January 20–February 2 Volume 2
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Issue 2
Episcopal Bishops Meet in Salt Lake
Apologize for ‘causing pain’ with gay bishop
HIV Infections on the Rise in Utah New infections rising in drug users
Affirmation Leader Excommunicated Contreras: ‘My integrity, my morality and my spirituality remain intact’
Queer Sundance and Slamdance Schedules Ruby: ‘Utah is the Mississippi of the West’ Men in tutus invade Kingsbury Hall The Gay Agenda
Last Chance! Win a FREE trip to Vegas by voting in our Utah’s Best contest
News BRIEFS
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SALT LAKE METRO ■ JANUARY 20, 2005
LDS Church Excommunicates Prominent Gay Leader Quilpue, Chile—Brus Leguas Contreras, president of the Chilean chapter of Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons, was excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints on December 26 on charges of “apostasy” and “conduct unbecoming a member of the Church.” During the three-hour proceedings held in the city of Quilpue, 75 miles Affirmation Chile President northwest of SanBrus Leguas Contreras tiago, Contreras was asked repeatedly to resign as president of Affirmation Chile, which he refused to do. “No earthly court can rob me of my potential as a child of God,” Contreras told the all-male court that was about to excommunicate him. “The Spirit of God does not withdraw from those who do what is right; that is something that we all in Affirmation have experienced. My integrity, my morality, and my spirituality remain intact.” Even though LDS leaders insist that disciplinary actions are a local matter, the proceedings against Contreras were started by the Area Presidency in Santiago, Chile, which had prepared a dossier on Contreras. In the past, LDS leaders have required homosexuals to undergo horrific forms of so-called “therapy,” including electroshock aversion therapy, and have encouraged them to get married, leading eventually to divorce and broken families. Now LDS leaders require homosexual Mormons to live lives of celibacy and loneliness—a second-class citizen status, at best, in a theological system that sees heterosexual marriage as essential for living with God. Gays and lesbians who have partners are subject to excommunication, a disciplinary practice that most mainline churches long ago abandoned. Founded in 1977, Affirmation is a support organization for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender members and former members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For more information about Affirmation, go to www.affirmation.org.
Military Fired More Gay Linguists than Admitted San Francisco, Calif.—The number of Arabic linguists discharged from the U.S. military under its “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy is higher than previously known, according to a recent report. The figures were obtained from the De-
partment of Defense by Congressman Marty Meehan and the University of California based Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military. CSSMM says the records, obtained under a Freedom of Information Act request, show that between 1998 and last year, the military discharged 20 Arabic speakers and six Farsi speakers for being gay, with thirteen Arabic speakers being discharged in 2004. In total, as many as 86 specialists in a number of languages may have been discharged in a five year period. The findings update reports from 2002, when the New Republic first reported that Arabic speakers were being discharged under the military’s policy against openly gay members. The military had previously confirmed that only seven translators specializing in Arabic had been discharged between 1998 and 2003. CSSMM director Aaron Belkin said that he wanted the American public to understand the cost of the military’s policy. “We had a language problem after 9/11 and we still have a language problem,” Belkin told the Associated Press. Since the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, many have said that a shortage of Arabic linguists contributed to the government’s failure to prevent the attacks. The House Intelligence Committee also highlighted this problem as early as one month after the attacks. “It’s rather appalling that in the weeks leading up to 9/11 messages were coming in, waiting to be translated ... and at the same time they were firing people who could’ve done that job,” said Steve Ralls, spokesman for the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, a non profit advocacy group for gay military members.—JV
Arizona Faces Gay Marriage Constitutional Amendment Phoenix, Ariz.—On January 5, Arizona lawmakers decided to put a measure on the 2006 ballot asking voters to consider an amendment banning gay marriage and civil unions and forbidding cities and counties from providing benefits to their workers’ domestic partners. If approved, the measure would strike down the practice in Tempe, Tucson and Pima County of extending benefits to the partners of municipal workers. Tucson’s domestic partner registry would also be nullified. Further, the amendment would prohibit state courts from ruling the denial of benefits to domestic partners unconstitutional or from permitting civil unions. But the bill’s broad language may spell its doom at the polls, as Arizonans continue to be sharply divided on the issue
of same-gender marriage. A 2004 statewide survey found that, while voters opposed gay marriage by an almost 3-2 margin, that same margin supported civil unions. “A majority of Arizonans support a ban on gay marriage and would vote for it at the polls,” he said. But he added that he did not think Arizonans would vote to take things like health insurance away from domestic partners. His opinion seems to be reflected in a recent Arizona Republic Poll in which 54% of surveyed voters opposing the measure and 7% were undecided. May added that his organization may also be able to challenge the measure on grounds that it violates a state law mandating that constitutional measures deal with only one subject. He said one could argue that this proposal deals with both marriage and domestic partnership. Arizona law already defines marriage as the union between a man and a woman.—JV
Supreme Court Won’t Hear Florida Adoption Case Washington, D.C.—The U.S. Supreme Court declined January 10 to hear a case challenging a Florida adoption law which prohibits gay men and women from adopting children, thereby letting an 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling against the suit to stand. The suit, brought in 1999 by four gay foster parents, sought to overturn the state’s twenty-five year old ban on gay adoption, which prohibits gays and lesbians from adopting children whether or not they are currently in a sexual relationship. However, the law allows gays and lesbians to be foster parents. “It is disappointing that the court will not review the earlier ruling upholding the ban,” said Matt Coles, director of the Lesbian and Gay Rights Project of the ACLU. “There are more than 5,000 children in Florida foster care, some of whom surely would have found permanent homes if the law had been struck down.” Coles’ organization was responsible for the parents’ legal representation. Recently, several have wondered whether the Court’s decision not to hear the case has any relationship to the landmark Lawrence vs. Texas ruling, in which the court struck down U.S. sodomy laws criminalizing consensual gay sexual relations. Leslie Cooper, one of the project’s attorneys, said that it was entirely possible that the nation’s highest court wanted to wait on ruling about gay adoption until more lower courts have weighed in on the issue. “It is totally plausible,” said Cooper. “Sometimes the court likes to let their decisions marinate a bit on the circuit level.”—JV
Springfield, Ill.—After a decade of discussion and dismissal, the Illinois state legislature passed a bill adding sexual orientation to the state’s Human Rights Act, thus forbidding state businesses and landlords from discriminating against gays, lesbians and bisexuals. The bill passed December 12 on a 61-55 vote. Only 60 votes were needed to send the legislation to Gov. Blagojevich for approval. The law—which is similar to those already on the books in Cook County, Decatur, Peoria, Naperville and Chicago— prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace and real estate
Lutheran Group Votes to Maintain Status Quo on Gays Chicago, Ill.—In a long-anticipated vote on January 13, the largest Lutheran church in the United States did not recommend that the denomination begin blessing same-gender unions or ordaining ministers with same-gender partners. However, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s fourteen-member task force of clergy, laity and scholars also said it would be permissible to “refrain from disciplining” partnered gay clergy or those who ordain them (the denomination accepts celibate gays and lesbians as clergy members). The panel also suggested that the ELCA continue to “respect” a 1993 ELCA bishops’ statement that does not approve of same-gender unions as official church policy although the denomination still has no official policy against such unions. It also urged its 4.9 million members to “learn to live together faithfully” while disagreeing over the issue of homosexuality. “Rather than attempting to resolve our differences through legislative action, we have sought to place matters in the realm of pastoral care and to encourage continued engagement as we minister to one another,” a January 13 Reuters article quoted the task force as saying. “Though our recommendations do not establish new policy or change existing policy, they do appeal for respect for one another’s bound consciences as a matter of pastoral concern.” Although the committee did not call their decisions a policy change, leaders of pro and anti-gay groups within the church are concerned their decision could drive away members, particularly disheartened lesbians and gays. “It sends a pretty loud message to gays and lesbians that this church, at this time, is going to legitimize selective discrimination while claiming to welcome them,” Emily Eastwood, spokesperson for the Lutheran Alliance for Full Participation, told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.—JV
The Salt Lake Metro Website Gets Used Alexa Internet Inc. ranks internet traffic using technology similar to television’s Nielsen Ratings. The most popular site Yahoo ranks #1. Salt Lake Metro’s website is ranked number 103,418 of internet sites worldwide showing it to be have more traffic than Salt Lake City Weekly and Washington Blade. Here is a comparison of related sites the week of January 15, 2005: Utah Newspapers Site Rankings 6,192 1 Salt Lake Tribune Salt Lake City 6,342 2 Deseret News Salt Lake City 34,423 3 Provo Daily Herald Provo 43,180 4 St. George Spectrum St. George 5 Ogden Standard-Examiner Ogden 92,829 103,418 6 Salt Lake Metro Salt Lake City 157,110 7 City Weekly Salt Lake City 8 Daily Utah Chronicle Salt Lake City 267,620 307,285 9 Park Record Park City 338,299 10 Logan Herald-Journal Logan 11 Davis County Clipper Woods Cross 346,282 410,032 12 Vernal Express Vernal 434,125 13 Utah Statesman Logan 14 Tooele Transcript Bulletin Tooele 663,035 665,511 15 SLUG Magazine Salt Lake City 749,444 16 Sun Advocate Price 899,439 17 Hilltop Times HAFB 18 Box Elder News Journal Brigham City 955,532 19 Moab Times-Independent Moab 1,094,267 20 Emery County Progress Castle Dale 1,384,574 Gay and Lesbian Local Publications Site Rankings 101,814 1 Gay City News New York City 103,418 2 Salt Lake Metro Salt Lake City 191,060 3 HX New York City 209,412 4 Washington Blade Washington 5 New York Blade New York City 224,837 334,079 6 HotSpots Atlanta 335,439 7 Houston Voice Houston 342,636 8 Bay Windows Boston 404,254 9 Metro G Long Beach 524,393 10 Dallas Voice Dallas 599,121 11 Frontiers Los Angeles/San Francisco 618,702 12 Out Smart Houston 13 Southern Voice Atlanta 642,257 14 Gay and Lesbian Times San Diego 658,819 15 Out Las Vegas Las Vegas 668,533 684,680 16 Chicago Free Press Chicago 700,068 17 Women’s Monthly Washington 711,714 18 Windy City Times Chicago 747,160 19 She Magazine Ft. Lauderdale 872,106 20 Out in the Mountains Richmond
ADVERTISE IN SLMETRO.COM AND REACH YOUR TARGET DEMOGRAPHIC. CALL 323-9500 Source: Alexa Internet Inc. January 15, 2005
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Illinois Passes Gay Rights Bill
market and in the public arena, in such places as hotels and restaurants. “It’s mostly for the benefit of people in the unprotected parts of Illinois,” Patricia Logue, senior counsel to the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, told The Chicago Sun Times. However, critics of the bill have argued that it is not strong enough, as it exempts landlords whose buildings have five or fewer units and small businesses employing less than fifteen workers. Surprisingly, the bill also does not contain language exempting religious institutions, many of whom are opposed to hiring gay and lesbian employees for doctrinal reasons. “We were told as this went along we didn’t have to worry, that we were protected under the Human Rights Act,” said Zachary Wichmann, associate director of the Catholic Conference of Illinois. “But we thought we needed a specific protection in this bill. We’re real worried about how this can be interpreted by the Human Rights Department and the courts.” He added that his organization was concerned the bill might be used to force religious organizations to do such things as hire gay and lesbian teachers. Illinois is the fourteenth state to pass non-discrimination legislation based on sexual orientation.—JV
Opinion
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SALT LAKE METRO ■ JANUARY 20, 2005
What Happened to the Anger? In the weeks following the election, many people were upset with the way queer political groups and this paper were looking for a silver lining in the election results. While we were encouraged by the large number of volunteers trained in politics, donors, and allies—many members of the community felt that their disappointment and grief over being told by 66% of the state that we don’t deserve equal citizenship wasn’t being recognized. Well, here we are at the point where we need people to take that anger and channel it into other places. Will we have more queer people than ever before calling their elected officials and participating in the legislative process this year? Will every single state senator or representative become keenly aware of how many queer constituents they have? Last week, a woman tried to stop blood drives from happening in high schools because she felt the screening questions violated state law. The laws she was referring to were written in 2001 and require parental permission for a variety of subjects in addition to banning public schools from any activity that may be construed as advocating homosexuality. Among the questions this mother objected to having her 17-year-old daughter exposed to were queries about gay sex and prostitution. Where is the outrage from our community? Where are the people pointing out that this kind of conservative extremism in our laws is now interfering with humanitarian practices such as blood donation? On February 5, the state is sponsoring a celebration of marriage. According to the declaration signed by former governor Olene Walker, “Marriage is an essential aspect
of human society because it: binds [people] together in a network of affection, mutual aid, and mutual obligation; provides irreplaceable personal happiness; [causes people] in mutually supportive relationships [to] generally live longer, experience better health and enjoy more satisfying lives.” Well, these are the things that we’re being denied. Where will the anger appear during the February 5 celebration of this essential aspect of human society? We believe that it’s high time this community let itself be angry about the unfair treatment we’ve received at the hands of the conservative majority. And the best way to express that anger is by staying involved, active and informed about what’s going on among our lawmakers. In 1969, a handful of queer bar patrons in New York got angry about the routine harassment and abuse at the hands of the police force. Every year, we commemorate the Stonewall Riots by holding Gay Pride celebrations on and around the anniversary of that famous weekend. Many historians believe that moment in history to mark the beginning of the modern queer rights movement. Well, if you’re tired of routine attempts by the conservative majority to send “message bills” in judgment of the queer community and all untraditional families… If you’re fed up with not having your concerns, rights and voices heard by the people elected to represent you… In short, if you’re done being bullied, we could use a little of that anger now. Let Amendment 3 and the beginning of the 2005 Legislative Session in Utah mark the beginning of a wonderful new age in our state.
From the Editor Legislative Shock by Jere Keys jere@slmetro.com
I have to admit that the culture shock of moving from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City hasn’t worn off completely yet. While I’m determined to remain positive about the potential for progress in the Beehive State, when I first started working my way through the proposed bills before the legislature this year I had many moments where I just shook my head in disbelief. What really gets me is the almost mean-spiritedness of the conservative majority. For example, HJR 2—the legislation which would ask the legislative attorneys to evaluate how all proposed bills would affect families. “Family” in this sense means people related by blood, marriage or adoption. The bill is heartily supported by the Sutherland Institute which is quickly gaining the reputation as the state’s second most obnoxious conservative lobby (after the Eagle Forum). Look, we already know that the dominant culture here has little use for single people, unmarried couples and nontraditional families … why do we need to drive the point home again and again? There’s also the discussion about doing away with “no fault divorce” in Zion. Once married, you would stay married unless there’s a very good reason (such as abuse or infidelity). But they won’t let us get married so why should we care, right? Well, I know at least a few members of our community who were once married men. Some of them, upon realizing their sexual orientation, politely got a divorce without first cheating on their spouses and bringing that kind of pain into their families. Some of them even managed to stay friends with their spouse. Imagine, if you will, a gay man who has no desire to jump right into the sexual pool, even though he’s just recently come out—if he doesn’t cheat on his wife, nor abuse her, state law would now insist that the two remain married to one another. No, when marriages end in the state of Utah, we want to blame someone—and my guess is that in these cases, the queer person is the one who’s going to be blamed. Then there’s the proposal to ban smoking in private clubs and taverns. You know, I understand the health reasons behind this type of legislation… but I’m not buying it. Of course the legislation is popular among our dominant culture. If this were California or New York, I’d agree that it’s a health issue. Not here. In the Land of the LDS, it’s another chance for the morally superior to wag their fingers at the horrible heretics and declare them to be “sinners.” So what’s a gay guy to do in the face of so many people prepared to cast judgment through the law of the land? I’m glad to see the groundswell of support for a few pieces of gay-positive legislation. While I’m concerned that the hate crime bill (as written) may not provide as much protection for transgender community (visit gender.org if you have any doubt that transgender people are horrible and brutally attacked with alarming frequency), I think the legislative intent will be clear to any future judges. I’m not looking forward to introducing my future “mutual dependent” to Mom and Dad, but it’s a step in the right direction. Maybe I haven’t had all of Las Vegas frozen out of me yet, but I’m disappointed that we haven’t seen an introduction of any legislation that would protect our community from discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodation, education or credit. I’m disappointed that we aren’t actively trying to repeal bad laws passed in previous sessions, such as restrictive adoption rules, stranglehold limits on educational forums trying to provide for queer students, or even last session’s Amendment 3. Instead, it seems most of our community is using the approach I use to dating—let’s not ask for what we want, we’ll just wait and see if something good comes along. I wish I were a bolder kind of guy in dating, but I’m not afraid to tell my elected official what I want, nor should any of us be. Will we be rejected and defeated? Probably, for a while. But sooner or later, we’ll have reframed the debate and we will win. If you think the passive approach works… well, I’m still single.
Letters Metro Inspires Editor, Just a quick note to tell you what a fantastic job I think you are all doing! I’m grateful for k the way you keep us informed about the news that matters to us and I enjoy reading each and every issue of the Metro. All of your writers seem to find the perfect mix between being entertaining and thoughtprovoking and I especially love Laurie Mecham, Ruby Ridge and William Todd Park. But what really impressed me was the Queer Guide to Sundance in the current issue. I’ve been living here for several years and never felt like there was much reason for me to go to Park City and fight with the crowds when Sundance rolled around. Thanks to you, now I can see what I’ve been missing and I’ll definitely be making the trip this year.
Corey Arel Murray, UT
What Would Jesus Do About Gays Saying “I Do?” Dear Editor: As a straight man, I’ve had a lot to think about lately in regards to homosexual marriage rights. The popular opinion is that anyone of a religious persuasion should oppose granting gay and lesbian people access to the same institu-
tion the rest of us are in. Here’s what I’ve concluded. Were Jesus alive today, he’d be supporting equal rights for homosexuals. A close reading of the Bible indicates to me that Jesus was the type of person who criticized the wealthy and the religious leaders who oppressed societal outcasts. Jesus’ principal teachings were the Golden Rule and to embrace those whom society rejects. There is no evidence that he would have actively persecuted homosexuals. Instead, he promoted justice, equality, mercy and kindness toward outcasts, traits his evangelical followers fail to imitate. To anyone who thinks Jesus would have opposed homosexual equality, I ask: Exactly where does Jesus encourage or advocate discrimination for any reason?
Kevin Pettit Ogden, UT
MLK’s Daughter Missing the Point? Editor: What the heck is up with Bernice King? As the nation ramps up weeks of activities honoring her father, the late civil rights leader, this daughter is helping to fan the flames of intolerance by leading marches and other activities with anti-gay agendas. On March 23, her mother, Coretta Scott King,
Guest Editorial Your Voice Matters on Capitol Hill by Michael Mitchell Equality Utah Executive Director
Lee A. Schoenbart La Jolla, CA
Salt Lake Metro welcomes letters from its readers. Please email letters@slmetro.com or mail your letter to: Editor, Salt Lake Metro, 352 S. Denver St. Ste 350, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. We reserve to right to edit for length or libel. people who are otherwise not allowed to marry each other. Is it full, equal marriage? No, it isn’t. It is, however, a step in the right direction and offers couples some support in difficult times. Because SB89 has Gov. Huntsman’s support, this is a good opportunity to work with moderate Republicans and build bridges, laying the groundwork for future legislation. Finally, Rep. Roz McGee, D-Salt Lake City, with the help of homeless gay youth advocate Missy Larsen, is planning on proposing changes to Utah’s emancipation laws which would allow agencies needed flexibility in helping homeless youth, a disproportionate amount of whom are LGBT. When talking to lawmakers, treat them like you’d want to be treated. Let them know you are a neighbor and constituent and how long you have lived in their district. Tell them about your family and your experiences, especially if those experiences would inform them about the bills on which they’re voting. Tell them how you’d like for them to vote on a particular measure. Respect their time. We know that being up on the Hill can be intimating, so Equality Utah is having a “Meet Your Legislators Day” on Wednesday, February 16th, complete with trainings and information on how best to communicate with our lawmakers. We’ll even help you set up appointments with them. Citizen activists are a necessary part of the equation of each legislative session. Numbers matter. We can’t give our lawmakers the excuse that they don’t know any LGBT constituents or that they haven’t heard about our issues. It’s up to us to hold up our end of the democratic bargain and get involved in the legislative process. Short, to-the-point and respectful emails, faxes and phone calls go a long way, as does showing up on the Hill to meet with lawmakers. Equality Utah is happy to help you with any of those actions. Finally, your voice matters. Make sure it’s heard. Contact Equality Utah at 801-355-3479 or info@equalityutah.org for more information.
Publisher Michael Aaron Editor Jere Keys Arts Editor Eric J. Tierney Sports Editor David Nelson Proofreader Nicholas Rupp Contributing Brandie Balken Writers Jordan Beckstead Paul Berge Vanessa Chang Janice Eberhardt Ryan Oliver Hansen Beau Jarvis Jane A. Marquardt Laurie Mecham Michael Mitchell Rob Orton William T. Park Jim Provenzano Nicholas Rupp Mandy Q. Racer Ruby Ridge Joel Shoemaker Eric J. Tierney Darren Tucker JoSelle Vanderhooft Ben Williams Contributing Lucy Juarez Photographers William H. Munk Shauna Sanchez Joel Shoemaker Art Director Michael Aaron Designer Kris Kramer Sales Sebastian Cruz Executives Janis Gardner Distribution Steven Peterson Courtney Moser Copyright © 2005 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner, including electronic retrieval systems, without the prior written permission of the publisher. One copy of this publication is free of charge to any individual. Additional copies may be purchased for $1. Anyone taking or destroying multiple copies may be prosecuted for theft at the sole discretion of the publisher. Reward offered for information that leads to the arrest of any individual willfully stealing, destroying or trashing multiple copies. Salt Lake Metro and Utah’s Best for 2005 are trademarks of Metro Publishing, Inc. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers or staff.
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352 S. Denver Street, Suite 350 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 (801) 323-9500 Fax: (801) 323-9986 President: Vice President: Secretary: Treasurer:
Michael Aaron Steven Peterson Steve Whittaker Larry Tanner
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As the new Utah legislative session begins, it’s important to remember that our elected representatives are human beings like the rest of us. Yeah, they’re up there making Big Decisions (with oft-attached Big Egos), but as constituents, neighbors and citizens, we have a job to do. We need to communicate consistently and effectively with our elected friends so their decisions can be more informed and based in reality, not prejudice, misinformation and bombast. Equality Utah is following several pieces of legislation that affect the LGBT community: Rep. David Litvack, D-SLC, is back again with his Hate Crimes Amendments (HB50) that would enhance by one grade convictions that are proven to be aimed at someone due to their actual or perceived membership in a list of groups including ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and disability. A recent Deseret Morning News poll confirmed what we know to be true: 64 percent of Utahns, a strong majority, would like to see a hate crimes statute that specifically enumerates affected classes. Recent attempts to pass hate crimes legislation have hinged on the inclusion of the list of specific groups, especially sexual orientation. Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, an architect of Amendment 3 and Eagle Forum devotee, has said that Litvack’s bill is an attempt to “circle the wagons around gays.” Rhetoric like his fails
on several points. First, according to FBI statistics, hate crimes based on sexual orientation are nationally the third most common form of hate crime. Similarly, on the state level here in Utah, the number of hate crimes based on sexual orientation is third behind hate crimes based on ethnicity and religion. Heinous crimes based on hate and intended to send a message to an entire community occur on a regular basis here in our pretty, great state— most often against people who aren’t gay. Saying that, however, does not lessen the filthiness of the crimes committed against someone perceived to be gay or lesbian. These crimes are committed because we fall outside of gender norms; our transgender brothers and sisters are easy targets, but so are butch girls and effeminate straight men who are not gay. Secondly, hate crimes laws passed by other legislatures around the country without specifically named groups have been struck down by the courts, most notably in a recent decision in Georgia, because they are unconstitutionally vague and therefore, entirely ineffectual. Finally, the argument that identifying specific protected groups excludes people is absurd; a white, LDS, straight man who is targeted because of those characteristics is just as protected as a black, pagan lesbian in a similar situation. Another important piece of legislation is SB89, proposed by Sen. Greg Bell, R-Fruit Heights, which would create a “mutual dependence” contract administered through the State Department of Health. The proposed contract would ensure hospital visitation rights; decisions around medical issues, organ donation and disposition of remains; and a presumption that real (as opposed to personal) property bought by the parties would be held jointly. In the wake of Amendment 3, such a measure feels like scraps, but it would put us in a small group of states who offer such benefits to
was quoted as saying, “Gay and lesbian people have families and their families should have legal protection, whether by marriage or civil union.” Dr. King’s widow went even further adding, “A constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages is a form of gay bashing and it would do nothing at all to protect traditional marriages.” The only thing that will protect “traditional” marriages is for straight couples to stop having extramarital affairs and stop getting divorced. Why does the gay community want to be handicapped by a word that has a 50 percent failure rate in the straight community? As I’ve asked before, why don’t the leaders of gay communities come together in a national (and/or international) marketing effort to create a fresh concept to obtain all the civil and federal rights and privileges bestowed upon non-gays and use that word or phrase instead of “marriage”? Personal to Bernice King: Many queers, Jews and other minorities fought by your father’s side for justice and equal rights. And anti- any culture is still a form of segregation and racism no matter how you attempt to disguise it.
Cake. Cake. See See January January 24. 24.
THE GAY AGENDA 20THURSDAY Utah welcomes the world once again—today is opening day of the Sundance Film Festival!! While you’re star-oggling and taking in next year’s Oscar nominees, why not give a little love to the little guys? The 2nd Annual PARK CITY FILM MUSIC FESTIVAL will be held January 20th through the 30th. This is the world’s first film festival devoted to film music. The festival is competitive, and this year attendees can enjoy screenings of the fifty finalists in both Park City and Salt Lake City. In addition, aspiring composers, musicians, songwriters and any interested artists can register to attend the “Breaking Into the Business, How to Get Your Music into Film and Television”... an all-day seminar on Jan 22nd. Screening times vary. Park City Screenings are at the Park City Mall, 333 Main Street.
Salt Lake Screenings are at the Dumke Recital Hall at the University of Utah. Ticket prices and information are available at 435649-5309 or parkcityfilmmusicfestival.org
21FRIDAY Chandler Bing once described his great fear, Michael Flatley, Lord of the Dance, this way: “His legs and arms flail about as if independent of his body!” This is indeed either an intriguing prospect or a horrific one. Decide for yourself when LORD OF THE DANCE pulls into Salt Lake City once again. What’s better than a good step-dancing routine? A hot boy performing a good step dancing routine. 8pm, though Saturday. 2pm Saturday matinee, Kingsbury Hall, University of Utah’s President’s Circle. Tickets $35.75-$55.75, at 355-2787, arttix.com.
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25TUESDAY
Not every midsize city in the country has a resident opera company that produces four mainstage productions a year. If you have yet to experience Utah Opera, you should definitely check out their new production of JENUFA, featuring the glorious music of one of modern music’s most beloved composers. 7:30pm weekends through Jan. 30, 2pm matinee Sunday Jan. 30, Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 South. Tickets $10-$65 at 355-2787, arttix.com
Wanna take your mama out tonight and show her what it’s all about? I suggest the SCISSORS SISTERS show tonight at Club Suede in Park City. The show is co-sponsored by the Queer Lounge, so chances are you might spy your favorite gay—or gay?—celebrity. 9pm, Club Suede, 1612 Ute Blvd., 2nd floor, Park City. Tickets $20, 435-658COOL, tickets@suedepc. com
23SUNDAY Keeping the lyrical theme for a moment, the accomplished NOVA CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES presents pianists Jason Hardink and Kimi Kawashima in the music of Debussey, Ravel and a world premier by Erin Watson. Are we lucky to live in such a musical city or what? 3pm, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, University of Utah campus. Tickets $5–15, 359-0397.
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24MONDAY The always exciting Finch Lane Gallery presents its continuing exhibit by CHRISTINE DICK-BAILEY of photography investigating “societal and familial expectations in the timeline of womanhood.” I know what my expectations are. I suspect they are not the same as Ms. Dick-Bailey’s. Just kidding. Art Barn, 1325 E. 100 South, Salt Lake City. Admission free. 596-5000 John McCrea of CAKE vowed never to return to Salt Lake City after being struck in the head by a shoe tossed by an overzealous fan. They changed their mind in 2002 and performed at the Olympics and they’ve changed their mind again and will perform as a fundraiser for the Queer Lounge. 8pm, Club Suede, 1612 Ute Boulevard, Suite 200, Park City. Tickets $30, 435-658-COOL, tickets@suedepc.com
26WEDNESDAY Which Shakespeare comedy is it where the plot involves mistaken identity and longlost twins? Oh yeah, all of them. See seniors from the University of Utah’s Actor Training Program present one of the most complex, THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, this week. 7:30pm through Feb. 6, Babcock Theatre in the lower level of Pioneer Memorial Theatre. Tickets $6–12, 581-7100, arttix.com.
28FRIDAY It’s been said that the tango enables you to have a whole conversation with someone without opening your mouth. WASATCH TANGO will teach you how to speak this international language of passion at a tango workshop taught by two internationally recognized masters of the form. Bring your boyfriend/girlfriend and show ’em we roll. 7:30pm Sat., 2 and 4pm Sun., DanceSport in Motion Studio, 145 E. 1300 South. 363-9385.
29SATURDAY Human Rights Campaign and Sundance Film Festival present a special showing of LOGGERHEADS, a film about a soft-hearted drifter who wants to save endangered Loggerhead turtles but meets George, a local motel owner, and must decide to move on or risk settling down. 6pm, Tower Theatre, 878 E. 900 South. Free, first come-first seated.
See also: Sundance Queer Film Guide on page 22. More films and additional film festivals happening in Park City are on our website at slmetro.com.
For all the hipster/scenesters in their artfully faded jeans and tight t-shirts you can handle, make your way to the DIESELBOY, PHOTEK, DSTAR AND MORE SHOW. Not only will there be lots of pretty boys to ogle, but the music will be pretty good, too. 9:00pm, Club Suede, 1612 Ute Boulevard, Park City. Tickets $20, 435-658-COOL, tickets@suedepc.com
31MONDAY Don’t get too depressed, but the Legislature is in session again. This year we have a hate-crimes bill that might actually like, you know, get out of committee, not to mention a very promising bill from Senator Bell that might, you know, get us some civil rights. But you have to use your voice to make sure this stuff happens. Utah Issues is here to help— the organization will host its 31ST CITIZEN’S DAY AT THE LEGISLATURE today! Learn all about the lawmaking process and how it disenfranchises—er, I mean affects you. You’ll also have the chance to meet your legislator, but you’ll be prevented from striking them with anything heavy. 8:30am–1:30pm, Prime Hotel, 215 W. South Temple. The event is free. For more information, and to register, visit utahissues.org or call 521-2035.
1TUESDAY In addition to the trashiest royals on the planet and hundreds of years of heinous gambling addictions, Monte Carlo has given the world LES BALLETS TROCKADERO, the world’s only professional all-male, all-drag ballet corps. Well, the only one of note, anyway. More than just a silly joke about men in tights, the dancers are accomplished and the show dazzling. Better than a man in a tutu? A hot man in a tutu. I think. 8pm, Kingsbury Hall, University of Utah’s President’s Circle. Tickets $32.50–$34.75, 581-7100, arttix.com
Queer Guide to Slamdance Slamdance Film Festival, often called the ‘independent alternative’ fest will be held in Park City January 21-28. The week-long festival has physically expanded this year to include a second screening venue and new box office at 608 Main Street in Park City in addition to their Festival Headquarters at the Treasure Mountain Inn. Additionally, the festival will expand their Salt Lake City screenings to both the newly refurbished vintage movie house, The Murray Theatre, as well as the brew pub theater, Brewvies. All ticket prices will be $10, except for Utah State residents who pay $8.50 upon proof of residency. Advance ticket sales are available only through Friday, January 14. The festival has continued to grow since it first emerged in 1995. Submissions for 2005 reached nearly 2,800 and came from over three-dozen countries. As always, the festival is ‘by filmmakers for filmmakers’ and as such all programming of competition films is done by a committee of filmmakers, including Festival alumni. According to Vanessa Sibbald, Slamdance Festival Publicist, queer offerings this year are slim. “We don’t have many this year, but they are good ones,” she said. Here are the films she picked out for gay and lesbian audiences: MULBERRY COMMONS GALLERY SHORT
An array of brainy, distracted and cultish
students at a New England boarding school attempt to parse the intellectual banter of a real live “out” gay man. Mulberry Commons is an ongoing serial on the gender-bending sketch comedy “Pretty Things.” DIRECTOR: MICHAEL LUCID WRITER: MICHAEL LUCID, ADAM GREENBERG MUSIC: MICHAEL LUCID, AMANDA BARRETT CAST: MICHAEL LUCID SHOWTIMES: SAT, JAN 22 @10:00AM SUN, JAN 23 @3:30PM THU, JAN 27 @12:30PM PLAYING WITH: AFTERNOON, OIL AND WATER
ON THE OUTS NARRATIVE COMPETITION FEATURE
On the Outs is a dramatic narrative feature based upon the real stories of girls from the streets and juvenile jail, who lent their voices and unique stories to the filmmakers. These are girls who struggle with all the highs and lows of teenage life in an innercity world that makes its own rules. The film follows the lives of three central characters from the same Jersey City neighborhood: Oz, 17, is a tough lesbian drug dealer with her own corner and the street’s respect, who struggles to keep her family intact. Suzette, the sheltered 15 year old daughter of a single mother, whose first teenage crush has life changing repercussions, and Marisol, 17, a single mother who fights both her own demons and the uncompromising world of foster care to keep her child. DIRECTOR: LORI SILVERBUSH, MICHAEL SKOLNIK PRODUCER: MICHAEL SKOLNIK, LORI SILVERBUSH WRITER: LORI SILVERBUSH DP: MARIANA SANCHEZ DE ANTUNANO EDITOR: MARTHA SKOLNIK MUSIC: RICARDO LEIGH, BRIAN SATZ CAST: ANNY MARIANO, JUDY MARTE, PAOLA MENDOZA, DOMINC COLÓN, CLARENCE “DON PARMA” HUTCHINSON
Pygmalian Presents ‘Cakewalk’ A Semi-Fictional Account of a Historical Romance
UPCOMING
by Eric J. Tierney
FEBRUARY 4-5 – Wizardry, Rire Woodbury Dance Company. FEBRUARY 6 – Superbowl Sunday FEBRUARY 16 – Meet the Legislators Day, Equality Utah. FEBRUARY 20 – Season 2 of “L-Word”
There are some who would argue that Lillian Hellman was a provocateur. Her work as a playwright and her character as a woman were always fodder for controversy: after all, she railed against big business at the end of the Great De-
eric@slmetro.com
SLEDGE: THE UNTOLD STORY MIDNIGHT SERIES
A ‘mocumentary’ on the rise and fall of Chip and Dales dancer turned martial arts action star, Francis Allen Sledgewick, AKA Frank Sledge. When fame and fortune caused Frank to lose his sense of what’s truely important, he realized he’s going to have to get in touch with his roots if there’s ever going to be a comeback. The action star’s best friend is gay. DIRECTOR: BRAD MARTIN PRODUCER: NINA YANG, TODD GROSSMAN, ZACHARY KAHN WRITER: DAVID LEITCH DP: BRIDGER NIELSON EDITOR: ART CHUDABALA MUSIC: CHRISTOPHER LENNERTZ CAST: DAVID LEITCH, CARRIE-ANNE MOSS, HOLMES OSBORNE, CHRIS PALERMO, MITCHELL GAYLORD, HUGO WEAVING SCREEN TIMES: SUN, JAN 23 @ 10:00AM TUE, JAN 25 @ 11:30PM
WHAT GROWN UPS KNOW GALLERY SHORT
Astonishing acting performances highlight this story of a bizarre love triangle between a teenage boy, his childlike, ailing mother, and the lonely manager of a desolate caravan park. DIRECTOR: JONATHAN WALD PRODUCER: JOLYON HOFF, CAROLINE SAGE, JONATHAN WALD WRITER: JONATHAN WALD DP: ANNA HOWARD EDITOR: MILENA ROMANIN MUSIC: BEN FINK CAST: STEPHEN JAMES KING SHOWTIMES: SAT, JAN 15 @7:30PM SUN, JAN 23 @10:00AM TUE, JAN 25 @2:00PM FRI, JAN 28 @12:30PM PLAYING WITH: THE KEEP, NEIGHBORS, LAWN, NEVER EVEN
More film info at www.slamdance.com
with Richins throughout the rehearsal process, sharing intimate details of his life with Hellman and shading in parts of his personality to enrich and deepen Richin’s performance. The young actor has been making a name for himself lately, having appeared in Pygmalion’s much talked about production of Popcorn earlier this season, as well as with companies such as the Salt Lake Acting Company. The production is directed by Salt Lake Theatre veteran Fran Pruyn and stars acclaimed Utah actress Reb Fleming as Hellman. Physically, the show is highly stylized and theatrical—one of its features is heavy use of projection and mixed media: one sequence, for example, will be filmed in advance and then screened in the midst of the evening. Also featured throughout is music created by Carly Simon for the original production at American Repertory Theatre in 1993. Pygmalion Productions has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, and is coming into its own as one of Salt Lake’s most challenging and innovative companies. Popcorn is rivaled only by Tooth and Nail’s production of Pains of Youth for controversy and buzz this season, and the continually diverse programming choices of the company indicate that it’s being led with vision. Sounds like just the group to take on Hellman and all her varied passions.
JANUARY 20, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 19
pression (The Little Foxes), indicted the American government and people for not intervening sooner in the desperate situation in Europe during World War II (Watch On the Rhine, The Searching Wind), and was among the first playwrights to directly confront the devastating effects of homophobic innuendo and rumor (The Children’s Hour). But Hellman was also a lover. Her long relationship with Dashiell Hammett is the stuff of legend and has been chronicled many times before. But a play opening in a new production by Pygmalion Productions on February 4 details another relationship. Peter Feibleman met Hellman when he was 28 and she was 53, shortly after Hammert’s death. His play Cakewalk is the story of their tumultuous relationship, which lasted until Hellman’s death in 1984. The first act deals with Hellman and Feibleman’s first summer together on Martha’s Vineyard, while the second chronicles the rest of their affair. According to Lane Richins, who is cast as Feibleman, his character in the play is an amalgam of real and fictional elements, a blend which Feibleman describes as “artistic truthfulness.” The author has been in constant touch
SHOWTIMES: SAT, JAN 22 @9:00PM SUN, JAN 23 @NOON MON, JAN 24 @6:00PM THU, JAN 27 @NOON PLAYING WITH: LOWER EAST SIDE STORIES: SOFIA