touched through his advocacy. His work will be remembered as a cornerstone of the fight for LGBT rights, and his impact will be felt for generations to come. Q
Rest in peace, Gay warrior
BY BEN WILLIAMS
David had a complicated relationship with leaders within the early Gay Community of the 1980’s and 1990’s. He and I sparred on many occasions regarding issues primarily as he was for building a Gay community through means of politics and I through means of social support groups. However I know we had a somewhat mutual respect for each other due to the love for this community.
David never knew that I nominated him several times for a Dr. Kristen Ries Community Service Award, which I think he richly deserved but I think he was too controversial for the majority of voting members.
When I nominated him in the early 2000s I listed the following as some of his achievements why he deserved to have been recognized-
David Nelson:
Founded the award-winning online service GayVoteUtah.com, which offers online voter registration and absentee ballot registration, voter services and political information to gay and lesbian voters across the state, and plans to expand the service nationally, 2001–2002
Advises the online service UtahDemocrat. com, which offers online discussion and voter resources for Democrats, 2001–2002
Advised on Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson’s executive order banning discrimination in city employment, 2000
Received a Democratic National Committee Lawrence O’Brien Achievement Award among others for his work as a gay Utah Democratic leader, 1998
Advised the formation of the Utah Gay and Lesbian Political Action Committee (GALPAC), 1998
Served as a federal hate-crimes adviser, 1997 to the present
Helped organize the state memorial for Matthew Shepard, 1997?
Served as board member of Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, Inc., 1997
Was invited to the White House to meet with Vice President Gore, 1996
Was elected twice as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, 1996 and 2000
Drafted and lobbied for Utah’s first sodomy reform legislation, 1995
Advised the creation of National Stonewall Democrats, 1995–1996; as well as Alaska, Colorado and other state gay Democratic clubs
Serves as a registered lobbyist, 1994 to the present
Fought successfully against mandatory AIDS testing legislation, 1994–1997
Advised and helped found Salt Lake County Gayand Lesbian Employees Association (GLEA), 1994
Ran for Utah Democratic Party secretary, 1993
Received the Utah Stonewall Center Diversity Is Great (DIG) Award, 1993
Fought successfully against the inclusion of sodomy to the state DNA database of criminal offenders, 1993
Helped draft and lobbied successfully for viatical-settlements law, which allows terminally-ill people to sell their life insurance, 1993
Drafted and lobbied successfully for Salt Lake County non-discrimination laws, 1992
Helped draft and lobbied successfully for Utah’s hate-crime legislation, 1991–1992; Helped draft and lobbied for amendments, 1993–1999
Was nominated to serve as the Western Regional Director of Human Rights Campaign Inc., 1991
Advised Utah Gay and Lesbian Youth (UGLY), 1990
Founded Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats (GLUD), 1990 and served on its executive committee, 1990–1996
Helped organize the political group Stonewall Town Meeting, 1989
Was nominated to serve as a San Jose, Calif., City Executive Compensation Commission member, 1989
Was nominated to serve as a board member of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 1988
Served as a San Francisco Bay Area Municipal Elections Committee Advisory
board member, 1988–1989
Served as the Utah director for Human Rights Campaign Inc., 1987–1992
Co-founded Gay and Lesbian Community Council of Utah Inc., 1987
Lobbied successfully for Salt Lake City Police Department gay and lesbian cultural sensitivity training, 1986
Drafted and lobbied for first Salt Lake City non-discrimination ordinance, 1986; helped draft and lobbied for ordinance, 1998
Organized the Utah delegation Lobby Day for the National March on Washington, 1987 and 1993
Founded, published and wrote for Community Reporter, 1985; and Triangle, 1986–1987; and has written for Out Front Review and The Pillar
Ran for Salt Lake City Council, 1985
Helped organize the Utah delegation at the National March for Gay and Lesbian Rights at the Democratic National Convention, 1984
Lobbied the Democratic National Platform and Policy Commission, chaired by Gov. Scott Matheson and Gov. Ann Richards, for gay and lesbian family issues, 1984
Served as first gay liaison for Salt Lake City under Mayor Ted Wilson, 1984
Helped organize Utah Gay and Lesbian Pride Day, 1984
Served as vice-president of LGSU and lobbied for first official funding for the group, 1983–85
Served as a Democratic Party officer in the San Francisco, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City areas since 1983
Has lectured at University of Utah, Weber State University, Westminster College, Salt Lake Community College and Cedar City Hall, Utah, town meeting
Has registered well over 10,000 voters since 1980, many of them gay and lesbian
David Nelson was a force to be reckoned with, once upon a time in old Gay Salt Lake City, Utah. He was a fierce combatant in the fight for Equality Rest in Peace you Gay Warrior. Q
Trans Continental Pipeline seeks to help in hate states to LGBTQ+ friendly Colorado
In a landscape marked by uncertainty and increasing threats to LGBTQ+ rights across the United States, there is a grassroots effort to assist people to move away from hostile areas to LGBTQ+-friendly Colorado.
Keira Richards, a trans woman and executive director of the Trans Continental Pipeline, says their mission is to give queer people options regarding relocation, should that be something they are interested in.
“We have a four-step program and can provide logistical, financial, and social support for a move,” Richards explained. “I wanted to make our resources known to those who may need them in Utah, especially
given the precarious legal status of trans individuals.”
Originating from humble beginnings on Tinder, TCP has evolved into a support system for queer individuals navigating the challenging terrain of relocation.
The genesis of TCP stemmed from a recognition of the urgent need to assist LGBTQ+ individuals, especially trans and gender-nonconforming people, to escape hostile environments. With the rise of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and a deteriorating cultural climate in states like Texas, Florida, and Utah, many find themselves in dire situations, resorting to hasty moves and uncertain futures.
The founder of TCP, whose identity remains anonymous,
recounts the harrowing experiences shared by new arrivals, from purchasing one-way tickets to sleeping in cars upon arrival in Colorado. These stories underscored the imperative for a more organized and expansive support network. Thus, TCP seeks to transition from a grassroots initiative to a formal nonprofit entity.
The urgency of TCP’s mission is underscored by sobering statistics and ongoing threats to LGBTQ+ rights nationwide. With only 13 states considered “safe” for trans individuals and over 400 anti-trans bills presented in state legislatures within the first six weeks of 2024, the need for sanctuary, organizers say, is undeniable. Moreover, the specter of potential federal anti-LGBTQ+ measures looms large, amplifying the sense of insecurity and prompting preemptive migration.
“The interpretation of the 14th amendment that led to Roe v Wade being overturned could be applied to Obergefell v. Hodges, causing the immediate ban of gay marriage in 35 states due to trigger laws in place,” organizers wrote. Utah is among those states that have not removed marriage as solely between “one man and one woman.”
Recognizing the financial barriers inherent in relocation, TCP aims to alleviate the burden through a multifaceted approach. From microgrant programs to logistical assistance with housing and employment, the organization strives to make the journey to Colorado more feasible for those in need. Yet, TCP’s commitment extends beyond physical
relocation, encompassing the crucial task of fostering community connections and providing ongoing support.
The TCP project unfolds in four distinct steps, each tailored to address different facets of the relocation process. Beginning with decision-making resources and culminating in community integration initiatives, TCP endeavors to accompany individuals every step of the way. Through partnerships with local organizations and the cultivation of a supportive network, TCP seeks to ensure that no LGBTQ+ individual feels isolated or unsupported in their new environment.
Looking ahead, TCP envisions further expansion and collaboration within Colorado’s LGBTQ+ community, drawing upon the expertise and resources of established organizations and affinity groups. By bridging the gap between newcomers and existing networks, TCP endeavors to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all. Q
Gay rodeo returns to Utah, celebrating diversity and Western tradition
Saddle up and get ready for an exhilarating weekend as the Utah Gay Rodeo makes its triumphant return to the Golden Spike Arena in Ogden on June 22 and 23. The Crossroads of the West Regional Rodeo promises to be an exciting blend of traditional rodeo competitions and flamboyant “camp” events that celebrate the diversity and inclusivity of the LGBTQ+ community.
“It’s a big party. It’s a big festival,” enthuses Raeann Grow, president of the Utah Gay Rodeo Association. “It’s the country lifestyle, with a flare and a live rodeo at the same time.”
With 13 traditional events, such as bull riding, steer riding, calf roping, pole bending, and team roping, alongside three camp events — goat dressing, steer decorating, and the wild drag race — the rodeo offers something for everyone.
The camp events are a highlight, showcasing the creativity and humor of participants. Steer decorating involves adorning a steer’s tail with a ribbon, while the wild drag race sees a team member dressed in drag attempting to ride a steer to the finish line. In goat dressing, teams race against the clock to put underpants on a goat.
“It’s literally people putting underwear on goats,” Grow says with a laugh.
“All the other events are standard as you’d see at any professional rodeo,” Grow adds, emphasizing the inclusivity of the event. “Competitors include gay, straight, and transgender individuals. Everyone’s welcome to compete, and everybody’s welcome to attend.”
The Utah Gay Rodeo is a family-friend-
ly event with all activities maintaining a PG rating. Rodeo events take place inside the arena, while the Golden Spike Arena Courtyard hosts county fair-style games and entertainment from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Vendors will offer a variety of items, including Western hats, T-shirts, candles, and more. Food and alcohol will also be available, and a Silent Auction will raise funds for charity and future UGRA events.
Entertainment will be plentiful throughout the weekend. Saturday night features a special performance by past and present International Gay Rodeo Association. This year’s rodeo royalty are Mr. UGRA 2024 Steve Housley, Miss UGRA 2024 I’sis DeCarlo-Cha’Nel, and MX UGRA 2024 Mystic DeCarlo-Cha’Nel Foxx
Admission to the rodeo is $15 per day for those 16 and above, and free for those 15 and under, while entertainment in the Courtyard is free. More information and tickets can be found on the UGRA website (utahgayrodeo. com) or the Golden Spike Arena website (goldenspikeeventcenter.com).
Each day of the rodeo begins at 11 a.m. with the Grand Entry, followed by a packed schedule of events that run back-to-back until all competitors have finished. The lineup includes calf roping on foot, team roping, mounted breakaway, steer decorating, pole bending, mutton busting, chute dogging, steer riding, goat dressing, ranch saddle bronc, bull riding, wild drag, barrel racing, and the flag race. The rough stock events, such as bull
riding and steer riding, test contestants’ ability to stay atop or maneuver around animals many times their size. These events require significant skill and experience. In the adrenaline-pumping bull riding event, riders must contend with a massive, often aggressive bull, while ranch saddle bronc riding involves riding a horse fitted with a full saddle and holding onto a soft rope.
Speed events like barrel racing, pole bending, and the flag race highlight the agility and speed of both horse and rider, with participants vying for the fastest time. These events demand precision and quick reflexes, and a single mistake can lead to disqualification.
The rodeo’s camp events are where the creativity and humor shine. Steer decorating, wild drag race, and goat dressing require participants to navigate quirky challenges, often resulting in hilarious and memorable moments.
The International Gay Rodeo Association and the Utah Gay Rodeo Association adhere to strict animal welfare practices. More information at utahgayrodeo.com/rodeo-info/animal-welfare
As the Utah Gay Rodeo returns, it promises to be a celebration of community, diversity, and the enduring spirit of the rodeo. With its mix of traditional and camp events, it’s an event that welcomes everyone to come, compete, and enjoy the fun. “Please come and enjoy playing in the dirt with us,” Grow invites.
For detailed information about the running order of events and more, visit the Utah Gay Rodeo website. Don’t miss this unique celebration of Western culture with a fabulous twist. Q
MR. UGRA 2024 Steve Housley
Miss UGRA 2024 I’sis DeCarloCha’Nel
MX UGRA 2024 Mystic DeCarlo-Cha’Nel Foxx
views quotes
Complaints received by Utah State Auditor John “Frugal” Dougall
“Mike hawk was out, flaunting their transness all over the bathroom... I yelled at the top of my lungs ‘whats going on?’ But all they said was ‘heeeyeyeeeyeye heeeeyeeeeyeeee. I said hey. Whats going on?’”-
“I went there and saw a strange person who I am not familiar with was minding their own business. It scared and rattled me, i clutched my pearls as I had a yuge panic attack. It took 4 Xanax and 30 minutes with my habanero dog to calm down.”
“i saw Trump and Biden hosting and participating together in drag queen story hour inside the women’s bathroom at a government-owned highway rest stop outside Provo!”
“I stole Trump’s wig and he called me a “bitch” and a “nasty woman” while threatening to grab me by the pussy.”
“A wiener girl went into to bathroom. Arrest them. I tried sucking it. Didn’t work.”
“You do realize you are encouraging people to take photos of others (including minors) in order to harass and endanger them? This is stupid.”
I have a friend who has transitioned from female to male and now has a very bushy beard as well as a fairly muscular build and deep voice. My understanding is that he should use the female restroom while in Utah State facilities. Is this correct?
Ilike
who’s your daddy
That’s the fact
BY CHRISTOPHER KATIS
to think that I’m pretty tolerant of other people’s opinions. Where I’m not so open-minded is when people mistake opinions for facts. The former is just preference; the latter can be supported by evidence. A lot of folks tend to confuse the two; just because you hold a certain view doesn’t mean it’s true. And when those unsubstantiated beliefs are about other groups of people, they can be downright dangerous.
There are a lot of hurtful myths about gay parents. Unfortunately, all too often, people opposed to the idea of two dads or two moms cite them as fact.
Let’s take a look of some of these more common myths.
KIDS OF SAME GENDER PARENTS ARE AT RISK FOR SEXUAL ABUSE.
There is absolutely zero basis for this crap. In fact, according to Adoptions from the Heart, a Pennsylvania-based organization, multiple studies have shown that gay men are no more likely to, “be attracted to, or sexually abuse, children” than their straight counterparts. In fact, they note that the only “study” (their emphasis) to argue otherwise was conducted by the co-founder of the Family Research Institute. Although regularly cited, his research is rejected by the American Psychological Association and the American Sociological Association. The “research institute” is also designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
CHILDREN NEED A MOM AND DAD. OK, yeah, I agree. But those with single moms, single dads, two moms or two dads do not fare any worse than those with so called traditional parents. One study examining 25-year-olds who were raised by two moms found “no significant difference in measures of mental health” when compared to their peers raised by straight parents. In another study cited in The Journal of Marriage and Family, sociologist Timothy Biblarz of the University of Southern California said,
"The bottom line is that the science shows that children raised by two same-gender parents do as well on average as children raised by two different-gender parents. This is obviously inconsistent with the widespread claim that children must be raised by a mother and a father to do well,"
BEING RAISED BY GAY PARENTS
MEANS THE KIDS WILL BE GAY THEMSELVES. The “scientist” over at Family Research Institute thinks so. And he’s not alone. A full 10% of the 72 studies that were reviewed for a paper in Journal of International Women’s Studies showed children of LGBT+ parents were more likely to themselves identify as queer than those raised by straight parents. But the authors also noted that not only did 90% of studies say that wasn’t true, many of those that made the claim seemed to have small sample sizes or be scientifically flawed. Um my family: two gay dads raised two straight sons.
KIDS
OF LGBTQ+ PARENTS STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES . There’s actually no evidence for that claim. In fact, a paper reviewing several studies published in Humanities and Social Science Communications showed there are no statistically significant differences between the two groups. In fact, one study found that, “children with samesex male parents have fewer anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal issues than children with different-sex parents.”
CHILDREN
WITH GAY PARENTS
WILL GET PICKED ON. They almost certainly will. But Adoptions from the Heart cites studies showing that it won’t be any more or less than those raised by straight parents.
I admit, sometimes being tolerant of people who confuse beliefs with evidence is difficult. I just try to remember that everybody’s entitled to their opinion, no matter how stupid it is. And that’s a fact! Q
12896 S Pony Express Rd Suite 200 in Draper (just north of IKEA) 801.333.3777 www.ilovelotus.com
creep of the month
Caitlyn Jenner throws her MAGA hat into the ring for California governor
BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI
Congratulations,
everyone! We did it! Anti-LGBTQ+ bias is over and done now that Caitlyn Jenner is running to be California’s next governor! If we’ve learned anything from these past four years, it’s that putting a completely unqualified ego-maniac in charge of things is a great idea. Great, great. Nicely done everyone.
HA. I’m kidding. Not about Caitlyn Jenner running for governor. I wish that was a joke. Or, I mean, it is a joke. But not a “ha ha” joke. A “that’s pathetic” joke. There is currently a Republican effort to recall California Gov. Gavin Newsom because he was too mean to COVID-19, daring to enact restrictions to stop its spread. HASN’T HE EVER HEARD OF FREEDOM? Doesn’t a deadly virus deserve freedom, too? So, perhaps Jenner is hoping to capitalize on that.
Look, I’m all for women getting elected to the highest levels of government. And I’m all for trans women holding these positions! We need more transgender people making policy because the current wave of anti-trans bills flooding the nation is heinous.
But Caitlyn Jenner is not the one, thank you.
And I’m reminded of the many people who said things like, “I’m all for a woman being President, but not this woman” when talking about Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, etc. The difference, of course, is that all of those women were — and still are — imminently qualified to hold the position, which laid bare the sexism behind the “not this woman” argument that rejects women candidates.
But Jenner is not qualified. At all.
You don’t have to take my word for it. On April 23, transgender activist Charlotte Clymer tweeted in response to the announcement, “Caitlyn Jenner is a deeply unqualified hack who doesn’t care about anyone but herself. Her views are terrible. She is a horrible candidate.”
Clymer also points out the wrong response to Jenner’s announcement: “Misgendering Caitlyn Jenner because you think transphobia is OK.”
And that’s part of what’s tricky about Jenner. On the one hand, she’s transgender and on the receiving end of a lot of anti-trans hate.
On the other hand, as a Republican, she’s historically supported a political and social structure that has inequity at its core and has benefited from it.
Jenner supported Donald Trump in 2016, for example. She said that he’d be “very good for women’s issues,” even.
After Trump’s push for anti-trans policies, she claimed to no longer support him, but then was photographed out and about wearing a red MAGA hat, claiming that she’d just grabbed the first hat that was handy while she ran out to run errands.
Uh, sure. I have no doubt that a celebrity who knows that every single public second of her life will be photographed “accidentally” wore a hat celebrating fascism.
Then there’s the “Big Tent Party” argument: the Republican Party needs LGBTQ+ people on the inside in order to change the party for the better.
Keep in mind that the Republicans have only gotten more anti-LGBTQ+ over time. They are not shifting away from hate — they are embracing it more openly than ever.
As Abigail Covington pointed out in Esquire, Jenner is also a useful symbol for Republicans’ window dressing that helps to obscure their hostility toward transgender people.
“Republicans will cite her campaign as evidence of their lack of transphobia,” Covington writes, “while they draft legislation that bans gender-affirming health care for transgender minors. ‘How can we be transphobic,’ they will claim, ‘when Caitlyn Jenner is running for governor as a Republican?’ It’s the LGBTQ+ version of the ‘America can’t be racist
because we elected Obama’ argument.”
And we see how that’s working out! A single president isn’t enough to undo hundreds of years of racism. And a single transgender woman running for governor won’t be a panacea, either.
It’s also worth noting the there isn’t much the Republican party has to offer transgender people. It’s the party of making the rich richer, while most transgender people face significant barriers — including the kind of bigotry the GOP reinforces — to employment and job advancement. It’s the party against everyone having health insurance even during a pandemic. It’s the party that excuses at best, or endorses at worst, misogyny and sexism that makes life even harder for transgender people. It’s the party that is actively working to hurt transgender people every single day through legislation to do things like ban trans athletes and prohibit gender-affirming care for minors.
Not only would Jenner assuming the governorship not help transgender people, it’s more likely to hurt them, something a lot of people understand.
“Make no mistake: we can’t wait to elect a #trans governor of California,” Equality California tweeted. “But @Caitlyn_Jenner spent years telling the #LGBTQ+ community to trust Donald Trump. We saw how that turned out. Now she wants us to trust her? Hard pass.”
There are plenty of transgender women who would be great public servants. But we’ve seen how this reality show goes. We canceled it. We don’t need a reboot. Q
D’Anne Witkowski is a writer living with her wife and son. She has been writing about LGBTQ politics for over a decade. Follow her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.
SLC Pride: Transforming Pride
Organizers are calling the new SLC Pride a “new chapter of pride in the Salt Lake Valley ... the first-ever hyperlocal, community-focused, radically-inclusive festival.” The event will be held at The Gateway Saturday, June 29 from 3 to 10 p.m. and Sunday, June 30 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“With our trans community being hit left and right in the legal arena, we chose to clap back this year by putting them in the center of our pride love fest,” organizers said in a statement. “With a theme of Transform Pride, we are highlighting this historically under-represented part of our community and asking them to showcase their talents.”
Two-thirds of the all-local performers at the Festival will have trans- or gender-non-conforming representation.
Local food artisans, artists, shops, and community groups will have tables at the event. Several panels will take place as well.
“We’ve worked hard this year to create a space where everyone can celebrate who they are,” the statement continued. “Never again will you have the chance to attend SLC Pride’s first festival, so gear up in whatever outfit makes you most feel at ease (gender exploration encouraged and celebrated) and come experience what we mean when we say hyperlocal, community-focused and radically-inclusive.”
Masks will be available at the gates. The grounds are wheelchair-friendly, and misting stations will be available to cool off. Noise-canceling headphones and kinetic sand will be available in a neurodivergent area.
The festivities kick off on
THURSDAY, JUNE 27TH , with the GenderFuq Pride Kickoff Party at 110 S Rio Grande Street. Attendees can enjoy performances by Body Horror, Grace & Silence, FloatingRound, and Sleepy Moon Ray. The event will also showcase drag performances by Lux St. Diamond, Justin Secrecy, and Black Luscious, hosted by Sammee St. James and Mona Diet. This all-ages event will include a Queer Market, ensuring there is something for everyone.
FRIDAY, JUNE 28TH , marks the 55th anniversary of Stonewall. The community is invited to remember and celebrate this pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history at The Locker Room and Club Verse.
The main festival begins on SATURDAY, JUNE 29TH , running from 3 to 10 p.m. at The Gateway. The celebration continues into the night with an after-party at The Locker Room and Club Verse.
SUNDAY, JUNE 30TH , features the second day of the festival from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at The Gateway. A special Trans-Pancake Breakfast on the Green will take place from 10 a.m. to noon. The location for the after-party will be announced closer to the date.
On MONDAY, JULY 1ST, volunteers are encouraged to help with the post-event clean-up, although some may choose to rest or return to work.
SLC Pride’s mission is to celebrate the Queer community and its diversity, emphasizing visibility, belonging, support, and equity. The event aims to highlight the rich and complex tapestry of Queer identity, amplifying community voices through an
atmosphere of acceptance, understanding, and celebration.
The vision for SLC Pride is a community where all Queer people and their families thrive, where leading an authentic life is respected and valued, and where joy and empathy are commonplace. The organization aims to create a financially and environmentally sustainable event that is accessible to all, focusing on local artists, performers, organizations, activists, and politicians. Safety and minimizing trauma are top priorities, and the event is free for those under 18, with minimal costs for others.
Pride festivals serve as safe spaces for authenticity, community, and suicide prevention. Despite anti-LGBTQAI+ legislation, the community remains resilient. Donations and sponsorships are crucial to keep Pride financially accessible, covering essential costs such as stages and sanitation. Contributions can be made through the event’s 501(c)(3) financial sponsor, ICCJ, with donations earmarked for SLCPRIDE.
Organizers say by supporting SLC Pride, individuals
can help ensure a weekend filled with love, community, and celebration for all
4:30pm Will Baxter Band 5:40pm BOOTLEGG 8:15pm TinkFu
Sunday
SOUTH STAGE
12:30pm Pepper and the Roses 1:50pm Queer Variety Extravaganza 2.0
3:10pm Sleepy Moon Ray 4:30pm Marqueza
5:40pm DJ Rey
NORTH STAGE
1:10pm CARE
2:10pm Zaza Historia VanDyke
3:30pm Mandy Danzig, Alisa Jo
4:40pm Leetham
5:30pm DJ High Intentions
More information at slc-pride.org
Saturday
BURNING AVENUES, a punk musician from Salt Lake City, Utah, seamlessly blends the raw energy of punk with the catchy melodies of pop punk. Known for their electrifying performances, Burning Avenues captivates audiences with frantic beats, fierce guitar riffs, and deeply personal lyrics.
MENDED HEARTS CLUB is an indie folk duo from Salt Lake City, known for their heartfelt lyrics and harmonious melodies. Comprised of talented musicians Aiden Barrick and Judith Rognli, they blend acoustic guitar with soulful vocals to create a warm, evocative sound that resonates deeply with listeners. Their music explores themes of love, loss, and healing, offering a poignant and introspective listening experience.
The WILL BAXTER BAND, based in Salt Lake City, delivers an electrifying blend of blues, soul, and rock. Led by charismatic frontman Will Baxter, the band is known for their tight musicianship, smooth grooves, and Baxter’s soulful vocals. Their dynamic performances captivate
audiences, featuring a mix of original songs and innovative covers that showcase their musical versatility.
THE NUANUA COLLECTIVE, based in Salt Lake City, is a community collective established in 2019 for LGBTQ+ Pacific Islanders & QTBIPOC. Nuanua means “Rainbow” in Sāmoan. The dynamic arts group fosters creativity and community engagement and is dedicated to promoting diverse artistic expressions. They sponsored the FaFa Fest earlier in June for Queer Indigenous community members, followed by a special edition of Oceania Out Loud with live performances from IndigiQueer artists eager to share their talents with the audience.
Mississippi born and raised, BOOTLEGG ’s music career started in the church choir and progressed to school band, choir, and opera, all the way to here on this stage. While growing up on church music, funk, and disco, he listened to and gained swagger from many hip-hop and R&B artists. This eventually led to an appreciation for EDM music and many other styles of music.
SHECOCK
WITH A VENGEANCE is a powerhouse punk rock band hailing from Salt Lake City. Known for their high-energy performances and unapologetic attitude, they blend aggressive riffs with fiercely rebellious lyrics, creating a sound that resonates deeply with fans. Their music tackles social issues, championing individuality and defiance against the status quo. With a strong local following, Shecock With A Vengeance has become a staple in the Salt Lake City punk scene.
DOOM CUPCAKE is a unique musical act from Salt Lake City, blending elements of darkwave, synth-pop, and goth to create a distinctive and captivating sound. Known for their haunting melodies, brooding lyrics, and atmospheric performances, Doom Cupcake captivates audiences with their enigmatic presence and emotional depth.
TINKFU, based in Salt Lake City, is a trailblazing figure in the local music scene, renowned for her vibrant DJ sets and eclectic mix of beats. Specializing in electronic, house, and hip-hop genres, TinkFu infuses her sets with infectious energy and a deep love for music that transcends boundaries. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, she champions inclusivity and empowerment through her performances, creating spaces where everyone can dance freely and feel celebrated.
QUEER VARIETY EXTRAV
AGANZA is made up of many local queer and queer-friendly visual, drag, and musical artists, including Black Luscious, Citrus Pastel, Cookie Sinclair, Diana Lone, Duke Wellington, Edgy Emerald, Heels In Motion, LUMINOUS, Luna Sol, MayadaBanjara, Mik Jager, Nu-tral, Reija Blades, Whorechata
Sunday
PEPPER AND THE ROSES, hailing from Salt Lake City, form an indie rock band celebrated for their poetic lyrics and atmospheric soundscapes. Led by Pepper’s emotive vocals and complemented by the Roses’ intricate instrumentation, their music weaves tales of love, introspection, and the human experience. Drawing inspiration from folk, alternative rock, and indie influences, they craft melodies that resonate deeply with audiences.
QUEER VARIETY EXTRAVAGANZA 2.0, made up of Billy the King, Daisy Voo, Dem E Fluxx, Divina 2.0, Justin Secrecy, Liam Manchesthair, Notta Genda, Rubi K Rose, Shortcake The Clown, Systeen Chapelle
ZAZA HISTORIA VANDYKE
is a POC, trans femme, parent, performer, songwriter, and artist from Ogden, Utah. You can find Zaza anywhere. She can be loud and proud with an instrument in hand, either playing upright bass for “The Backyard Revival” or playing guitar and singing her own original music. She’s the girl at every campfire and party, singing and playing acoustic guitar, In fact, you’ll be hard pressed to find Zaza without a guitar close by.
SLEEPY MOON RAY, a rising singer-songwriter from Salt Lake City, enchants audiences with her ethereal voice and introspective lyrics. Combining folk, indie, and dream-pop influences, her music transports listeners to a world of emotive melodies and heartfelt storytelling. Sleepy Moon Ray’s songs explore themes of love, growth, and the human experience with a delicate vulnerability that resonates deeply.
Often accompanied by vocalist ALISA JO, MANDY DANZIG ’s shows are rollicking romps through traditional and original music filled with joy, and an invitation for everyone to sing along. Mandy plays almost anything with strings, and during her shows, she flows effortlessly from one instrument to another, weaving in and out of songs with her effervescent storytelling.
Japanese-Venezuelan singer, songwriter, producer, and visual artist MARQUEZA has been a natural performer and creative since childhood. Identifying as gender-fluid and genre-fluid, they are influenced by a wide range of styles ranging from R&B, jazz, rock, pop, punk, experimental, electronic, Japanese City Pop, and more. Mostly self-taught, everything Marqueza writes is intuitively done through improvisation, utilizing a pitch-perfect ear and natural sensitivities to sound to create gently flowing and emotional soundtracks.
and looks to make sure everyone is included in the community. Leetham has played major festivals in their Utah scene and abroad, including but not limited to the Utah Pride Festival, Utah Beer Festival, and Mesa Music Festival.
Austin (HIGHINTENTIONS )
Miller, originally from picturesque Ogden, Utah, embarked on a transformative journey to Los Angeles during the pandemic. As a dedicated nurse, they navigated uncertainty with resilience and compassion. Once the pandemic’s grip loosened, Austin felt a call to pursue their true passion. Growing up as a non-binary, queer individual in a conservative state instilled a profound sense of empathy and determination in Austin, driving them to dismantle barriers and amplify marginalized voices.
Salt Lake City’s Rey Méndez, known as DJ REY, is celebrated for his electrifying sets and dynamic mixing skills. Specializing in genres like house, techno, and Latin beats, DJ Rey creates vibrant atmospheres that keep crowds dancing all night. With a keen ear for music and a passion for innovation, he seamlessly blends diverse sounds, captivating audiences with his unique style.
LEETHAM is an LGBTQ+ progressive pop artist based in Salt Lake City. Leetham’s music celebrates the queer community
Upcoming Regional Prides
Granary Pride
An opportunity to explore the Granary Campus for their Pride celebration will happen on June 23, with beer from @fisherbrewing, yard games, free skating , discounted climbing, drag show, live music, giveaways, vintage market from lostandfoundslc, and an after-party at the rooftop bar.
Proper Brewing Co. is sponsoring the after-party and supporting the drag show, offering a new limited beer special, “The Gei Effect,” which will be sold upstairs in the Evo Crown Bar and is available only in the month of June. All proceeds will be donated to @priderideutah
Pride Without Police – Fairmont Park
On Sunday, June 30, from 5 to 9 pm, Salt Lake Community Mutual Aid will host the 2024 Pride Without Police event at Fairmont Park in the main pavilion. “This celebration of queer identity aims to honor Pride’s revolutionary roots while opposing the inclusion of police and corporate entities in traditional Pride events,” organizers said in a statement. “Pride Without Police celebrates our queer identity and seeks to memorialize the fact that a police presence is antithetical to Pride.”
Organizers promise free food, music, queer artists, an anti-policing workshop, and a gender-affirming clothing exchange.
“This year’s Pride Without Police is a scaled-down event presented by Salt Lake Community Mutual Aid [in 2023],” organizers explained. “Our goal and purpose for the event remain the same. We
oppose capitalist assimilation and call for queer liberation.”
Organizers say the event is community-driven.
“We consider the Utah Pride Center’s inclusion of police, real estate investors, petroleum refineries, and military contractors as directly inviting the very entities that drive our oppression,” organizer said. “Our goal for PWP is to provide an opportunity for people to take actual pride in who they are without the barriers imposed by the Pride Center.” Masks are required unless you have an exemption.
More information is at slcmutualaid. com/pride-without-police
Ogden Pride
As organizers passionately craft the details for Ogden’s upcoming 10th annual Festival, the excitement is palpable. Picture three days of pure celebration, each moment carefully designed to reflect a decade of pride, unity, and acceptance. This is an open invitation to everyone, welcoming all to share in the joy of this monumental celebration. Join them as they weave together the threads of a decade, creating a vibrant tapestry of love and diversity. Organizers hope to make the 10th annual Festival an unforgettable celebration of who Ogden is.
Aug. 2 will be the Queer Prom, an all-ages dance.
Aug. 3 is “An Epic Night: Festival Rally & Royale Affair”
Aug. 4 is the main Ogden Pride Festival, free to the public.
Sponsorships run from $200 to $8,000. Booths run from $200 to $425. Over 300 volunteers are needed.
WHERE: DOWNTOWN OGDEN
WHEN: AUGUST 2–4
INFO: OGDENPRIDE.ORG
Trans Pride-N-Joy Fest
Genderbands will be holding their fifth annual Trans Pride Festival with a new monicker — Trans Pride-N-Joy Fest. Organizers say the festival “celebrates, centers, and brings visibility to our amazingly diverse transgender community.”
WHEN: AUGUST 10
WHERE: UTAH COUNTY
INFO: GENDERBANDS.ORG/ UTAHTRANSPRIDE
Logan Pride Festival
Since 2017, the Logan Pride Foundation has served the Cache Valley community as a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating diversity while promoting LGBTQIA+ visibility, acceptance, and support in our region. While we host many projects and activities throughout the year, our hallmark event is our annual Pride Festival, which occurs each September. This single-day event has notably generated the largest reach and impact in and for our community, with over 3,000 attendees.
Sponsorships are available from $500 to $5,000.
Vendor booths are allotted a 10×10 plot, which they can set up as they wish. Last year, the event had 84 booths.
Musicians and drag artists are welcome to show interest in performing in one of the event’s multiple performance spaces.
The event is free for attendees. Donations to the festival help fund the Logan Pride House, the nonprofit’s home that provides a place for activities and support groups for Cache County’s LGBTQ+ community.
WHEN: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
WHERE: WILLOW PARK, LOGAN INFO: LOGANPRIDE.ORG
Pride of Southern Utah Lake Day 2024
A day of sun, water, food, and celebration at Southern Utah’s annual Quail Creek Lake Day. As in years past, they’ll be located near the waters edge, close to Dig Paddlesports.
WHEN: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1–5 P.M.
WHERE: QUAIL CREEK STATE PARK, HURRICANE, UTAH INFO: PRIDEOFSOUTHERNUTAH.ORG
Pride of Southern Utah Pride in the Park
Pride in the Park returns to St. George this September for a day of entertainment, food, vendors and activities. This is a free all-ages event to celebrate our local LGBTQ+ community alongside friends, families and allies.
WHEN: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M.
WHERE: CROSBY CONFLUENCE PARK, 2099 S. CONVENTION CENTER DR. , ST. GEORGE
SLC Leather Pride
The Salt Lake City Leather Pride Festival is a day of celebration for the Men’s Leather and Kink community. The indoor-outdoor event is set to take place on Sunday, October 6th, from 1 to 8 p.m. at MILK+. Free tickets will be available in advance, granting access to a series of events designed to connect, educate, and celebrate this vibrant subculture. The highlight of the festival is the MR LEATHER SLUT Title contest, which, alongside various activities, aims to bring together leather enthusiasts from around the globe.
WHEN: SUNDAY, OCT. 6, 1–8 P.M.
WHERE: MILK+
INFO: SLCLEATHERPRIDE.COM
National and International Prides
May 22 WEHO PRIDE 2024, West Hollywood, Calif.
May 24 BIRMINGHAM PRIDE, Birmingham, UK
May 24 DC BLACK PRIDE, Washington, D.C.
May 26 TORREMOLINOS GAY PRIDE, Torremolinos, Spain
May 30 PRIDE PARADE SÃO PAULO, São Paulo, Brazil
May 31 Capital Pride, Washington, DC
May 31 PITTSBURGH PRIDE, Pittsburgh, Penn.
May 31 PROVINCETOWN PRIDE, Provincetown, Mass.
May 31 TRANS PRIDE MARCH OF THE CITY OF SÃO PAULO, São Paulo, Brazil
June 1 COLUMBUS PRIDE, Columbus, Ohio
June 1 DALLAS PRIDE, Dallas, Texas
June 1 DYKE MARCH, West Hollywood, Calif.
June 1 FERNDALE PRIDE, Ferndale, Mich.
June 1 SONOMA PRIDE, Santa Rosa, Calif.
June 1 SPRINGFIELD, MASS. PRIDE, Springfield, Mass.
June 1 WEHO PRIDE STREET
FAIR , West Hollywood Calif.
June 2 ALBUQUERQUE PRIDEFEST, Albuquerque, N.M.
June 2, PRIDE PUERTO RICO, Puerto Rico
June 2, SÃO PAULO LGBT+ PRIDE PARADE, São Paulo, Brazil
June 2, WEHO PRIDE PARADE, West Hollywood, Calif
June 5, KEY WEST PRIDE, Key West, Fla.
June 6, BALTIC PRIDE, Tallinn, Estonia
June 6, MILWAUKEE PRIDE, Milwaukee, Wisc.
June 6, NEW ORLEANS BLACK PRIDE WEEKEND, New Orleans, La.
June 7, NEW ORLEANS PRIDE, New Orleans, La.
June 7, TEL AVIV PRIDE, Tel Aviv, Israel
June 7, IBIZA GAY PRIDE, Ibiza, Spain
June 8, MUNICH GAY PRIDE, Munich, Germany
June 9, CENTRAL ALABAMA PRIDE, Birmingham, Ala.
June 9, LONG ISLAND PRIDE, New York, N.Y.
June 14, TRI-STATE BLACK PRIDE, Memphis, Tenn.
June 14, ZURICH PRIDE FESTIVAL , Zurich, Switzerland
June 15, PRIDE PORTLAND, Portland, Ore.
June 15, RHODE ISLAND
PRIDE, Providence, R.I.
June 15, ROME PRIDE, Rome, Italy
June 15, SOFIA PRIDE, Sofia, Bulgaria
June 18, DISNEYLAND AFTER DARK: PRIDE NITE, Anaheim
June 21, EUROPRIDE THESSALONIKI 2024, Greece
June 21, OSLO PRIDE, Oslo, Norway
June 22, CHICAGO PRIDE, Chicago, Ill.
June 22, CINCINNATI PRIDE, Cincinnati, Ohio
June 22, DENVER PRIDE FEST, Denver, Colo.
June 22, NASHVILLE PRIDE, Nashville, Tenn.
June 26, MEXICO CITY GAY PRIDE, Mexico City, Mexico
June 29, BOGOTA PRIDE, Bogota, Colombia
June 29, BRISTOL PRIDE, Bristol, U.K.
June 29, DUBLIN LGBTQ PRIDE, Dublin, Ireland
June 29, LEXINGTON PRIDE FESTIVAL , Lexington, Ky.
June 29, MARCHE DES FIERTÉS, Paris, France
June 29, NEWPORT PRIDE FESTIVAL , Newport, RI
June 29, PARIS PRIDE, Paris
June 29, PRIDE LONDON, London, U.K.
June 29, PRIDE SAN ANTONIO, San Antonio, Texas
June 29, SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE, San Francisco, Calif.
June 29, TWIN CITIES PRIDE, Minneapolis, Minn.
June 30, GAY AND SOBER PRIDE CELEBRATION, New York, N.Y.
June 30, SEATTLE PRIDE, Recurring daily until July 1, 2024, Seattle, Wash.
July 6, COLOGNE GAY PRIDE, Cologne, Germany
July 10, SAN DIEGO LGBT PRIDE, San Diego, Calif.
July 13, MANUEL ANTONIO PRIDE, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
July 19, ISLE OF WIGHT PRIDE, Isle Of Wight, Ryde
July 20, PORTLAND PRIDE, Portland, Ore.
July 21, LEEDS PRIDE, Leeds, U.K.
July 27, BERLIN CHRISTOPHER STREET DAY, Berlin, Germany
Aug. 1, MONTREAL LGBTQ PRIDE, Montreal, Canada
Aug. 2, AMSTERDAM PRIDE, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Aug. 2, BRIGHTON & HOVE PRIDE, Brighton, U.K.
Aug. 7, ANTWERP PRIDE, Antwerp, Belgium
Aug. 8, FRANKFURT PRIDE, Frankfurt, Germany
Aug. 10, CARIBBEAN PRIDE, Punta Cana, Dominican Rep.
Aug. 10, COPENHAGEN PRIDE, Copenhagen, Demark
Aug. 15, ST. LOUIS BLACK PRIDE WEEKEND, St. Louis, Mo.
Aug. 17, CHESTER PRIDE, Chester, U.K.
Aug. 19, SILICON VALLEY PRIDE, San Jose, Calif.
Aug. 25, MANCHESTER PRIDE, Manchester, U.K.
Sep. 2, BENIDORM PRIDE, Benidorm, Spain
Sep. 2, PRIDE BELGRADE, Belgrade, Serbia
Sep. 7, PARADE OF THE LGBTQ+ PRIDE OF CABO FRIO, Cabo Frio, Brazil
Oct. 24, TAIWAN PRIDE, Taipei, Taiwan
May, 23, WORLDPRIDE 2025, Washington, DC
Rising star Spencer Sanders releases Songs from his upcoming debut album ‘Almanac’
In a season set to sizzle with fresh talent and poignant storytelling, singer-songwriter Spencer Sanders is releasing three evocative singles from his highly anticipated debut album, “Almanac.” Through a tapestry woven from his experiences as a gay man navigating the complexities of bipolar disorder, Sanders presents a raw, genre-blending exploration of life’s highs, lows, and the nuanced ache of the in-between.
The first of these singles, “Rust,” made its debut in May, marking a powerful start to Sanders’ musical odyssey. “Rust” delves into the depths of depression, reflecting a period in Sanders’ life marred by the loss of trusted friendships. These friendships, once steadfast, crumbled under the weight of conflicting beliefs, leaving Sanders to grapple with the pain of abandonment.
“I wrote this in the middle of the night at my piano when I experienced a sudden loss of trusted friendships,” Sanders said. “My entire friend group decided to choose their traditional beliefs over supporting me as a queer person. ‘Rust’ details my struggle with letting go of toxic friendships in favor of giving myself space to heal.”
The song, composed during a solitary night at the piano, is underscored by the haunting motif of a music box, symbolizing a longing for simpler times, before its tines slowly rust. Directed by Brennon Harding, the accompanying music video offers a visually striking journey through Sanders’ emotional landscape, set in Sanders’ own bedroom. The hauntingly beautiful piece urges listeners to confront their own baggage and let go of toxic relationships.
Following “Rust,” Sanders will release “Iced Moonshine” on June 21. This track, representing the aches of “in-between”
moments of life, breaks genre boundaries with its country-infused sound. “Iced Moonshine” explores the allure and ultimate destructiveness of returning to addictive relationships. Sanders’ lyrics poignantly compare the sweet yet poisoned words of a lover to iced moonshine, capturing the intoxicating yet harmful nature of such entanglements.
“Sweet nothings, empty promises, and passionate pleas do not make for a healthy relationship — a lesson I learned the hard way,” Sanders explained.
The song culminates in a powerful, self-convincing mantra, “I’ll be alright, just one more drink tonight,” resonating deeply with those familiar with the cycles of love, lust, and loss within the queer community. Through this track, Sanders aims to shed light on the often-overlooked addictive habits that permeate romantic relationships.
Rounding out the trio is “Golden Age,” set for release on July 26. This uplifting single captures the euphoric high of embracing one’s true self. “Golden Age” is a celebration of Sanders’ journey out of the closet and into a space where he can freely explore his identity and future. The song radiates hope and promise, with Sanders
pledging enduring love and stability to his partner amidst life’s challenges.
“In the song, I celebrate that I’m finally able to live for my own future. I’m able to make choices based on my own happiness, not only survival,” Sanders said. “I’m settling into my golden age — an era of prosperity, art, and love. I also make a promise to my lover that we will last through all that life can throw at us.”
Lyrics like “I wanna live without drama … got a few dozen traumas” and “I’ve been a man without honor … bound to patterns of desire” artfully tie back to the themes of the previous singles, “Rust” and “Iced Moonshine.” The climax of the song, “it’s there on the horizon, a better day arriving,” encapsulates the hopeful outlook that propels Sanders forward.
With “Almanac,” Sanders offers listeners a deeply personal and universally relatable journey through the peaks and valleys of life. Each single serves as a chapter in this narrative, showcasing Sanders’ ability to blend genres and create music that resonates on a profound emotional level. As the summer unfolds, these releases are poised to cement Sanders’ status as a compelling new voice in the music industry. Q
Damn These Heels Film Festival changes name, moves to October
Utah Film Center announced a new name — Utah Queer Film Festival — Thursday, saying the change marks the festival’s “growth and commitment to representing Utah’s vibrant and diverse LGBTQIA+ communities and their allies on the national stage for queer film festivals.”
“This name change highlights the festival’s evolution and alignment with its vision of greater inclusion, intention, and impact,” the group said in a statement.
“The festival’s name change reflects our enduring commitment to Utah and our profound appreciation for the steadfast support and engagement of our attendees, donors, and community partners,” said Mariah Mellus, executive director of Utah Film Center. “Utah Queer Film Festival invites all intersectional identities to participate in the celebration of queer stories. We are honored to showcase films that reflect a multitude of perspectives and experiences, grounded in unity and collectivity.”
The queer film festival has
grown exponentially since its 2003 inception, the group said, evolving from a handful of screenings during Utah Pride into a premiere cultural event curating local and international LGBTQIA+ cinema.
“As the longest-running queer film festival in the Mountain West, Damn These Heels has served as an import-
ant platform for fostering meaningful film discussions, initiating dialogue with community leaders, and amplifying the voices of storytellers within the queer community,” the statement read.
The festival has drawn over 33,000 attendees since 2003.
Usually held in Summer, the festival moved last year to mid-October. This year, it will be held Oct. 24 through 27.
More information can be found at utahfilmcenter.org.
Rewriting Country, the Orville Peck Way
The masked singer-songwriter on bringing the genre back to its multicultural roots
BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI
Orville Peck’s sexy video for “Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other” is unabashedly queer in ways the country music genre hasn’t historically seen. In it, Peck sings his cover of Latin country musician Ned Sublette’s 1981 song as a collaboration with Willie Nelson — who, inspired by “Brokeback Mountain,” performed a solo version of the song in 2006 — but now, especially, Peck’s modern take feels like a very welcome subversion of what we’ve come to know as country music. Man hands graze man butts. Women slow dance intimately with other women. Twinks in tight blue jeans bale hay. In other words, this saloon is serving more than beer. Ever the ally, it was actually Nelson’s idea to revisit the song with Peck, who recently released the tune as part of “Stampede Vol. 1,” his first duets album. The seven-song collection also features a collaboration with Elton John
on “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)” and “Chemical Sunset” with fellow queer Americana singer-songwriter Allison Russell. “I wouldn’t say it’s as traditionally in line with the rest of my albums,” he tells me. “I would say it’s more conceptual just based on the collaborative nature of it.”
Openly and unapologetically gay, Peck released his first album in 2019, the self-produced “Pony.” Since then, he has steadily risen to prominence as one of the few modern trailblazing artists redefining country music — challenging the old notion that only straight, white people can strum a guitar and sing with a backwoods twang.
Before setting off on his “Stampede” headlining summer tour, I spoke with Peck about why he’s letting more of his face peak out of his signature face mask, what other allies can learn from Willie Nelson and the “beautiful gift” of inspiring kids in rural communities to be themselves.
As a longtime country fan, I feel like I’ve been manifesting you in various ways since I was a kid who grew up on this music. During interviews with country superstars like Dolly and Reba who I’ve interviewed over the years, I’ve even asked them, as if they had the answer: “Why can’t we have an out gay male country artist?” And here you are. What does it feel like to know that you are what so many LGBTQ+ country fans have been manifesting and hoping for for decades? Wow, that’s so lovely. Thank you. That means a lot to me. It doesn’t escape me because I was also one of those fans. I, like a ton of queer people, grew up loving country music and relating to all sorts of country, both male and female, usually especially females, to be honest. So it feels amazing because I am also one of those fans that grew up loving country and longed to see someone like me or someone sort of like me, even close to like me, making the music that I love. So getting to do this song with Willie: I can’t understate how important and full circle it is for just me as a person to know that Willie Nelson is on this track doing this song with me. It’s really affirming and really validating for me and I imagine a lot of people, which is cool. But it’s funny because I always say country music appeals to gay and queer people because it’s about storytelling, yearning, loss and unrequited love. All the classic country songs I can think of, I always say they feel like the queer experience to me. It doesn’t surprise me whatsoever that queer people are drawn to country music. And then, of course, you mix in the campy flamboyance of someone like Dolly. Exactly. Put rhinestones on it and it’s like, fuck, it’s over.
And speaking of your collaboration with Willie — it’s also such a powerful nod to straight male allyship. Totally. This term “ally” gets used a lot these days. In the climate of the world right now, where queer people, trans people and drag queens are so villainized and under actual serious threats of violence to their lives, it’s not good enough just to be accepting or friends with a gay person. I don’t think that’s enough. Real allyship in times like these [is] standing next to us with
absolutely no ambiguity and essentially saying, “We are here right next to you and we support you.” And that’s exactly what Willie did by doing this video and song. What is the impact that you hope this collaboration has? I’ve always grown up with a lot of straight guys as my friends, because I used to skateboard and play in punk bands and all that stuff. All I had around me were straight boys. They were always just my buddies. And so I’ve seen that kind of allyship in my personal life since I was quite young, which is fantastic. But I’ve also seen this sort of performative allyship where it’s like, “Well, yes, of course, being accepting of queer people, that’s the bare minimum. That should just be. People should be accepting of everyone.” That isn’t allyship. Allyship is being vocally in support and standing next to us, especially in a time like now, when we need it so much. Given that we’ve only recently seen more openly LGBTQ+ artists in country music, who gave you the courage to step up and decide to make a place for yourself within the genre? I really attribute that to my parents and my family. I never really had to come out because I think my parents always sort of knew. I have two older brothers who are both straight, and I think my parents always knew that I had a little sugar in my tank. They always made a really adamant effort to let me know that I was no different than anybody and that I could do whatever I wanted to do and I can be whoever I wanted to be. Because I think that they knew and could see that that was something that was not encouraged in a lot of queer kids. I was really incredibly fortunate to just have parents that wanted to encourage that side of me. I also grew up with this ambition to just not let anybody tell me I can’t do something for any reason. And so when someone excludes me, it makes me want to include myself even more and kick the door down and then sit at the table and put my feet up on the table. That was instilled in me so strongly as a kid by my parents. We grew up in South Africa during apartheid. I’m from a mixed-race family. I saw firsthand the treatment of people for being
different. And I think my parents just really wanted to instill in us that nothing makes anybody less than someone else.
It seems every decade or so, we go through a redefining of country music. Where do you think we’re at now with the genre? I think we are at a place in the genre that’s so exciting because there’s sort of a reclaiming happening. Because the truth is anybody should feel welcome to be a part of country as a culture and as a genre because the fact is it’s literally just built off of so many different inspirations and cultures to begin with. Country music, just in the instrumentation alone, is African, Hawaiian and European. It was built when America was in its early days of being this huge melting pot. So I think what we’re learning and realizing as a society now is, oh, wait, I don’t have to be a white straight person that lives in the South in order to be a part of this culture. This can also be my culture, and I can make it my culture, and I can be a part of it. I think it’s really cool that so many artists are claiming their place in it because it is truly the most diverse American genre, and it is for everybody. It should represent how diverse its roots are. It should be representative in how the genre looks today. And I think it’s finally catching up.
You’ve said the masks you wear as shields allow you to feel more comfortable to be vulnerable as an artist. Since we’re seeing more of your face now, does that mean you’re feeling a little safer to be more musically vulnerable these days? I do. I made the mask at a time for several reasons. I think it was partly something kind of artistic and bold that I wanted to do and wanted to see within country that I hadn’t seen before. I wanted there to be like a David Bowie of country kind of vibe and make something artistic. And then I think it also inadvertently protected me and my anonymity and started to ease my transition into success because I’m not someone naturally built for that transition. I think I would’ve gone crazy if I didn’t have that buffer. It was really helpful for me on a personal level. Also, yeah, I started to realize that it allowed me to be more vulnerable as
an artist and share my stories. It just gave me a little bit of confidence.
But it’s funny, with each album I’ve been building so much more confidence of my own, and the mask has felt less and less important to me, even though I will always be grateful to it and love it and love all the iterations of it. But I think in my personal and artistic journey to authenticity and the most vulnerability and the most openness, the mask has to represent that. As I evolve, I think that has to evolve as well.
When you first decided that you were going to wear the mask, did you foresee a day in which the mask might become a topic of conversation on social media among very thirsty queer and gay men? [Laughs.] No. All I ever wanted to do was just make one album, which I did practically completely alone and with $300 in my pocket. So every single thing that’s ever happened since I put out “Pony” has been sort of a surprise and a lovely cherry on top for me. So no, I’ve never envisioned most of the things that have happened in my career.
For the tour, have you already started the process of deciding which masks you’ll pack? Is that a torturous process? Yep. It’s always a very specific discussion with my stylist. There’s a new design, obviously, so it’s an exciting time because we get to see what we come up with color-wise and to match all my different outfits. Just on styling in general, unfortunately, I’ve kind of screwed myself because we killed all my styling so early on because my stylist is so amazing, and so every single time I have to do something, we’re like, “Fuck, how are we going to top what we’ve already done?” So there’s a whole archival museum of all the outfits I’ve ever worn and we have to look at those and make sure we’re not repeating anything. It’s a whole process.
Given that some of your shows are happening during Pride season, are you planning on doing anything special for Pride at these shows or is an Orville Peck show just basically a Pride festival? [Laughs.] Yes, exactly. It kind of goes both ways in the sense that I think my show is already filled with
pride and a lot of queer joy. Whether it’s a Pride show or not, I go up there and my main focus is just to be myself, to connect with the audience and to tell my stories. How did you arrive at the name “Stampede” for the tour and the album? Well, I always want to keep it horse-y with my album titles. There’s a little bit of a theme in my album titles, obviously. Even since the last album, I was thinking, “Well, what could I call it that’s still in keeping with my tradition with what I name my albums?” And then as I started to look at just all the different artists that are on this album, I was like, “I know exactly what this is. It’s a stampede.”
My vote for “Stampede Vol. 2” is for a Dolly duet, and also one with k.d. lang. Oh, I love k.d. Some of the original queer country that a lot of people don’t even really realize. She was a real trailblazer. “Trail of Broken Hearts” is an amazing song.
Seeing you as part of the country music genre sends a positive message to queer kids who are living through a precarious time for LGBTQ+ people. What do you hope the message is for a young boy in rural America who dreams of being like you one day? That you already are loved and there are people out there that are not members of our community that will love you for exactly who you are. The coolest thing about it being Willie Nelson, not only is he one of my idols, but there isn’t a single country music fan that doesn’t like Willie Nelson. He’s such an icon and such a legend, and so for him, more than all of these other people, to stand up and do this, I think it can give people a lot of comfort and reassurance that there are people out there that stand with us and are with us.
Something I never anticipated is, I guess, being an inspiration to, well, anyone, really. And so now that that has become the case, I take it really seriously, actually. It’s been a really beautiful gift to me to be able to hear the stories from people of just their experiences and how my music maybe has affected them or encouraged them. It’s kind of become the most beautiful and import-
ant part of my career — just feeling the impact that it has on people. So if that gets to be broadened and helps someone maybe in a situation where they feel they’re excluded, that’s everything to me. I think that’s really important. 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.
Her True Colors, Still Shining Through
Over 40 years into her influential career, Cyndi Lauper is embarking on a reflective new era — one she has more than earned
BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI
At
70, Cyndi Lauper’s
special place in pop music
history can be seen everywhere you look. Look around at abortion rights rallies and you’ll see “Girls Just Want to Have Fun(damental) Rights” signs held high. Look up at a gay Pride float and there she’ll be with her lesbian sister, Ellen. And look at a recent NPR Tiny Desk concert featuring 26-yearold rising pop artist Chappell Roan, with cigarettes tucked into her towering red wig and lipstick smeared all over her teeth, and tell me you don’t see the “she’s so unusual” vibes that made Lauper famous, theatrical mannerisms and all.
Of course, her timeless songs, which she’ll bring on her upcoming Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour, made her a household name too. It says a lot about an artist who recorded songs decades ago that have either taken on new life or speak to our lives currently, which Lauper’s do. Co-written by Lauper, “Sally’s Pigeons,” from her 1993 album “Hat Full of Stars,” didn’t shy away from putting a face on the issue of abortion rights, as it tells the story of two childhood friends — “little girls in ponytails,” Lauper sings, wistfully — and one who dies from a back-alley abortion. That song resurfaced in 2022 after the Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade, prompting Lauper to record an updated version.
These days, I can’t help but think of today’s LGBTQ+ youth
who, facing the hostility of queerphobic rhetoric and harmful legislation, need what is perhaps Lauper’s most heartening and universally loved anthem, “True Colors,” as much as I did when I came out 25 years ago. When Lauper whispers, “If this world makes you crazy and you’ve taken all you can bear, you call me up because you know I’ll be there,” her voice sounds like a warm hug from a dear friend who hurts for a whole community of people who are still disenfranchised.
It sounds that way because Lauper has been one of the dearest friends anyone could ask for — a true LGBTQ+ community ally. “Let the Canary Sing,” a new documentary that goes behind the scenes of Lauper’s enduring career, looks at her rising stardom in the ’80s and reflects on some of her most seminal songs, including how “True Colors” was inspired by her close friend Gregory, who died of AIDS-related illness. About that whispered message: “I wanted to speak to a human being in the most tender spot,” she says in the film.
“Let the Canary Sing,” which fittingly premiered during Pride Month on June 4 on Paramount+, illustrates Lauper’s close bond with the LGBTQ+ community — just look at that footage of her testifying on Capitol Hill before a Senate subcommittee about youth homelessness in 2015. “I want to implore you not to pray to God to change your kid. I’m a mom. Pray to God to change your heart so you can love and help your kid,” she said
at the time. In 2008, she co-founded True Colors United, a nonprofit addressing that very problem in the United States. As an artist and through her advocacy, Lauper has always been passionate about helping young queer people. Just by extending her allyship into songs, she made me feel affirmed for being gay and helped the closeted, quietly suffering teenager I was grow into the very openly queer journalist adult I became — the adult who could now tell her the part she played in helping me get here. So it’s true: Cyndi Lauper’s place in pop music history, off the charts, where she has perhaps made her most profound impact, can be seen everywhere you look. I’m laughing because at the beginning of the documentary you say that you’re late for everything, and you’re a few minutes late. [Laughs.] No, we’re very late. This guy that I just did this interview with, the poor bastard, took him for a walk in Central Park, and then he was like, Cyn, we’ve been sitting here talking for a long time, but we didn’t even get up to 1983 yet. I talked him into the ground. Poor thing. I watched the documentary. I cried like a baby. Your musical history is so embedded in my identity as a queer person, and so I just really felt that come through in the film. Well, [director Alison Ellwood] has a lot of heart, and when I was first approached I felt like, ah, why do I need a documentary? But we were all sitting there watching documentaries. It was like, it was ridiculous. It was the pandemic, right? You remember. And I kept saying, look, I’m not dead. There’s no reason. And then they said, “Yeah, but you’re alive, so you can make sure it’s true.” And so then I saw this docuseries called “Laurel Canyon.” It was so beautifully done, and also a wonderful story. And it was obvious that this person that did that documentary was a filmmaker. And I looked her up and I said, “Well, if I’m going to do a documentary, I’d like to do it with this filmmaker because she’s a wonderful filmmaker.” I thought, she really knows how to tell a story. I was excited to work with her.
It’s great to have it on the record, in your own words. It’s also very special to have your sister Ellen be a part of this. After seeing the film, I feel like she’s a big part of your story. When I went to Washington to sing “True Colors” for President Biden [in 2022] — and actually, I sat next to Senator Tammy Baldwin, who wrote the Respect for Marriage Act — the first thing I started to see was everything we all worked so hard for rolled back to prehistoric times. Some people were very happy, not most. When I went, I met this Republican senator that voted for the bill, Senator Portman (R-Ohio), who has an LGBTQ+ kid. I looked at him and I said, “It’s different when it’s in your family, isn’t it?” And he said, “Yes.” I said, “You’re doing right because you really see the truth of it, not the crazy people who are fear-mongers, hate-mongers, God is a white man who hates everyone-mongers.”
It’s a scary thing when you think about it. For me, as a little kid, it was a scary thing, but that’s why I guess I was asked to leave two Catholic grade schools, because when they told me my mother was going to hell, I said, “She’s not going to hell. You don’t even know her. She’s not going to hell. She works hard, loves her kids, and really tries hard to take care of them. She’s not going to hell.”
How big of a role did the LGBTQ+ people in your life — Ellen, but also your gay friends Carl and Gregory — play in shaping you as an LGBTQ+ activist? Oh no, it wasn’t that. Are you kidding? What really made me say, “OK, that’s it, we got to do something,” is when I was pregnant with my son, and the shape of a beached whale, so you can’t do much. And it was the beginning of the internet, which I thought was very “Star Trek,” like Captain Kirk, because now, you could type something and somewhere far away, someone else would read what you typed instantaneously. This was “Star Trek” to me because it was so new. And I just kept reading these letters for the first time about people, because I never had time to read anything. I was always working, working, working, working. And when I read the letters, people
were talking about feeling horrible and wanting to commit suicide because they were disenfranchised from everything — from their family, their friends, their school, their job, whatever. And then they heard “True Colors.” And I called Ellen and I read them to her and I said, “Ellen, we’ve got to do something. When the time is right, you and me have got to do something.” And then we started. Started with PFLAG. Poor Ellen, because I styled her, too. She don’t like being styled. What did she hate most about how you styled her? The mousse that gave her a pointy head. I thought it was good. She kind of liked it, but I pinned the shirt in the back a little bit. I thought it was too big, and she wasn’t keen on that. But she’s great. Always an inspiration. She is 18 months older than me, and my mother used to dress us alike and people would go, “Are they twins?” And my mother would say, “Almost.” And I used to go to my mother, “Ma, it’s not almost, what do you mean almost? You either are or you’re not. We’re not.” But oh, I was up Ellen’s butt no matter what. Whatever she did, I did. Whatever she wore, I wanted to wear. Whatever she did, I wanted to do. She still talks to me, though, so that’s good. Despite the mousse! So, you’re somebody who has lived and fought through Stonewall, the AIDS epidemic and the fight for marriage equality, and you’ve been on the front lines during all of this as an ally. And we are obviously going through a very hostile period currently for queer people in this country. You know what I got to say to that? Vote. Research your voting. Don’t just vote. Don’t just think, “Oh, they don’t have anything on the ballot.” Bullshit. There’s always shit on the ballot. There’s laws, there’s a little this, little amendment, little that, little this, and [it’s] hidden. Vote411.com — that’s what you got to print. Find out who’s running in your district, who’s voting in favor of you, who’s voting against you, and vote for the person that’s your advocate, not somebody trying to squash you.
The one thing I learned about the “True Colors” thing was that if you want to have somebody listen to you,
you got to listen to them, too. And if you share your personal stories, you might find that you have more in common than you think. You were involved in the 2008 election, encouraging people to vote for President Obama. Do you plan on getting involved with this year’s election campaigning? Yeah, I have to. Because what are we supposed to do? I am supporting Tammy Baldwin because I think she’s brilliant. She always champions families. What do you think was going to happen with all the families that there are now? And there’s all different kinds of families, and you know what? Family is family. And when it’s in your family, right in your face every day, what do I always say? Button up your shirt, your heart’s falling out of your chest. If these people got no heart, they got cold. Cold as can be. But when it’s your kid, are you going to vote against your kid, or are you going to help your kid? You’re going to vote against your sister, your brother, your cousin? No. I’m not. I’m not going to do that. Guess why? Because I was taught blood’s thicker than water. You stand together. You can wear down hate. Hate is not a good thing. There’s an old clip in the film of you talking about how you didn’t want to be an icon; you just always wanted to be an artist. It’s undeniable that you have become an icon in the eyes of many, though. In fact, I can’t recall a time when you haven’t been referred to as an icon of some sort — a style icon, a gay icon, and now you’ve been named a Lifetime Ally Icon by WeHo Pride. What
are your feelings on being an “icon” now, at this point in your career? I don’t know, sweetie. I don’t know what that is. All I know is I’ve always strived to contribute to the world to make it better. Make it better for the kids, make it better for the Earth if we can. Although we’re so stuck in plastic, I don’t know what’s going to happen. But you want to stand together. The one thing I learned about the “True Colors” thing was that if you want to have somebody listen to you, you got to listen to them, too. And if you share your personal stories, you might find that you have more in common than you think. Sometimes there’s people that go, “Oh, you are a liberal.” “Oh, you are a Republican.” But the truth is, we are Americans. That’s what we are. And these party things, I don’t know. I just know I’m an American, and I believe deep in my heart that Americans, deep in their heart, are fair-minded people. And I think that what the Republican Party used to be was Abraham Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln was a Republican. I don’t know what’s happened to the party. I’m telling you that even though you may be dismayed, don’t be hijacked. Don’t let zealous religious people force their religion down your throat.
Throughout your career, you have really cultivated this sense of individuality as an artist despite some industry folks trying to hold you back, and then I think of artists like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift… Hey, Taylor Swift. That girl, she’s pretty cool. So is Beyoncé. She’s doing all this
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different stuff. What’s wrong with that? In the documentary, you talk about how it was so segregated for an artist in the ’80s, and that you felt you could only stay in one lane musically. And look at what has happened: Beyoncé just released a country album — to some controversy, but she still did it. There’s always controversy, and maybe it will help people like The War and Treaty. What kind of progress do you feel has been made since you struggled to get out and stay outside of a box in the ’80s? Do you feel like we have made progress since, especially for women in the business? Well, I didn’t get too far because as soon as 1989 came and the people that really were advocates for individuality were all let go and fired, then they brought all these other people in and everybody was a soundalike, then it was very difficult for me. And none of the music that I made, well, actually it was heard, ironically. Don’t ask me how, but people do know “Hat Full of Stars,” the album. People do know “Sisters of Avalon,” the album, and people know “Shine.” That one wasn’t even released. But you have to just keep doing what you do, and just keep moving forward. And there’s always a way around a brick wall. And there’s a lot of gatekeepers. You just got to find the right one that’s going to let you through the gate. What has led to your upcoming tour being your last? Well, hon’, you know, right now I’m strong, and I can do an arena tour. And I haven’t done it in years, like a real bonafide arena — “go see Cyndi, it’s not 50 minutes, it’s a fucking hour and a half,” and you actually can hear a lot of music. Right now, I’m strong and I can do it. But in five years, I don’t know what the heck. Sure, I’ll probably sing. I’ll probably do something because I love singing, but I don’t know that I would have the physical strength to do an arena tour. The people that can, God bless them. I certainly am not a piano player. I couldn’t sit and play piano. I’m still playing my vocal lessons on it. But I can’t seem to play the “The
Twelve Days of Christmas,” which is my hidden dream that I want to be able to, on Christmas, play the “The Twelve days of Christmas” on the piano so that everybody can fuck up the song the way they always do, and it’s lots of fun, and everybody laughs, and you get somebody with a very strong accent who can’t sing “six geese a-laying.” I was invited into a family at 17, and the grandmother’s name was Grandma Pepitone, and she was always given “seven swans a-swimming and six geese a-laying and two turtle doves,” because she would always sing “two turkle-a-dubs, seven-a-swansa-swim….” And always somebody’s going “fiiiiiive!” — just singing out. [Laughs.] So it’s fun. And that’s what my big ambition playing piano would be, just to play a darn Christmas song. How about a new album of all original music? Here’s the thing: “Working Girl: The Musical” and “Kinky Boots” took a long time, and I didn’t want to bastardize what I was doing to take my hat off and become Cyndi, when my hat has to be on for “Working Girl.” I’m trying to get the “Working Girl” thing out — go out of town in ’25 and on Broadway in ’26. That would be a dream come true.
And then a new studio album? Well, yeah. Then I could relax for a second and write for me. Figure out how I feel. I haven’t for a long time. And I realized that when I was a kid, I used to write poems all the time. I just wrote poems and drew pictures. And now, I don’t do that, so I feel like maybe I got to just draw pictures and write poems again, just for me.
If anything, I would want to do a back porch record. Kind of simple. Go somewhere, maybe not Tennessee, because that’s getting a little too hard-headed for me. Some place where you could sit on a porch and just everybody sit around like I used to when I lived in Vermont. After school, at night, I’d run across the cow patches, try and avoid the mud pies, with my guitar. And sometimes somebody else would play your guitar, and you play glasses. You just bang on the glasses and sing harmony, and sing old songs that
sound like Grandma sang them on the porch. I’ve always wanted to do that, with a fiddle. I don’t know if that’s what I’m going to do. Maybe I do dance music. I loved doing “Bring Ya to The Brink.”
As our beloved Lifetime Ally Icon, any last words that you’d like to get out there regarding Pride this year? Well, I’ve always enjoyed Pride because it gave us the opportunity to celebrate everybody together, and straight, not straight, everybody together. Families, friend families, just everybody. And I want to wish everyone a very happy Pride. It’s been years since I’ve been able to celebrate with everybody because of work. But my sister will be with me. The last time she was with me, my mom was with us, too, on the float. It was a fire truck we were on. And my sister and I and my mother were able to celebrate Pride together, and that meant the world to me. And in ‘94, when we had the “Deadly Cyns” record out, that was incredible; they were so afraid that we were going to be shut down in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral because they didn’t want noise. It was Cardinal O’Connor, and I felt that he was definitely a man with braces on his heart. And I thought, please, please, God. Let them shut me down in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, so the headline could read “Cardinal O’Connor just didn’t want to have any fun.”
Love that you thought that. Of course I did. Are you kidding? And so I made them stop there, and I did every version of “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” from the “Hey Now” [version], to the first one, to Arthur Baker’s version, everything. Because I was like, come on, you see this battery on my shoulder? Go ahead, knock it down.
Like your sister says in the film, you’ve got that “Italian moxie.” Sicilian, my friend. Sicilian. Q
Chris Azzopardi is the Editorial Director of Pride Source Media Group and Q Syndicate, the national LGBTQ+ wire service. He has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.
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Ben Platt’s Queer Folk Reverie
The Broadway star on bringing queerness to folk music, what Pride means to him and how his fiancé, Noah Galvin, helped him embrace his body hair
BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI
The facial hair comes up because it has to. After all, the unofficial rulebook for any Americana artist stipulates somewhere that wherever an acoustic guitar shall go, a full beard must too. And so Ben Platt is all about his furry face, but not just because he’s in full-on folk-roots mode for his third solo album, “Honeymind.”
Considering this particular genre isn’t necessarily a welcoming platform for openly queer musicians (or even close to one), there is a quiet rebelliousness to Platt simply existing in that space — just ask Beyoncé, who shook up the country community just for being a Black artist releasing her rural-toned “Cowboy Carter,” a nod to her Southern roots. As for Platt, his subtle defiance is front and center on the album’s cover, as he queers a classic vintage car-makeout scene while straddling the lap of his fiancé, Noah Galvin, but it is also embedded in its songs of longing, love and more love, too.
During a recent April afternoon from his place in New York, I spoke with Platt about the reasons he’s especially proud to be an openly queer artist on “Honeymind,” how buying his first home with Galvin inspired one very special song on the album and how he really feels about being a hairy Jew.
When I saw you in Detroit in 2019, what I noticed was just how loving and loyal your fans are. They really love you. I wondered about that long history, which I’d say definitely dates back to your role on Broadway in “Dear Evan Hansen.” How do you explain the bond you’ve established with your fans? It’s hard. It’s sort of ineffable because the introduction was “Dear Evan Hansen,” and that was something where I was really emotionally burying myself as much as I possibly could, and I think I was able to really forge a meaningful connection without ever necessarily expressing my own perspective. When I started to do that, it was in the same vein of really not trying to create any kind of wall or filter or version of myself, but rather just continuing to share even more openly, as much as I could, my own experiences and my point of view. I always try to give as much of myself as I have available to me whenever I’m performing or doing anything for an audience or for fans. I think that mine
really recognize that and respect that, and I hope to keep doing good by them. I think it’s that level of transparency and earnestness. There are a lot of great, wonderful artists giving things with a lot more edge, and apathy, and other things that are not natural to me. I can only give what I can give. I’m lucky there’s people who really seem to connect to that.
On the flip side, who do you feel this level of love for? Anyone that is really vocally impressive, I fall in love with, but Beyoncé remains my number one in the sense that she is sort of guarded, and I think that’s been a whole part of her thing — how perfect and pristine she is. Within that, you can see so much unbelievable hard work, talent, vision and experience that she’s trying to share and communicate. I just think she’s the greatest live performer ever. If we’re judging by who leaves it all on the floor and gives you everything they have in their body, Beyoncé’s number one.
With “Cowboy Carter,” Beyoncé also happens to be finding her place in Americana right now. Did you two orchestrate this? Yeah, we decided on our conference call that we should both stick to the same stylistic world. [Laughs.]
What inspired your shift to folk music? It was the kind of thing where that’s just really very organically what started to come out. I went to Nashville for the first round of writing for this record, all the way back in April 2022. I’ve been working on this record for a long time, and I knew I wanted to go to Nashville because there’s so many writers there that I love, both ones that I have worked with before, like Alex Hope, who’s a writer on almost half of the songs on the album. Then a lot that I admired that I wanted to work with, like Natalie Hemby, Hillary Lindsey, Jim Robbins and Laura Veltz. I went with the intention of just working with these people who I knew were very storytelling-forward and emotionally narrative-driven and honest and melodic, and all the things that I wanted, but didn’t necessarily have a particular style in my mind of what we needed to accomplish. When I started to write about where I
was at and the experiences I was having, that’s just the sound that emerged. As it started to come out, I got really excited because it felt very natural to my style of storytelling and singing. It just felt like an organic landing pad for where I’ve sort of been wanting to return to. Then also just the idea of the super expressly queer perspective living in that sonic world is not something I necessarily have heard or seen a lot. Most of the artists that I love in that zone write beautiful songs that are very universal, but aren’t necessarily like the Troye Sivans and Lil
Nas Xs, and the people who are giving us really specifically queer content, which I love. The idea of doing something like that, but in this much more subdued kind of introspective, emotionally earnest style, was really exciting to me.
I know that you’ll get this reference because you’ve covered Brandi Carlile’s “The Joke,” but the boy you’re singing about in “All American Queen” sounds like he should be friends with the boy in Brandi’s song “The Joke.” Absolutely. I feel like hopefully the boy in “The Joke” grows up to
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become the boy in “All American Queen.” Because there are so many origin songs, I just wanted it to be like “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” and all these songs about just happy upbringings, American images, values and traditionally American terms, and the idea of writing about a queer upbringing in America where it’s purely about the joy of it and the fun of it, and there’s no talk about tolerance, difference, otherness, oppression or trauma, any of that. It’s just this super dirt road, fun, gay narrative, which was really fun and exciting to me. That’s another one I wrote with Alex. Then, of course, for any queer person, your song “Andrew,” the first single, is entirely relatable. Who among us hasn’t had an unrequited crush on a straight boy? How did that song come about, and how did you navigate your first Andrew? The song came about because I was talking to a friend of mine who was one of the writers on the album, a different writer than Alex, who I wrote “Andrew” with, but she was telling me about her child and how he has a best friend who he loves so much, and how she was getting the sense that there was a little bit of an unrequited infatuation happening and that he felt so much for this friend that she just didn’t feel was the same for him.
It just seemed like so many friendships and experiences that I had growing up in elementary school, middle school and high school. The next day during a session, I said, “I really want to write about this ineffable straight boy who is kind and doesn’t do anything wrong, and there’s no one at fault. It’s just a chemical misfire, essentially.” I love the song that we wrote, and for me, probably my first few Andrews were things I couldn’t even really name, like friends who I had that I had feelings for or love for but I didn’t know what it was.
One of my best friends in high school, who did improv and musicals with me, I just really connected with on every level. Of course, I developed feelings. It was tough, and I had nice friends around me to help me understand that it was no one’s fault, and that he’s just a good friend. He’s still one of my best friends, so it worked out.
Apart from the cover image, how else was your fiancé, Noah Galvin, part of this
album’s creation? I always run things by him. He’s very creatively smart, and he has an excellent aesthetic. He’s a great guide and he’s a great barometer. I really trust his instincts. In terms of working together on the album, he did do me a solid and star for free in a video with me [“Cherry on Top,” released after this interview] that has some of that same reclamatory vintage imagery and energy through this really nice queer lens. It was really fun to do it with him. What was the whole shoot like for that car-makeout cover photo? It was really fun. Interscope [Records] has done a great job of just really responding to my ideas and bringing a lot of creativity and authenticity to what I’m trying to do. What was exciting to me in getting on set and seeing that kind of a car, the diner that we shot in and the open road is all these really bromantic, beautiful American images that we’ve seen so many times, and just getting to use them for gay stuff for once.
It was really fun to just inhabit that world. I imagined it as a slight utopia of what it would be like if we were in this time period with this sort of imagery, to just have it also be a queer image. It was really fun.
You have me thinking about “Treehouse,” a love song that sounds like it has a special place in your life. And you get to sing it with Brandy Clark, both of you out, queer performers, taking on what is traditional-sounding folk. I’m wondering what all of that coming together felt like for you. It was wonderful. I wrote it with Brandy and Jimmy Robbins, and it was one of the first things we wrote back in April of 2022. It existed for a while as just a song that I would sing alone, and it was
inspired by Noah, and I recently found our sort of home-home, like our first real joint home, and we’ve been calling it our “treehouse,” because there’s a lot of trees outside the window, and it just felt like somewhere we could hole up together.
The song is really emblematic to me of the safe space that you create with your partner and the idea that no matter how careful you are and how safe it is, it’s always going to be a little precarious. You just have to be very protective over it. I think I sat with the song for a little while, and loved it and listened to it, and then it sort of had one of those light bulb moments of like, “Duh, of course I should ask Brandy if she would consider being on it with me,” because it came so organically from both of us.
She’s such an icon in that Americana space, and has so much authenticity in her voice. She just jumped at it and couldn’t have been easier and more excited to be part of it. I feel like my intention was not to have necessarily features on the record, but this just seemed like too perfect an opportunity to get to work with her.
Talking about folk and looking at you now, I’m glad that we’re doing this on camera because I get to see your beard, which if you’re going to inhabit this space as a folk singer, I feel like you have to treat the beard right. Very much so.
Will the beard now become a prominent part of this new era as you go on Broadway and tour? I’m going to keep it. Anytime I’m allowed to have the beard, I love the beard. Ever since I finished “Evan Hansen” in 2017, anytime I’m not playing a role where it’s expressly needed that I be shaved, I always want to have my beard. I just feel much safer with my beard. I’m experimenting with some mulletry as well, which I’ve been liking. I think it just makes me feel like myself, and like I’m not so stripped clean, and I’m a little more organic and easy. I get to put nice oils in it that smell good. Then it’s nice when I sing, because then I can breathe them in while I sing. I’m happy to have my beard. What’s your go-to beard oil? Oh, I don’t even know what is in there, but it’s like a... [goes into another room to grab it].
It’s literally called Best Damn Beard Balm. It’s a little wax-y. It’s really nice. How do you feel about your body hair in general? Have you always embraced it? I honestly always loved it. I’m a Jew, so it’s very much common in my community, especially Ashkenazi Jews, to be quite hairy. I didn’t really have a choice from puberty onward. It’s just been everywhere. I’ve always really loved my beard and my chest hair. It just makes me feel like a guy. I love to play with femininity and masculinity, and I love getting my nails done and wearing things that feel somewhere in the middle. I think sometimes I do love to lean into my masculinity, and I think the hair lets me do that. The only hair I ever felt
self-conscious about was… I have a lot of back hair, because again, I’m a Jew, and that’s my genetics, but Noah really likes it. As soon as I started being with Noah, it made me really love it and embrace it too. How often do you think about being a queer role model, and what do you think it means to your fans that you are one? I so don’t have answers or expertise that other queer people don’t have. I think I always find myself underestimating the power of just being forthright about my own relationship and my experiences. I think there are times when I get worried about, as an actor, because I’m doing both things, I experienced pigeonholing, or I experienced casting directors, directors or writers having difficulty
viewing me as not a queer character, now that I’ve been so forthright about being a queer person, and I sometimes think, should I be more quiet about it? Should I have not been so forthright? Anytime I see someone online, or in person, or at a show with their partner, or a queer couple, or just a queer young person who feels seen, or is either really happy because of the music, or crying because of the music, or whatever it might be, it’s sort of immediately dust-busts that out of my head, in the sense that it’s like, what a more important and special opportunity that I get to do to, just purely by sharing what I’m already excited and happy to share. I can make people feel seen and feel like they are safe to share those things, so I take it very seriously, but I also try to be as clear as possible that I know as little as anybody else. With “Honeymind” out around Pride, and with so much anti-queer rhetoric and legislation this year, what does it feel like to be releasing something so authentic to yourself as a queer person in this precarious moment? It feels wonderful. I think everybody has a different role in any fight or any conversation, and I feel like what I have to offer is this music and my art, and just trying to be as transparent as I can. To be able to do that right now, I feel really lucky. I just think any opportunity we have to lean into the joy, complexity and all the things that make us not just equal but superior, I think that is very important. Specifically, as a last note, we all need to be looking out for our trans community members and making sure we’re lifting them up and sharing stories and art of theirs that is, again, rooted in joy and complexity — how compelling and interesting and beautiful it is, not just the debate about identity or the trauma or the oppression. I think it’s important to just focus on the humanity and to make sure that they’re as protected and as lifted up as us as gay men are, even though we aren’t always too. 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.
PHOTO: VINCE AUNG
‘Undaunted’ concert to benefit Utah’s oldest non-profit LGBTQ+ organization
BY BLAIR HOWELL
Jazz standard “Cry Me a River,” “All I Ask of You” from “The Phantom of the Opera,” Broadway’s “Book of Mormon” medley, along with Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley medleys — just a few of the songs acclaimed performer Johnny Hebda will perform at his “Undaunted” benefit concert July 14, at 7 p.m. at the Jeanne Wagner Theatre at Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. Featuring high-energy gay renditions of musical theater and jazz numbers, the concert will benefit the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire, Utah’s oldest non-profit LGBTQ+ organization, which has raised over $1 million for charitable causes. Hebda was crowned Mr. Gay Utah XLII after the group’s annual pageant which is held in January. He placed in the top 10 at the national
Mr. Gay America last October.
After winning regionals in December, “Undaunted” includes a preview of his performance when he competes at nationals for Mr. Continental over Labor Day weekend.
Hebda is the first Utahn to qualify to compete in this prestigious LGBTQ+ pageant.
“Undaunted” is personal to Hebda. He includes portions that are autobiographical as he recounts stories of his life growing up in rural Tennessee in a conservative Mormon family to his days as a Mormon missionary, a BYU grad, and coming out as a gay activist, gay nightlife producer, and influencer, professional actor, theater and arts producer, and Five Husbands Vodka brand ambassador.
“Undaunted is a project that I have poured my heart and soul into. It is autobiographical and showcases my musical and acting talents through my favorite Broadway, jazz, and pop songs, as well as a poignant script
PHOTO: SOMER AHONEN/SOMER PHOTOGRAPHY
that I have written which will make audiences laugh and cry as I share my struggles and successes as an artist,” says Hebda.
Performing with a live band, guest artists, and backup dancers from the RiRie-Woodbury and Repertory Dance Theater Companies, he includes “Luck Be a Fella,” “New York, New York,” “My Way,” Broadway medleys of popular musicals including “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat,” “The Book of Mormon,” “Bonnie and Clyde,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and the currently-running-on-Broadway “The Great Gatsby.” Also featured is an Elvis Presley tribute.
Musical theater and guest artists include Michael Carrasco, with Broadway tour credits, Emily Wells from the Hart Theater Company, drag performances by Miss Gay Utah Eva Chanel Stephens, Ho Shi Minh, and M’Lady Wood, and musical theater actors Colton Hattabaugh, Nathan Brogan, Ren Cottam, and Trevor Dean.
An original film, “Cry Me a River,” directed by Chase Ramsey, scored by April Kerr, and starring Johnny Hebda and Jared Lynton, will also premiere as part of the concert.
“Undaunted” is musically directed by the widely acclaimed Anne Puzey, a co-owner of Audition Advantage who has directed many musical productions along the Wasatch Front and performed with several Broadway luminaries.
“Johnny is one of the most dedicated people I know. There’s no limit to what he can accomplish,” Puzey said. “Audiences will love to follow along with the varied musical genres Johnny will present. Hold on to your hats because there will be a live band, dancers, film, and sequins galore!” Q
Tickets to “Undaunted,” rated PG-13 for mild language and some adult content, are on sale at saltlakecountyarts.org
Broadway and film star Ben Platt sings
of queer love
Following the album release of ‘Honeymind,’ he tours with a concert of the same name, including performances in SLC
BY BLAIR HOWELL
CONCERT To celebrate the album release of Honeymind, Ben Platt headlined a three-week residency in New York City’s prestigious Palace Theatre, and launched a nationwide summer tour that includes a stop in Salt Lake City.
About Honeymind with gay-themed compositions: “It’s very particular to queer love in the sense that there are a lot less societal examples for what queer relationships look like or shouldn’t be,” says the Tony-, Grammy-, and Emmy-winner.
“There’s an inherent sort of rebellion and statement that you have to be making every day when you’re out in the world with your partner as a queer person, because there remain so many people who are intolerant, don’t understand, and are still fearful and judgmental,” he continues. “It requires an extra bit of courage just to engage in the relationship.”
Platt is engaged to Noah Galvin, with Platt captioning photos of the engagement ring on Instagram with: “He agreed to hang out forever.” Galvin explained, “I said ‘Yeehaw’ and then cried for like seven hours.” Galvin performed in Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway after Platt created the title role, which earned Platt the Tony award.
Joining Platt in the concert is Brandy Clark, the Grammy winner and songwriter for the Tony-winning Broadway musical Shucked. “We had the pleasure of writing a duet together, and she is such an incredibly special artist, brilliant songwriter, and icon of queer Americana,” Platt said. July 16 and 17, Eccles Theater, bit.ly/benplattslc
SONG After a tease, Billie Eilish has released “Lunch,” one of the most anticipated songs on the queer internet. And the singer’s most explicitly gay track yet.
A post she made includes the lyrics from her Hit Me Hard and Soft album: “I could eat that girl for lunch / Yeah, she dances on my tongue / Tastes like she might be the one / And
I can never get enough … She’s coming up the stairs / So I’m pulling up a chair / And I’m putting up my hair.”
The song deserves to join the hallowed canon of gay pop odes to going down, which is a surprisingly large category at this point — from “Pussy is God” by King Princess to “Casual” by Chappell Roan. Hit Me Hard and Soft, on sale now REALITY Drag Race Producer World of Wonder is setting the House on Fire. The titular small-screen series streams on its WoW Presents Plus service.
Following the pre-eminent House of Miyake-Mugler, the House on Fire reality show follows family members and the heads of the household, Yusef Mugler and Exotic Mugler, as they juggle the pressures of competition and mentoring their cohort.
The streamer’s original fare includes the stand-up comedy show House of Laughs, Grag Hearts Drag, and RuPaul’s Drag Race Live Untucked, which goes behind the scenes at RuPaul’s Drag Race Live! Vegas show. WoW Presents Plus, now streaming
BEN PLATT PHOTO BY VINCE AUNG OTHERS: COURTESY PHOTOS
REVIEW BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER
“On
Bette Midler: An Opinionated Guide”
BY KEVIN WINKLER, C.2024, OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, $29.99, 232 PAGES
Superb.
That word’s appropriate in this situation. Fantastic, that’s another. Transcendent or celestial, if you’re of that mind, or perhaps anointed. There are many adjectives you can use for a performer who transports you, one who sings to your soul. Sensational, breathtaking, outstanding, or – as in the new book “On Bette Midler” by Kevin Winkler – another, better word may be more suitable. Born in Hawaii a few months after the end of World War II, Bette Midler was named after film star Bette Davis. It was a perhaps auspicious start: despite a minor disparity (Midler’s mother thought the movie star’s first name was pronounced “Bet”), young Midler seemed at a young age to want to follow in her
q scopes
JULY
BY SAM KELLEY-MILLS
ARIES March 20–April 19
The unpredictable nature of your work can cause some barriers. Make time to overcome challenges so you can get into a better space. The world is yours for the taking, so take it!
TAURUS Apr 20–May 20
Everything is within arm’s reach if you don’t overreach. That’s not to say you can’t broaden your horizon, but knowing the limits will give you peace of mind. In the end, it’s all about balance.
GEMINI May 21–June 20
Someone is bound to deflate your enthusiasm. While the surprise may make you mad at first, recovering quickly is one
the bookworm sez
almost-namesake’s footsteps. By age 11, she’d won accolades and prizes for her performances and she “yearned to be a serious actor...” As soon as she could, she headed for New York to seize her career. Alas, her “unconventional” looks didn’t help win the roles she wanted but she was undeterred. Unafraid of small venues and smaller gigs, she “just blossomed” in New York City. Eventually, she landed at the Improv on 44th Street; the owner there helped her negotiate some minor work. Another man became her manager and secured a job for her at the Continental, a New York bath house strictly for gay men. She was hired for eight summer nights, Friday and Saturdays only, for fifty bucks a night. Almost immediately, her authenticity, her raunchy language, and her ability to relate to her audience made her beloved in the gay community. Midler’s tenure at the Continental expanded and, though legend points to a longer time, she worked at the bath house for just over two years before moving on and up, to television, recording studios, movies, and into fans’ hearts. Still, asks Winkler, “Did it really matter what stage she was on? She touched audiences wherever she performed.”
of your core skills. Get back out there and get back by getting up.
CANCER June 21–July 22
The last thing you want to see is someone who triggers anxiety. They might be impossible to avoid. You can close your eyes, or you can push them aside. Focus on a happy place and win.
LEO July 23–August 22
Ever wonder why it’s hard to stay in control? Some things are inherently uncontrollable, but you can decide how to handle yourself. Get a grip on your happiness and focus on good results.
VIRGO August 23–Sep 2
Changing the dimensions of your space is a great way to find new ideas and inspiration. Don’t be afraid to explore the wild side. There are many out there who simply can’t keep up, and it’s okay.
In his earliest words – and, in fact, in his subtitle – author Kevin Winkler reminds readers that “On Bette Midler” is a book that’s “highly opinionated, filled with personal contemplations...” He is, in other words, a super-fan, but that status doesn’t mar this book: Winkler restrains his love of his subject, and he doesn’t gush. Whew.
That will be a relief to readers who wish to relish in their own fervor, although you’ll be glad for Winkler’s comprehensive timeline and his wide, wide look at Midler’s career. Those things come after a long and fascinating biography that starts in 1970, takes us back to 1945, and then pulls us forward through movies, television appearances, stage performances, and songs you might remember – with appearances from Barbara Streisand, Barry Manilow, and Cher. It’s a fun trip, part confidential, part charming, part nostalgic, and very affectionate.
Despite that this is a “personal” book, it’s great for readers who weren’t around during Midler’s earliest career. If you were and you’re a fan, reading it’s like communing with someone who appreciates Midler like you do. Find “On Bette Midler.” You’ll find it divine. Q
LIBRA Sept 23–October 22
The balance act is one that requires patience and understanding. The path to good intentions is often paved with bad behavior, and you learn quickly from past mistakes. It’s time to be good.
SCORPIO Oct 23–Nov 21
No matter what you decide, it’s never enough for some people. Don’t please everyone or try to appear willing to help those who can’t help themselves. In the end, pleasing yourself is enough.
SAGITTARIUS
Nov 22–December 20
Repair what is broken and start feeling secure. There have been some financial and business needs that beg for attention. Your best move is to get a hold on what works and expand away.
CAPRICORN
Dec 21–Jan 19
Instant gratification comes from great theories you might be exposed to. The journey into the unknown is bound to crossover with your intimate curiosity and personal relationships. Explore!
AQUARIUS Jan 20–Feb 18
Have you ever seen a dream come to life in front of your very eyes? Whether you have or not, it’s not hard to understand the thrill of a fantasy coming true. Enjoy what is possible for you.
PISCES Feb 19–Mar 19
Regarding how you feel about a major news story, rest assured that much is beyond your emotional pay grade. Focus on enjoying the season and stay away from drama. It’s too much.
40 Chemical suffix
41 The bottom line
1 Lip service?
Muslim faith
Neil Simon’s “Brighton Memoirs”
Cut
Black to Bonheur
Open-mouthed fivesome
Barcelona boy 19 once (like simultaneous orgasm)
20 _The Brady Bunch_ episode
21 Start of a quote from Judy Shepard, who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
24 It may come at the end of a love letter
25 Where to find your first mate 26 “All I Ever Need ___” (Sonny & Cher hit) 27 Sex Pistols singer Vicious
angle (not straight)
30 Bernstein manuscripts, e.g. 33 More of the quote
Caesar and Antony
42 Sophie B. Hawkins’ “As Me Down”
43 More like Nelly?
45 Sked info 46 Chaz to Cher
47 More of the quote 51 Hightail it
52 Muss, as a lover’s hair
56 Woman of La Mancha
59 Like luggage that might be stolen
62 End of the quote 64 Greek architectural style
65 Oscar nominee, perhaps 66 Sinead O’Connor’s country 67 Trim and graceful 68 Bangkok natives 69 Chelsea Pines and Lands End
1 Nairobi’s nation
Bonehead 3 Hole in the head 4 Put out of sight 5 instant (like premature ejaculation) 6 Practicing self-love 7 Rhythmic cadences 8 Sheik’s land, in song
USARA, 180 E 2100 S Clean, Sober & Proud Sun. 1:30pm Leather Fetish & Kink Fri. 8:30pm
Genderbands
genderbands.org fb.me/genderbands
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
Gay-Straight Alliance Network
gsanetwork.org
OUT Foundation BYU
theout.foundation
fb.me/theOUTfoundation
Salt Lake Community College LGBTQ+
slcc.edu/lgbtq/
University of Utah LGBT Resource Center
lgbt.utah.edu
200 S Central Campus
Dr Rm 409, M-F, 8a-5p 801-587-7973
USGA at BYU
usgabyu.com
fb.me/UsgaAtByu
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
Thethe perils of petunia pap smear
A tale of shake your groove thang
BY PETUNIA PAP SMEAR
road to judging people is fraught with danger and excitement.
Last month, I had the extreme pleasure of being invited to come out of retirement for an evening to be a judge for the Cancer’s a Drag fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. When I first received the invitation, I immediately went into a frenzy trying to decide which pair of breasticles to strap on and what color beehive wig and caftan might be appropriate for such an important gala. I like to arrive early to events. My personal motto is “If I’m not at least fifteen minutes early to an event, I’m late.” I observe this practice of arriving early, not so much to be the first person in attendance but mostly to be able to secure a good parking space for Queertanic, my beloved land yacht. She does require extra acreage, you know. On the appointed evening, as per my usual routine, I arrived about one hour early, and YES, I was able to moor Queertanic in a most excellent parking pier.
I was ever-so-excited when I entered the building. The venue was festively decorated, and there were many fabulous people dressed to the nines milling about. The person checking me in said I was just in time for cocktail hour. With a name like “cocktail hour,” I was expecting studly men dueling with “magic wands,” or at the very least a photo exhibition of “wieners,” without buns, of course, and “joysticks” and “cucumbers.” I thought, how fortunate, it’s been a very long time since I’ve interacted with “joysticks.” I was ever-so-disappointed when, after much observation and searching, I discovered that the term “cocktail hour” meant a gathering for festive drinks and delicious snacks. Bye Phallus-shia!
Managing my disappointment at not finding “weenie world,” I put what I learned in drag queen finishing school into practice. Always look for the bright side of every situation. Therefore, I endeavored to make the best of the circumstances by loading up a very large plate with little cocktail wieners skewered with
toothpicks to comfort me in my disappointment. They were a poor substitute, but what’s a queen supposed to do?
I was then ushered to the judge’s platform, a raised rostrum in the center of the room. As I climbed into my chair, I was feeling a little bit on display. But again, looking for the bright side, from this vantage point, I was able to get a great view of all the pretty boys milling about. Waiting for the contest to begin, Marrlo Suzzanne & The Galaxy Band took the stage. I was thoroughly enjoying myself, scoping out all the pretty boys, gorging out on my heaping plate of appetizers, and rocking out to the Galaxy Band.
The music was incredible, and I could feel the deep and sensuous vibrations of the bass notes in the very core of my soul. I thought I might be having a religious experience, or at the very least, there might be a small earthquake happening. After about 15 minutes, I began to feel the need to pee, not at all an unusual occurrence in someone of my advanced years. So, I laboriously transferred my significant bodus rotundus off the platform and waddled to the “little queen’s throne room,” aka restroom, just in the nick of time before my panties would become moist beyond all socially acceptable limits.
Now please realize that relieving oneself at a urinal while wearing a floor-length caftan and breasticles is not the happygo-lucky task we might imagine. First of all, the presence of breasticles make it necessary to “shoot from a distance,” as it were. Not to mention that hiking up a skirt creates a visual barrier, so much so that it becomes a total matter of faith as to whether or not you are actually tinkling in the toity or inadvertently creating a splash pad of golden showers.
After completing a successful wiz, I returned to festivities and with great effort, arduously hoisted my bottomus gigantus back up onto the judges’ platform. The show was fantastic, and the contestants were beautiful and talented. I was really enjoying the show, but after another fifteen minutes, I realized that I
needed to wiz again! Once again, I made the gargantuan effort of going to the restroom again. To make a long story short, rinse and repeat this action three more times, and like the little pig, I went, “Wee, wee, wee, all the way home.”
Oh no, I worried! I’m beginning to lose control. My mind began to be flooded with nightmarish memories of me wetting my pants in kindergarten because I was too afraid to ask the teacher if I could be excused to go to the restroom. Dreadfully, I began to fear that surely a move to Shady Pines would soon be in my immediate future. I mentioned my fears to Michael Aaron, one of my fellow judges, and he casually pointed out that the extremely large sub-woofer for the sound system was located beneath the judge’s platform, and our bladders were receiving direct blasts from the bass guitar on the level of a 6.3 quake on the Richter Scale. Thus, the pee parade. Whew! Relief!
This story leaves us with several important questions:
1. Is strapping on a couple of breasticles what people refer to when they say, “Grow a pair”?
2. Could unused breasticles function as traffic cones to help with parking Queertanic?
3. Should I begin to wear adult diapers to such events?
4. Do adult diapers come in sequins?
5. How voluminous must a dress be to be able to conceal an accidental tinkle sprinkle?
6. Was the musical The Wiz all about golden showers?
7 Do they market splash-resistant sequin shoes?
These and other eternal questions will be answered in future chapters of The Perils of Petunia Pap Smear Q
