Metro, Volume 2, Issue 4

February 17—March 2 Volume 2

■

Issue 4

McCoy Elected First Gay State Senator Conservatives challenge his residency, but fail

HIV Super-Strain Found in New York Drug resistant virus discovered in meth user

Jane Marquardt to Run for City Council Rocky publicly backs her candidacy

Theft and Drugs in the Royal Court Organization answers community questions Hate Crime Bill Defeated in Senate Committee Supporters: ‘Bill not dead yet’ Jere: ‘Utah, a Pretty Great State to be Gay’ SpongeBob Eludes Ruby’s Gaydar Comics The Gay Agenda

2

■

SALT LAKE METRO ■ FEBRUARY 17, 2005

FEBRUARY 17, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 3

News NATIONAL AND WORLD

Focus on the Family Seeks Colorado Gay Marriage Ban

Empire State May Legalize Gay Marriage

Colorado Springs, Colo.—The Coloradobased evangelical ministry Focus on the Family is working to see on the 2006 state ballot a constitutional amendment illegalizing same-gender marriage, according to ministry officials.

Although the state has outlawed gay marriage since 2000, Tom Minnery, Focus on the Family’s vice president of public policy, said an amendment was needed to prevent the statute from being overturned or challenged in the courts.

“We’ve found it’s a better thing to get it written into the Constitution,” he told the Denver Post.

According to Minnery, the group plans on gathering voters’ signatures to put the amendment on the state referendum as opposed to lobbying the Democrat-controlled legislature to refer it to the ballot.

He also said his group is planning to support similar measures in approximately fifteen states during the next two years.

Denver lawyer Julie Tolleson, spokesperson for the lesbian and gay lobbying group Equal Rights Colorado, called the proposed measure “another hateful and divisive ballot fight.”

“In a time with all of these important policy issues, people just can’t get gays and lesbians off their minds,” she said.

Colorado has been a hotbed for debates on gay rights issues since 1992, when it was branded “the hate state” for passing Amendment 2, which sought to bar the passage of laws protecting citizens from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the legislation four years later.—JV

New York, N.Y.—In a watershed ruling delivered Feb. 4, Justice Doris Ling-Cohan said the New York Constitution guarantees all citizens, including gays and lesbians, the right to marry the person of their choice.

“Same-sex couples are entitled to the same fundamental right to follow their hearts and publicly commit to lifetime partnership with the person of their choosing,” the judge wrote, adding that the “recognition that this fundamental right applies equally to same-sex couples cannot legitimately be said to harm anyone.” Her ruling, she said, would take effect in New York County within 30 days unless the city’s officials appealed.

One day after the ruling, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he would order the decision appealed. Although a supporter of same-gender marriage rights, Bloomberg said he wanted to obtain a definitive ruling in order to prevent a situation similar to San Francisco’s, when Mayor Gavin Newsom ordered clerks to issue marriage licenses to same-gender couples. The mayor’s actions were widely criticized and his order overturned four weeks later, thus nullifying almost 4,000 same-gender marriages.

“We don’t want that happening here,” Bloomberg said on WABC 770 AM, his radio show. “We want the courts to say with finality and certainty what the law is.”

While gay rights groups in New York have praised the court’s decision, some, like state Senator Tom Duane, an openly gay Democrat, have called Bloomberg’s decision “cowardly.”

“He should not file those papers to appeal,” the Dallas Voice quoted him as

4

■

SALT LAKE METRO ■ FEBRUARY 17, 2005

Classic Contemporary

Lindsey Kraatz

Gorgeous contemporary home with open floor plan and spectacular views. Great for entertaining ! 10 min. to downtown.

(801)-201-3571 lindseyrealestate@comcast.net

Visit CindyWood.com or call (801)-277-5445

saying. “He should stand with us during this, the most important civil rights battle we have been involved with.”

The state’s seven member Court of Appeals, which will now hear the case, has been described as divided between conservative and liberal judges. Several expect moderate Albert Rosenblatt will cast the decisive vote in the final decision.—JV

Gay Virginia Senator Challenges Anti-Gay Legislation Richmond, Va.—Senator Adam Ebbin, the first openly gay member of the Virginia General Assembly, has been instrumental in weakening state bills seeking to prevent gays and lesbians from adopting children and gay-straight alliances from meeting on campus. Now, he says he’s turning his attention to two more anti-gay bills up for consideration this legislative session: one that seeks to create license plates promoting “traditional marriage” and another that creates a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

The state representative—who represents parts of Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax—strongly criticized the proposed constitutional amendment on Feb. 10.

“I will not stand by while this body uses gays and lesbians as scapegoats for what has happened to the institution of marriage,” he said. “What are we defending marriage from? Are we defending it from adultery, which is still a crime in Virginia?

How can we blame gays and lesbians for those who have broken their vows to God and their spouse?”

Considered one of the harshest in a slew of proposed anti-gay marriage amendments in the 2005 legislative session, Virginia’s seeks not only to ban gay marriage, but civil unions and even private contracts between same gender partners.

This year, Ebbin helped weaken a bill originally designed to keep gays and lesbians from adopting children. After passing through the House Health, Welfare, and Institutions Committee, the ban was replaced with a requirement that pre-adoption home studies include reports on whether “the petitioner is known to engage in cur-

rent voluntary homosexual activity.”

Ebbin also played a leading role in weakening a measure that sought to ban Gay-Straight Alliances from public schools by pointing out its potential for infringing on students’ constitutional rights.—JV

Washington Passes AntiDiscrimination Bill Olympia, Wash.—In a 61-37 vote that included support from six Republicans and the entire Democratic caucus, the state House of Representatives passed the Anderson Murray Anti-Discrimination Bill (HB 1515) on Feb. 11. If it passes the senate, Washington will become the 17th state to prohibit discrimination in housing, insurance and employment based on sexual orientation.

This marks the fifth time in the past nine years that the bill has passed the House. It now goes to vote in the State Senate where gay rights groups are hopeful it will pass, even though the legislative body adjourned last year before the measure could come to a vote.

“While we are confident that the AntiDiscrimination bill will pass the Senate, we are not taking anything for granted,” said George Cheung, Co-Chair of Equal Rights Washington. “We will work night and day until the Senate acts.”

During the brief floor debate only one representative, Dan Newhouse, R-Sunnyside, Yakima County, opposed the measure.

While maintaining the unacceptability of all forms of discrimination he said that churches should reserve the right not to hire gays and lesbians if their religion opposes homosexuality.

Under current state law, people cannot be discriminated against because of race, national origin, creed, sex, marital status or sensory, mental or physical handicap.

Additionally, nine counties and cities including Seattle have passed local laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation.—JV

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Discharges Down in 2004 Washington, D.C.—Department of Defense figures released Feb. 11 indicate that the number of military discharges under the controversial “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy have decreased 15 percent from last year and by almost half since 2001.

Last year, 653 servicemembers, including 325 soldiers, 59 Marines, 177 sailors and 92 airmen, were discharged under the policy which prohibits gay men and lesbians from disclosing their orientation while serving.

The total represents the lowest number of such discharges in a decade and the second lowest amount in the past twenty years.

“The continued drop in ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ discharges at a time of war clearly shows that ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is a law we don’t need,” said Kathi Westcott, Senior Counsel for Law and Policy of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to opposing discrimination against gays in the armed forces. “These numbers clearly show that military commanders value good servicemembers during a time of war, whether the servicemembers are gay or straight.”

“The numbers are down because, in a time of war, we need the best and the brightest that we can get,” added Sharon Alexander, a SLDN lawyer. “And the best and brightest include gay soldiers.”—JV

Possible ‘Super-Strain’ of HIV Found in New York know how to diagnose HIV in its earliest stages and where to refer people so that New York, N.Y.—Health officials in New new infections are properly worked up York and around the world are conand treated.” cerned about the spread of a new strain Over the weekend, more possible of HIV that is resistant to multiple drugs cases of the super strain seem to have and progresses quickly to AIDS. The New been found in Boston and New York, York Department of Health and Mental although some in the scientific commuHygiene announced on Feb. 11 that they nity warn against hysteria. Many more had diagnosed a patient with what is betests need to be conducted to determine ing called in the media the “super strain” if the strains from the different people of HIV. are the same, said Dr. David Ho, who diA man in his mid-40s was diagnosed rects the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research in December 2004 with the new strain, Center in Manhattan. The Diamond 3-DCR HIV. Officials say the man had Center is conducting some of the studies unprotected anal sex with hundreds of in collaboration with the New York City men while using methamphetamines Department of Health. While some find(crystal meth) since becoming infected. ings may be available in a week, others Strains of 3-DCR will take longer.

HIV are resistant “What we can’t to three of the four prove is that this is available types of a supervirus,” Dr. antiviral drugs that Ho said. “A lot of are most compeople are asking monly prescribed: for data that we nucleoside reverse either have not transcriptase disclosed or we inhibitors, nonare working on. It nucleoside reverse could be that the transcriptase inman is genetically hibitors, and proteprone to have a ase inhibitors. That rapid progresmeans that the sion.” strain is resistant Roger Pomerto 19 of the 20 antz of Thomas —Health Commissioner licensed anti-retroJefferson Universiviral drugs. ty in Philadelphia Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH This strain also told Britain’s The caused a rapid Observer, “You’ve onset of AIDS, the got to really prove health department said. Usually full something before you go on CNN and blown AIDS occurs more than ten years scream about a super-strain.” While after initial infection with HIV. In this other medical and scientific community patient’s case, onset of AIDS appears members have said in the worldwide to have occurred within two to three press that until evidence of a supermonths, and at most 20 months, after strain is published in medical journals, HIV infection. reports are unverified and not a major Health Commissioner Thomas R. Friecause for alarm. den, MD, MPH said, “This case is a wakeDr. Frieden defended his department’s up call. First, it’s a wake up call to men who decision to issue a warning on Friday. have sex with men, particularly those who “Everyone who hears this, their first may use crystal methamphetamine.” thought is either it can’t be true or, if it is, “Now we’ve identified this strain of it can’t be that significant,” Dr. Frieden HIV that is difficult or impossible to treat said. “But the more you hear about it, the and which appears to progress rapidly to more concerned you become.”

AIDS,” continued Freiden. “This com“One of our really core values is that munity successfully reduced its risk of we take a great deal of care and pride HIV in the 1980s, and it must do so again in what we say,” Dr. Frieden continued. to stop the devastation of HIV/AIDS and “We don’t go out and say things unless the spread of drug-resistant strains.” we have reasonable certainty that what “We believe that the transmission of we say is correct.” treatment-resistant HIV was a disasStill, whether the super-strain can be ter waiting to happen, particularly in verified or not, health officials everycommunities where safer sex is not where are encouraging the gay compracticed regularly and in light of people munity, and other at-risk communities, using drugs like crystal meth,” said Dr. to return to safer sex practices and to James Braun, President of the Physicians address the issues of reckless decision Research Network. “All primary care making when combining drugs with providers in acute care settings need to sexual activity.

by Jere Keys

jere@slmetro.com

“This case is a wake-up call. First, it’s a wake up call to men who have sex with men, particularly those who may use crystal methamphetamine.”

FEBRUARY 17, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 5

News LOCAL

Senate Hate Crime Bill Defeated Proponents: Hate Crime Legislation ‘Not Dead This Session.’ hate crime laws are laws that discriminate against certain people who are penalized based on the things they were thinking State Senator Karen Hale’s version of this while committing a crime,” said Gayle Ruzyear’s hate crime bill, SB181—Criminal icka of the Utah Eagle Forum. “I want you to Code Amendments, failed February 8 in the Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and know that I would be just as much against this bill if you took out the words ‘sexual Criminal Justice Committee by a 3-4 vote. orientation,’ because that’s not what this is Hale, a Salt Lake Democrat, joined forces about. It’s about correct principles.” with Fruit Heights Republican Greg Bell to Statements of opposition sponsor the bill in the SenSENATE BILL 81 from the conservative lawate. Bell also sponsored the makers who voted against failed Mutual Dependents VOTING FOR THE BILL: the bill included worries that Benefits Contract bill. This is Ron Allen, D-Stansbury Park, Pait would encourage teaching the ninth consecutive year trice Arent, D-Salt Lake City, Greg tolerance of homosexuals in Bell, R-Fruit Heights that hate crime legislation schools, diminish rights of advocates have been workVOTING AGAINST THE BILL: those not mentioned in the ing to get their bills through Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, Mark protected groups, and allow the legislature.

Madsen, R-Lehi, Dave Thomas, Rprosecutors to stack charges After nearly two hours of South Weber, Al Mansell, R-Midvale against offenders. impassioned debate and A similar bill by Rep. David public comment, the commitLitvak, D-Salt Lake City—House Bill 50, tee, chaired by Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Criminal Penalty Amendment— is stalled Jordan, declined to approve the bill and alin the House Rules Committee awaiting a low it to go to a floor vote. This year, much formal committee assignment but far from of the debate from conservative opponents dead according to supporters. Previous focused on the feeling that the proposed hate crime bills have been left to die in the legislation would give “special rights” to Rules Committee in years past. homosexuals. Supporters of the bill, from “If the citizens of this great state do not law enforcement groups to victims of act, the hate crimes bill dies. Please call prejudice-based crimes, pled with state your senator and representative to tell lawmakers to give them a necessary and them your stance on hate crime legislaeffective tool for combating hate crime. tion,” pled Josh Nowitz, director of comUtah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff munity affairs of Utahns Together Against and a committee of law enforcement ofHate. “The bill is not dead this session. This ficials and prosecutors have lobbied for is definitely a set-back, but not the last you hate crime legislation this year, including will see of this issue this session.” a rally the day prior on the Capitol Hill A Deseret News poll conducted earlier grounds. The Utah Eagle Forum has made this year showed that 64 percent of Utahns defeating hate crime legislation one of its favor hate crime laws compared to 31 pertop priorities. cent that oppose them.

“They talk about discrimination, but

by Michael Aaron

michael@slmetro.com

6

■

SALT LAKE METRO ■ FEBRUARY 17, 2005

Protect Your Nonprofit Funds Utah Pride, the People With AIDS Coalition of Utah, the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire … the thing they all have in common, besides being Utah-based nonprofit organizations, is that they’ve all experienced problems with theft of corporate funds.

The GLBT Public Safety Liaison Committee and The Center are teaming up to help write a new chapter for Utah nonprofit organizations, one in which those kinds of opportunistic thefts will be a thing of the past.

Facilitated by Diane Hartz-Warsoff, executive director of the Utah Nonprofits Association, and Valerie Larabee of The Center, the workshop, “Financial Controls for GLBT Community Groups and Nonprofits,” will address the types of policies and procedures necessary to guard against opportunistic theft.

All too often our nonprofits are led by

good-hearted people who lack the experience, knowledge, or foresight to properly prevent mishandling donations. When opportunist theft funds occurs, it often results in a lack of trust from the community and can seriously damage the future fundraising capabilities of the organization.

The workshop will focus on setting up cash handling and checking account procedures, safe guards, the federal and state legal implications of nonprofit status, state charitable solicitation permits, organizational oversight (reports, auditing, etc.), and how to report fraud, should it occur.

The workshop, which is free of charge, is intended for all community groups big or small, their board members, elected officers and especially their financial officers.

It will take place at The Center (355 N. 300 West) Tuesday, March 15 from 7-9pm. —JK

Gov. Jon Huntsman signs a document appointing Scott McCoy (right of the governor) as senator of District Two, Salt Lake City. To the right of McCoy are his parents and partner, Mark Barr.

Scott McCoy Elected to Replace State Sen. Julander

by Michael Aaron michael@slmetro.com

Utah Democratic delegates met Saturday, Feb. 5 to replace outgoing State Senator Paula Julander and elected Scott McCoy, 34, Campaign Manager of the Don’t Amend Alliance and board member of Equality Utah, as the party’s nominee. Julander left her seat because of illness and had asked delegates to elect her husband, longtime Democratic leader Rod Julander, to fill her remaining term.

“I had been thinking of running for public office for a while,” said McCoy to the Salt Lake Metro, “I made the decision [to run for the vacancy] on Friday night before the delegate meeting.”

Three candidates ran for the seat: Julander, McCoy and former Congressional candidate Brian Watkins. In the first round of balloting, no candidate had garnered the required 60 percent of the vote, forcing a runoff between top vote-getters Julander and McCoy. Watkins pledged his support to McCoy as the delegates filed to get their final ballot. McCoy won the race with 44 votes over Julander’s 41 (a simple majority was required on final ballot).

In his speech to the delegates, McCoy offered that he was a “new generation” Democrat who will help the party revitalize and garner new seats and influence.

“I saw an opportunity to serve the community and the constituents of District 2,” McCoy said about his decision to seek the office. “I thought it would be possible to bring a new energy to the Capitol.”

The results came as a surprise to many who had assumed Julander’s husband would easily take the election, including Rod Julander himself. “I hadn’t planned on a concession speech,” he told delegates as he congratulated McCoy. Utah State Senate Assistant Minority Whip Sen. Gene Davis welcomed McCoy to the State Senate’s Democratic caucus.

McCoy becomes the second out gay or lesbian legislator on the Hill, joining Rep. Jackie Biskupski, D-Salt Lake City. He is one of only eight Democrats in the State Senate.

There are 21 Republican senators.

This week, Jane Marquardt also announced that she would run for Salt Lake City Council (see story, page 7). McCoy commented, “It’s very exciting to see LGBT individuals stepping up and running for public office. It’s wonderful to have allies making our laws, but it’s even better to have GLBT people in the mix as well.”

As news of McCoy’s selection spread, most reactions focused on McCoy’s sexual orienta-

tion. When the Salt Lake Tribune contacted Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, McCoy’s political rival on the Amendment 3 campaign, Buttars replied with an incredulous, “The gay?” after which he would not comment.

Gov. Huntsman swore McCoy into office on Monday, Feb. 7 and McCoy immediately took on assignments with the Health & Human Services, Natural Resources, Agriculture & Environment, and Economic Development & Human Resources committees.

McCoy’s first week was marred by controversy about residency requirements.

Robin Wright, a Salt Lake County Republican Central Committee member who advocated for Amendment 3, alerted media and senate leadership to a possible reason to expel McCoy on constitutional grounds. The Utah Constitution requires all senators to have lived in their district for six months and in the state for three years prior to filing, although the law makes no mention of how it is applied to midterm replacements. It could be argued, according to Wright, that McCoy had to be a resident for three years prior to the last time Julander filed for election in March 2002.

Democrats were quick to accuse Wright and other Republicans of anti-gay reactionism.

“If you ask me is it because he’s gay, I have to say yes,” Senate Minority Leader Mike Dmitrich, D-Price, said of the questions about McCoy’s eligibility. “And I think that’s unfortunate.”

Although Republicans have 21 seats in the Senate and it would take only 20 votes to oust McCoy, Republican leadership announced that they would not challenge McCoy’s appointment. The Salt Lake Tribune reported that Buttars even patted McCoy on the back and told him not to worry about being kicked out.

“I’ve been treated from civilly to outright friendly by even the conservative legislators,” McCoy commented about his reception during his first week. “I’m just another senator to them.”

McCoy has vowed to be more than a single-issue legislator, representing more than just gay rights causes. He also promised to continue Julander’s work on Capitol Hill, especially to continue the fight for legislation to require insurance companies to cover contraceptives in prescription plans, also known as the “pill bill.” Julander had worked tirelessly on the issue.

“I’m going to be up here fighting for [the community] and then rolling up my sleeves to go to work and trying to be a good example,” said McCoy. Jere Keys contributed to this article.

Marquardt’s Campaign Starts in Controversy lesbian city employees. She says she expects her partner Tami to get the same benefits as other spouses of City Council members.

The start of Jane Marquardt’s own campaign Much of her campaign strategy may come for the District 3 Salt Lake City Council seat from an election training retreat Marquardt caught even her off guard. will attend in March. The “[Salt Lake City Mayor four-day session will be JANE MARQUARDT Rocky Anderson] called coordinated between me and asked if it was (pronounced MAR-court) Equality Utah and the OK to disclose that I was Age: 52 Victory Fund, a national going to run,” Marquardt Birthplace: Ohio (moved to Utah in 1960) group dedicated to helptold Salt Lake Metro in Occupation: Attorney, Marquardt and Fadel, ing gays and lesbians win a Feb. 8 interview. She Centerville, UT; Community Activist elected office. From there woke to find a Deseret Education: B.S. in Political Science, Unishe hopes to tap into Morning News frontversity of Utah; S.J. Quinney College of the local gay and lesbian page article saying Law, J.D.; L.L.M in Taxation, University community for strong Anderson supported of San Diego College of Law support. “I hope they’ll Marquardt, a lesbian be enthused about my and non-Mormon, in the hope there would be more religious diversity campaign. I’ll be someone that understands GLBT issues, that knows what it’s like to have on the council come Election Day. A storm a gay family in this state ... you won’t have to of local media attention followed, asking explain that to me, as you would others.” about her candidacy and what she thought of the Mayor’s comments.

“This isn’t how I wanted my entré into city council politics,” she says. Still, Marquardt stands by the Mayor’s comments that there needs to be more diversity on the City Counby Rob Orton cil, in religion and other areas, and includes rob@slmetro.com herself in that goal. “He made some points On Feb. 1, the Royal Court of the Golden that needed to be made.” She adds that less Spike Empire held a public meeting to disthan half the people in her district are esticuss conclusions and penalties for a recent mated to be Mormon, with many who might occurrence of embezzlement. Past royalty welcome a non-Mormon candidate. and members of the public came forward as This isn’t Marquardt’s first campaign for friends, adversaries, and watchdogs. Public office. In 1980, she ran for the State Legislature representing Ogden’s East Bench District perceptions about previous problems with funding, rumors, and accusations drove the but lost with 44 percent of the vote. Since Royal Court to hold the meeting. then, she’s helped run campaigns on almost The board of directors announced that in every level, including last year’s fight against June 2004 the current reigning Empress 29, Amendment 3. As chairperson of Equality Syren Vaughn, deposited a sum of $625.00 Utah, she’s become increasingly visible as into her personal account. The funds were her own political player and now hopes to in the form of cashier’s checks issued to capitalize on the political relationships she’s RCGSE from the Texas Royal Court. fostered.

The matter came to the attention of the Marquardt knows fighting incumbent board in July and they immediately began Councilman Eric Jergensen in a political “off an investigation. Over the next few months, year” won’t be easy. She’s a “family” person, Syren produced falsified correspondence partnered to Tami Marquart and with 5 from a check company stating two cashier’s step-children and 5 grandsons, but her checks had not cleared and that the check non-traditional family could become a hot company would issue another check for campaign topic, as it has for other openly the full amount. gay city council candidates.

In December, Syren confessed to the She says she’ll campaign on her leadership and problem solving skills more than members of the board that she had taken her sexuality, and will emphasize that she the check and written the letter herself, but and her family have more in common had returned the money in November. She with the broader community than people said, “I was in between jobs at the time. I realize. “I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, and I know what I did wasn’t right. I wanted to spend a lot of time with my family. I’m more pay the money back—I wrote the letters to Mormon than a lot of Mormons!” But she buy me some time.” says she won’t hide her sexuality, and in fact This is not the first time RCGSE has it may help. “If ‘gay’ brings more attention to encountered internal scandal. In May 2004 my campaign, I’ll welcome it. I need voters the 28th reign had a similar problem when and people to notice me.”

Empress Elect Heidi Larsen deposited into Her campaign platform isn’t quite yet her personal account an estimated sum of realized, she won’t even officially register $1,000, which was intended for City of Hope. her campaign until the end of February. She Larsen immediately admitted her wrongdosays the environment, air quality, better ing and resigned her office shortly after. public transportation, affordable housing, Syren Vaughn was directly involved in and gay and lesbian issues will likely be the two main fundraisers in 2004. The Board focus of her campaign and her possible term did not want to compromise the year’s in office. As a councilwoman, Marquardt fundraising efforts, so they chose to withcould see herself putting forth gay-friendly hold punishment and public disclosure unordinances, like a domestic partner registry til the end of Syren’s reign. The parameters and non-discrimination policies for gay and of punishment were to be identical to what

by Joel Shoemaker joel@slmetro.com

University of Utah LGBT Resource Center Launches Safe Zone Program On Feb. 16, the University of Utah’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center launched the Safe Zone program, a training designed to create a comfortable and welcoming environment for queer students, faculty and staff.

Lori McDonald, University of Utah’s Assistant Dean of Students, is excited about the Safe Zone Program. “This is a great way to visibly identify advocates for the LGBT communities,” McDonald says. “The trainings are extremely valuable for people who always wanted to help, but didn’t have the means or resources to help.”

The goal of the Safe Zone Program is to develop a network of faculty, staff and student groups that support queer people. While institutions of higher education are typically considered to be places where many queer people find safety, there are individuals who still fear discrimination or negative treatment if they “come out” about their queer status.

Through the program, the LGBT Resource Center hopes to help faculty and staff turn their departments and offices into “safe

zones” for all queer people on campus.

Prior to the official launch of the Safe Zone Program, the LGBT Resource Center held pilot runs of the training. Kare McManama-Kearin, a participant in the initial pilot run of the Safe Zone training program, said “[The Safe Zone Training Program] was painless and thoughtprovoking ... everyone who is supportive of the LGBT community should make themselves available for this opportunity.”

Liz Leckie, Assistant Dean of the University of Utah College of Humanities said, “The focus of the Safe Zone Program is to teach the necessary information to begin the process of becoming an effective ally for the LGBT students and community. As a campus, we need to work together to create learning opportunities and safe spaces for all students who attend our University.”

After the training, participants were offered a Safe Zone sticker and magnet to place in a visible area in their office to indicate that the individual in the area has completed the training, and visitors of that area can feel safe.—JK

Royal Court Concludes Criminal Investigation use at any shows and that she would remove anyone who did so from the Court.”

“We have some members who are trying to clean themselves up,” Childers continued. “As a friend, I will do whatever I can to help them out. As an organization, it would be hard for us to reprimand something someone is doing in their private life.”

Syren adds, “Any organization that you become involved with, it’s going to happen.

We’re more focused on because of our visibility. All of my Court has adhered to the drug-free policy.”

“We all love what we do. I don’t think any of us would be doing this if we didn’t love the community and the individuals we work with,” Syren said. “I regret that this ever occurred, and I’m deeply sorry. But I ran to do a job and I stuck around to do that job even through pretty rough times.”

“We’re all going to have our problems.

We’re all going to make mistakes,” explained Childers, “but it’s what we do after those mistakes that is the most important thing. Members of our board learned through this that we can incite our members and other organizations to help. We are not an island.”

“People are beginning to realize the service the Court provides,” said Childers.

“The one thing that I ask of the community is that if you want to know more about our organization, come to one of our events.”

The Royal Court rejuvenated Utah Pride in the early ‘80s and was the first organization in Utah to raise funds for HIV/AIDS. Among the causes the Court currently benefits are cancer research, HIV/AIDS, youth programs and human rights.

Despite a deficit of $4,700 in the general fund, which was due to contracted penalties imposed by the Hilton hotel, host site of the 28th Coronation, the Court still keeps an overall positive balance. As of March 2004, the same Court reign that accumulated the deficit had raised and distributed over $40,000 to various organizations and individuals in need.

FEBRUARY 17, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 7

RCGSE had determined earlier for Larsen, had she not resigned.

The proposed punishment removed Syren’s title and reign and prohibited her from involvement with the Court for eleven years. This was submitted to the members of the Court in the public meeting, but was strongly rejected. Members insisted the board reconsider the motion and change the terms of the punishment.

A member of the Court, Rhett Larsen, Emperor 25, submitted a motion through a member of the board to suspend both Heidi’s and Syren’s titles for a year and to review their positions at that time. They would both be required to stay involved but would be excluded from handling money or running for another office.

The motion, which was identical to one used in previous years, passed 13-5. The issue will now be brought to vote by members of the Court and any public who share interest in the matter.

“I do not condone any of the actions taken by Heidi or Scott/Syren,” Rhett Larsen said. “I have optimistic hopes that we will be entering another positive period in the very near future, particularly as we get close to celebrating our 30th year in existence.”

Bobby Childers, president of the board, indicated that future procedures for all money handling will be different, and changes are already underway to give the public more access to the organization’s financial processes. The Court will also review the by-laws as part of their 30th anniversary review.

Another issue brought to the board was the public perception of regular drug use at Court shows.

“Yes, we have had a drug problem in the Court; we also have a problem with alcoholism, the flu, watching television too much, and overeating,” Childers said to the Metro, “but none of these are unique to our organization. This year’s reign is a drug-free reign. Syren told her court at the beginning of her reign that she wouldn’t tolerate drug

Publisher Michael Aaron Editor Jere Keys

Opinion

Arts Editor Eric J. Tierney Sports Editor David Nelson Proofreader Nicholas Rupp Contributing Brandie Balken Writers Paul Berge Vanessa Chang Janice Eberhardt Ryan Oliver Hansen Beau Jarvis Jane A. Marquardt Laurie Mecham 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.

8

■

SALT LAKE METRO ■ FEBRUARY 17, 2005

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.

Salt Lake Metro is published bi-weekly on alternating Thursdays by Metro Publishing, Inc.

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

Give Them Hope It was 1977 when Harvey Milk broke through the wall that kept openly gay people out of elected office. Shortly after, he made a speech that became his defining moment—a speech on the importance of electing gay and lesbian leaders. It was a speech that centered on giving future generations hope.

“You see there is a major difference—and it remains a vital difference—between a friend and a gay person, a friend in office and a gay person in office. Gay people have been slandered nationwide. We’ve been tarred and we’ve been brushed with the picture of pornography.

We’ve been accused of child molestation. It’s not enough anymore just to have friends represent us, no matter how good those friends may be. The time has come when the gay community must not be judged by our criminals and myths. Like every other group, we must be judged by our leaders and by those who are themselves gay, Those who are visible. We must give people the chance to judge us by our leaders and legislators. A gay person in office can set a tone, can command respect not only from the larger community, but from the young people in our own community who need both example and hope.”

How much has changed and how little has changed in the past three decades. The importance of presenting credible leaders with a passion for our issues cannot and should not be argued. The importance of having Jackie Biskupski, and now Scott McCoy, on Capitol Hill cannot and should not be argued. The importance of Jane Marquardt and others running for city councils, school boards, treasurers and PTA presidents cannot and should not be argued.

Friends as elected officials are great to have.

When it comes down to it, however, friendships can be tested by larger forces, such as compromise, expedience and the desire for reelection. Gay and lesbian people should not be pawns to a process over which they have no say. We must be part of the process, presenting our face to our foes. Perhaps Sen. Chris Buttars will realize one day that Scott McCoy, and every other gay person, is more than “the gay.”

He will realize the pain he is causing “those people.” That will only happen when we stand toe-to-toe with him and walk him through it.

Salt Lake Metro celebrates Scott McCoy being elected Utah’s newest state senator. We congratulate him and the many people who have worked for decades within the Democratic Party to get us to a point where a gay person can be elected to such a position.

Salt Lake Metro celebrates Jane Marquardt’s decision to run for Salt Lake City Council. We encourage other members of our community to run for office and give gay Utahns hope for a better tomorrow.

Harvey Milk: “And the young gay people in the Altoona, Pennsylvanias and the Richmond, Minnesotas who are coming out ... the only thing they have to look forward to is hope. And you have to give them hope. Hope for a better world, hope for a better tomorrow, hope for a better place to come if the pressures at home are too great ... . So if there is a message I have to give, it is that if I’ve found one overriding thing about my personal election, it’s the fact that if a gay person can be elected, it’s a green light. And you and you and you, you have to give people hope.”

From the Editor Utah, a Great Place to be Gay

by Jere Keys jere@slmetro.com

A

You know, it’s kind of nice being the new guy in town. Although I’ve been in Salt Lake for almost five months now, most days are still filled with new experiences and new people. I wish that everyone in Utah had the opportunity to see things the way I do—with the eyes of a newcomer still learning about this fascinating place to live.

While we were tallying votes for the Utah’s Best competitions, I noticed a strong anti-Utah vibe coming off more than a few ballots. Interestingly, these same ballots came from people who had trouble naming quality organizations or leaders.

Okay, I admit that “Utah, a Great Place to be Gay” isn’t a slogan likely to catch on anytime soon, but Utah’s not a horrible place to be gay, either.

Let’s start by taking a look at the businesses, organizations and people honored by our first annual Utah’s Best competition. Restaurants, gathering spots, nightclubs, activists, attractions, culture, and shopping that has been queer-friendly enough to earn the praise of the community.

As I spoke to different winners of the contests, the reaction was almost always the same: gratitude, pride and excitement. Not a single one of them recoiled in horror thinking, “I’m being mentioned by the gay paper?” Okay, so I didn’t talk to Gayle Ruzicka or Chris Buttars, but they’re hardly being honored in our “The Bad & w Ugly” category.

I don’t pretend Utah’s the easiest place to be w gay. Discrimination runs rampant in our laws and among our citizens. I know the news from Capitol Hill over the last few weeks has been difficult—conservative hypocrites defeating the Mutual Dependence bill, the Senate version of the Hate Crimes bill, and a great deal of anti-gay rhetoric—but look at our growing numbers of supportive, or at least open-minded, lawmakers: Rocky Anderson, David Litvack, Greg Bell, Mark Shurtleff, even (to some degree) Governor Huntsman. And we definitely don’t want to forget about Jackie Biskupski or Scott McCoy. Look, in just a few months since I moved here, I’ve seen more great queer political activity than I did in five years in Las Vegas. We’ve already got twice the number of openly gay office-holders as Nevada. And in less than a year, the Don’t Amend Alliance had more volunteers, donations and impact than the four-year “No on 2” campaign in Nevada, a decidedly more liberal state. I should know; I was a volunteer, staff member and board member of Equal Rights Nevada throughout the campaign.

I know that Utah isn’t California. I know that we face a less tolerant dominant culture, but there are pleasant surprises in that. The people of queer Utah tend to band together more efficiently and more often than anyplace else I’ve lived. When our community is attacked, we circle the wagons and do our parts to help. That doesn’tw happen as much in the large, urban gay ghettos.

And on the social front, we might not have as many nightclubs as other places I’ve lived, but we do have more thriving social activity, sports clubs, religious outreach programs, and organizations than I’ve seen anywhere else.

So cheer up, queer Utahns. Get involved, get active in the community and realize that hey, w maybe Utah is a pretty great place to be gay!

Letters Elitist Gay Politicians Make Mistake with McCoy To the Editor: As a politically-active gay man, I was distressed to see Scott McCoy elected as Utah’s first openly gay senator. Once again the elitist gay politicians just shot the Democratic Party in the foot. As a democratic delegate I voted against him. In a perfect, progressive world, Senator Scott McCoy could be our hero; but in Utah’s realpolitik, he is the most junior liberal senator in a vastly minority party, in the most conservative state of the most conservative major democracy on earth.

White men who love to hate control the realpolitik of Utah, and they hate Scott McCoy. Not even Scott’s effective fund-raising capabilities can change that reality. Any bill to which he attaches, or has attached, his name is dead. That’s the way it will stay for the next few years. That’s what happened to Rep. David Litvak, Utah’s only Jewish litigator, and to Jackie Bisckupski, the first openly gay representative on the hill. Even now, Jackie can’t sign her name to any bill pertaining to gay issues without killing it.

It’s not fair and it’s not Scott’s fault, but it’s a reality.

Many Democrats feel that the Mutual Dependents Benefits Contract, which even had the support of our Republican governor, was killed when Mr. McCoy lobbied for the bill and effectively made it a “gay” bill.

The overall needs of the Democratic Party would be far better served by a sympathetic senator who could advocate gay needs without drawing attention to him/herself.

Senator Paula Julander’s legacy is the proof. Electing Scott McCoy was the liberal equivalent of a message bill. The price of forfeiting the advocacy power from one of our most influential and effective political seats is simply too high.

Stuart Merrill Salt Lake City

Take Back Our Self-Respect

Tim Keller Preston, ID

Do Away With Government Recognized Marriage Dear Editor, I recommend the following resolution to the conflict over gay marriage: That the government no longer issue marriage licenses; that the government issue only civil union licenses granting any couple, regardless of sexual orientation, appropriate and equal rights under the law.

That the term “marriage” pertain solely

to the recognition a religious entity bestows upon couples meeting its requirements.

This approach provides everyone with equality under the law by giving the government the responsibility and authority to grant civil unions; while giving “marriage” to the people who most want to own it—many in the organized religious community.

Robert M. Aronin Encinitas, CA

Reader Pens Poem to Ruzicka Ode to Gayle: Your hateful eyes, your evil gaze, Your devil’s smile, your homophobic ways.

Picture of hypocrisy, enemy of the free, Defender of Family (??), opresses with glee.

Evil-Forum Pres., Foe of Triangles-Pink, Heather has 2 mommies, dear, no matter what YOU think.

GLBT’s are wise to your game, Your secrets, your lies, your attempts to defame.

Utah State has let you run on, Free to taunt, to provoke, till opposition is gone.

“Crush Queers!” you cry to your ignorant mass, But we’re still here, lady, so kiss our.....

Diane Rabitoy Salt Lake City

Ruby Ridge Living SpongeBob FancyPants

By Ruby Ridge ruby@slmetro.com

Pumpkins, I think I’m having a gaydar crisis! Usually I can spot a homos a mile away—even in their hard-to-spot Conference Weekend camouflage, but this SpongeBob SquarePants thing caught me completely by surprise. According to ultra-conservative Dr. James Dobson of the equally ultra-conservative Focus on the Family, SpongeBob is apparently light in the loofah. Who knew? I just thought he was asexual, hyper, and eccentric in an under-medicated Dell Schanze kind of way.

But no! According to the good Doctor, by appearing in a pro-diversity and tolerance video with other notable cartoon characters, SpongeBob is actually an honest to god, two-dimensional, submersible sissy, intent upon destroying the moral fabric of America and rendering the traditional family asunder. If Bob’s orientation were so blatant and obvious to the sexually naive religious right, you would think that I, of all jaded people, would have realized that Patrick was SpongeBob’s bitch! I have to admit, petals, I completely missed it.

Anyway, the whole SpongeBob thing got me thinking about the influential television icons of my childhood (and if any of you hateful wenches bring up Jack Parr I will slap you sideways!). When I was a kid, I remember my older sister drooling over Little Joe in Bonanza, and I just did not see what the big deal was. All I remember was being

strangely attracted to Hoss, played by Dan Blocker. I would sit glued to the television just waiting for Hoss to throw his big legs up over the saddle of his horse when he was wearing those bum-hugging tan pants.

I may have only been eleven years old, but I knew that I just wanted to spank those bad boys until Hop Sing came “a runnin’ from the kitchen.”

Who could have predicted that years later Hoss is still everything I’m looking for in a man. He was big, sweaty, mildly retarded, and you just know that the sex would be incredible. Not that pretentious acrobatic Cirque Du Soleil type sex, but grunty, sweaty, no-frills Hoss sex. Dum didi dum, didi dum, didi dum… Bonanza!

Aaahh, but I digress.

To Dr. Dobson and his ilk, I have some words of advice: If you can’t watch Teletubbies, or SpongeBob, or whatever, without seeing gay subtext, then you have a serious problem and you need help. To paraphrase Groucho Marx, sometimes a sponge is just a sponge. Don’t hide behind your religious facade, wrapped up in the American flag, and use deceptive catch phrases like “profamily,” “traditional values,” and “deeplyheld religious beliefs” to sugarcoat what you really are: an opportunistic, hypocritical, fear monger promoting ignorance and hate. You should be ashamed. OK, now that’s out of my system I feel much better.

By the way is it just me ... or is Bob the Builder kind of hot?

Ruby Ridge is one of the more opinionated members of the Utah Cyber Sluts, a Camp Drag group of performers who raise funds and support local charities. Her opinions are her own and fluctuate wildly due to seasonal affective disorder and menopausal changes. Only Lane Bryant and the Keebler Elves truly understand her.

FEBRUARY 17, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 9

To the Editor: Shortly after the election, I opened up my copy of Metro and was shocked to see a letter from “anonymous” explaining that the reason Utahns voted for Amendment 3 was because they didn’t approve of the behavior of the less-than-respectable among us.

That’s funny; I blamed the Mormons.

I was furious, but I chalked it up to post-election ranting. After all, it has been an emotional year for all of us. But then, in the last issue of the Metro, another gentleman wrote in apparently hoping for a nice chaste little Pride Day. Dan Senglaub respectfully suggests that the traditional Pride celebrations are “counter productive” and a strain on small-town gays. As a small-town gay, I would respectfully suggest that in addition to being flawed on several points, the opinions stated in both of these letters are representative of what I consider to be a much larger problem. How can we expect the straight world to accept us for who we are when we can’t even do it ourselves?

Mr. Senglaub asks the question ”How can we expect them to reward such ridiculous behavior?” Let me just say that I don’t expect

a reward at all. I expect to be treated fairly and equally under the law regardless of how “ridiculous” some may view our behavior!

The very language of the question is offensive! We are not children or pets to be “rewarded” with a treat for not diddling on the carpet. We are human beings, with the right to live our lives and the way we want. It’s time to stop thinking about rights as a reward and go out and take the damned things.

That we have allowed promiscuity to be made an issue is shameful. That we have allowed it to become an issue among ourselves is asinine! Like it or not, the defining characteristic of a homosexual is first and foremost homosexuality. Of course we are a diverse and colorful people; however, Amendment 3 did not discriminate against our careers, our hobbies or our personalities. It discriminated against the manner in which we choose to love.

It is time we shout, “Enough!” The ones that hate us will hate us whether we have sex with one man or one hundred. So go ahead, enjoy yourself during Pride Day. Be flamboyant, be promiscuous, be safe. It’s your day after all; and besides, what are they going to do? Pass an amendment? They did their worst and we’re still here. This fag says let’s all do what we can to make this Pride Day the most proud and loud ever!

Club 14 has recently been forced to close. The police say they were acting on a “public tip.” This implies that some concerned citizen accidentally found himself in the 14th Street Gym for an ostensibly chaste workout when all of a sudden, Whamo! He was being mauled by two greasedup, hairy men whose intentions with him were less than innocent. I think not. I think the cops might just be lying.

We have made monumental strides in our civil rights. Lawrence v. Texas not only legally recognizes us but also protects us, but the harassment still continues. Last summer, a police officer approached a group of gay men from the Metropolitan Community Church having a picnic in Logan Canyon checking ID’s saying he was investigating reports of flashers.

This summer, a young man was advanced upon in Logan Canyon by an officer who came in lights and sirens. After giving him a sobriety test, the officer advised he was there for the young man’s protection, also he was apparently concerned about litter! If that’s what they call protection, forget about it. I can handle myself. The persecution must stop now!

The police have long made a habit out of using homosexuals for sport.

Our police and politicians must learn that we are not easy targets. What happened to Club 14 happened to Blue, happened to Axis, has happened to literally hundreds of men caught in the wrong place and at the wrong time. Our silence gives them permission!

We will not realize our legislative goals without first standing up for ourselves and protecting that which makes us different: the manner in which we have sex. Enough with the hypocrisy! It doesn’t matter if you’re getting it in the bars, the baths, the bushes or the bed; we are all doing it. There no one is superior to another. And please, before writing back that it’s a health issue, do think

about the fact that the safe-sex movement started in the sex clubs and the bars. The first time I wore a condom, it was a free one I had received during a visit to Jeff’s Gym. I played safe there, and I’ve done so ever since. If you don’t wish to be promiscuous, don’t. I have no problem with that. Please extend the same courtesy to me.

We must get angry and get active. We cannot let our apathy and compliance be what defines us. The ultimate reward of equality was never the heterosexuals’ to give! We are worth the space we take up, and we are equal to (if not better than) the people we make over! So if we have to do it in the streets, act crazy on Pride weekend or burn Gayle Ruzicka in effigy, so be it.

Let’s take our equality, and never apologize.

AberRant Best of My Lil World

By Laurie Mecham laurie@slmetro.com

Oh, my tiny little world.

This is the Metro’s “Utah’s Best” issue, and I’ve tried to think of my own bests, but I simply don’t live in a big enough circle to offer much up to you readers.

I would love to be able to point out the finest cuisine, the supreme exotic island vacation and the best damn investment banker, but unfortunately I know nothing of these things.

Sorry to disappoint; I’m sure you’ve been dying to know where you needed to hang out in order to run in to me. (The answer is either at my desk at work or at our veterinarian.)

OK, there’s a start: BEST VETERINARIAN: University Pet Clinic All the docs are great, as are the veterinary technicians. I will always have a special place in my heart for Dr. Denkers at Denkers’ Veterinary Hospital, but UPC is in the neighborhood and since we adopted Lola the Medically Delicate Boxer, we like to walk by the building and see where our money goes.

10

■

SALT LAKE METRO ■ FEBRUARY 17, 2005

BEST NEW RESTAURANT DISCOVERY AMONG THE FIVE PLACES I EVER GO: Enjoy the cuisine of India (note how I just avoided a political-correctness nightmare by not saying “Indian food?” I’m clever that way.)

Taste of Punjab in Sandy is in a strip-mall

kind of location and it doesn’t offer a lot by way of ambience, plus it’s clear the hell out in Sandy, but the food is wonderful—every bit as good as Bombay House, so now we have two choices! The other great thing that the Sandy restaurant has is a name that can be perverted to “Taste of Poontang,” and if you are in my family, that counts for a lot.

(This explains the fam’s affinity for “Wrong Wife Vegi House,” the “Puff Changly” chain and “The Pube,” not to mention the fine organic foods and food supplements offered at your nearest “White Folks” Market.)

OK, I’m rolling now…

BEST IMPERSONATION OF MY DAD: (when he was alive) Me BEST PLACE TO HAVE LUNCH WHEN YOU’RE GOING THROUGH A BREAKUP: The Point at Huntsman Cancer Institute Because it’s a cancer institute no one will find it odd if you burst into tears there. Plus: cheap soup!

BEST PLACE(S) TO SPEND YOUR MONEY: At your local independently-owned business Any fool in any town can go to a Starbucks, but as long as we’ve chosen to be queer, let’s really be different.

BEST NAME FOR THE AS YET NON-EXISTENT ULTIMATE AUTO EMISSIONS AND INSPECTIONS STORE: Seminal Emissions BEST BOOK I’VE READ RECENTLY: Created in Darkness by Troubled Americans Edited by Dave Eggers, et al.

Emily gave me this book for Christmas, and it has such brilliantly wack essays as

Peter Ferland’s “Circumstances Under Which I Would Have Sex With Some of my Fellow Jurors,” and Jim Stallard’s “No Justice, No Foul,” a fictional play-by-play account of Supreme Court rulings decided by the outcome of basketball games played by the likes of Warren Burger and Ruth Bader Ginsberg.

I wish I had written this book instead of just my weasly little column.

to double up the laws against (gag, shudder) same-sex marriage. But recent history hasn’t prevented them from using the exact same argument to shoot down Senate Bill 89, the “Mutual Dependence Benefits Contract.”

Yeah, I got yer current law swingin’, pal.

BEST PLACE TO THROW A FEW BUCKS EVERY MONTH: Tithing No, I’m talking about a tiny tithe to one of a hundred or so incredible nonprofits.

Whether your cause is animals, HIV/AIDS, homeless youth, or the Make-a-Wish for Laurie Foundation, you know you should and you easily could.

BEST UTAH POLITICAL NEWS OF THE YEAR: Scott McCoy’s election as a State Senator Ba-da-BING!

BEST HAIR SALON RUN BY (GASP!) STRAIGHT PEOPLE: Forum Salon on 4th East and Second South.

When David, my best hair stylist ever, started his own salon I was waiting to see who joined him, and it was another straight guy. I told him that “Forum” was the wrong name and he should really call it “Two Straight Guys Who Do Hair,” but he said, “No one would ever believe it.”

BEST EVIDENCE THAT GEORGE ORWELL WAS A PROPHET: Pretty much every Bush plan with a markettested name, including “No Child Left Behind,” “Clear Skies Initiative” and “Operation Kiss My Big Texas Ass.” Wait, that last one might not be real.

BEST MATCHING REASON FOR OPPOSING STANCES ON GAY RIGHTS IN UTAH: “This is already covered under current law,” was one of the primary reasons used by opponents of Amendment 3. That was not good enough to stop Utah legislators who wanted

BEST DRAG QUEEN NAME I’VE EVER HEARD: Amanda Reckonwith, followed by Helvetica Bold.

BEST LINE THAT WOULD HAVE LOST A SENATOR HIS JOB ANYWHERE ELSE BUT UTAH: Chris Buttars’ two-word reaction to McCoy’s appointment, “ ... The GAY?” BEST WAY TO CELEBRATE ANY NEW UTAH LEGISLATION: With a drink Straight whiskey for the bad laws; expensive, rare champagne for the oh-sorare sensible laws. Might as well make that champagne that improves with age.

BEST REASON TO MOVE OUT OF UTAH: To escape a theocratic regime Oh wait, I guess now you’d have to move completely out of the United States of Jesusland. Never mind.

BEST WAY TO END THIS COLUMN I really can’t decide, so I’ll make it multiple choice: 1. By Miss Scarlett in the library ... with the candlestick, of course.

2. Straightforwardly, with a simple period at the end.

3. The chicken shit way, by having an affair with another gay paper.

Laurie Mecham already knows that she is in so much trouble.

Lambda Lore Hate Crimes In Utah, Part Two

By Ben Williams ben@slmetro.com TONY ADAMS On November 3, 1978, Tony Adams, a 25 yearold gay black Socialist, was stabbed to death in his Salt Lake City Avenues apartment. As news of his death spread throughout the burgeoning gay community, fear swept over the city as rumors surfaced of a serial killer targeting gays, as well as rumors that the murder had official police sanction or duplicity.

Adams, a Maryland native, was reared in Salt Lake City. He graduated from Judge Memorial High School and at the time of his death was attending classes at the University of Utah. In 1978 Adams was also the campaign manager for the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) Congressional candidate, Bill Hoyle. Adams was murdered just days before the national elections.

Concerned that no one had heard from him for several days, Adams’ boyfriend, Bill Woodbury, and his pastor, Bob Waldrop, went to Adams’ apartment. After climbing through a window, Woodbury discovered Adams in the bedroom, naked and covered with blood. Adams had been stabbed repeatedly with a butcher knife and his throat slashed.

After news of another killing of a gay man on November 30 near the Sun Tavern, gay community leaders and a Socialist Worker’s Party official from New York met with Salt Lake City’s police chief. The activists demanded that police provide more vigorous protection for gays in a “general atmosphere of violence against

Undue Influence

by William Todd Park liam@slmetro.com

gay people.”

Rev. Waldrop told city officials that he himself had been the recipient of 22 death threats in the past two years, and said rumors that police were looking the other way when it came to violent acts against homosexuals were sweeping the gay community. Waldrop claimed that he had inside knowledge from a “closeted police officer” that some officers had joked about Adams’ death, saying “Nigger, queer, Communist: three strikes and you’re out.”

The SWP told the police chief that the investigation of Adams’ death should even be approached as an “assassination of an outspoken political leader.”

The meeting ended unsatisfactorily with Rev. Waldrop warning the police that panic was sweeping the gay community, worried that there might be “an L.A. slasher type out there” who was systematically murdering homosexuals. Four people with ties to the gay community had recently been murdered in the Salt Lake area.

The Socialist Workers Party was so dissatisfied with the Salt Lake City police department’s handling of Adams’ murder case that they charged that the police had been “lax and ineffectual.” On December 30, the SWP went to the United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division requesting that the FBI investigate the death of Tony Adams.

Salt Lake City’s police chief denied that the police were ignoring the murder, but to this day Adams’ murder and that of the other gay men of 1978 are unsolved.

Rumors abounded and trust levels towards the police by the gay community disintegrated. When rumors surfaced that the knife used to murder Adams was one taken from the Salt Lake Police Department’s evidence room, many in the gay community feared that someone in the police’s own vice department was connected with the

GORDON CHURCH On November 23, 1988, Gordon Church, a 28-year-old a drama student at Southern Utah University, was brutally murdered by Michael Archuleta, 25, and Lance Wood, 19.

The murder was one of the most sadistic murders in the history of the state, gay or straight, but only a few people are aware of the torture killing because a judge placed a gag order over the case to shelter a prominent Mormon family in Delta from public humiliation that their son was gay.

Archuleta and Wood, recently paroled from prison, encountered Gordon Church at a convenience store while out cruising in Cedar City. Handsomely attractive, Wood was able to talk Church into giving Archuleta and him a ride. After “cruising” for a while, Church drove the men up Cedar Canyon and pulled onto a dirt road.

Church parked his car and there Archuleta asked Church if he was gay. He said he was. According to Archuleta, “That’s when everything started to happen.”

Archuleta had sex with Church but when he made advances towards Wood, Archuleta claimed Wood slashed Church’s throat with a knife. Wood, however, maintained that it was Archuleta who slashed Church’s throat as a show of machismo after having sex with him.

After being attacked, Church jumped out of the car and ran away, but Wood tackled him, breaking his arm. Wood then grabbed Church by the hair and slashed his neck again with his hunting knife. The pair then tied Gordon up with tire chains and threw him in the trunk. The convicts drove 70 miles to a secluded location north of Cove Fort known as Dog Valley. Archuleta admitted that once he and Wood pulled Church from the car trunk “evil had completely overtaken him, and once they started he couldn’t stop.”

The men began torturing the wounded

Perhaps some of the old Sunday School lessons bear repeating. Rather than espousing love, kindness, and contentedness, a growing number of evangelicals are preaching to the American public a meanspirited message of intolerance and. Time magazine’s February 7 issue features the 25 most influential evangelicals in America, some of whom have pasts linked to radical groups that actually advocate stoning of biblical lawbreakers.

In the quest to move our nation backward to a selected biblical morality, some evangelists are doing whatever it takes to maintain their influence and financial base through fear. One of many such examples is well-known fearmonger Pat Robertson, who links Adolf Hitler with Satanists and homosexuals since, in his words, “the two things seem to go together.” Fear and demagoguery seem to go together as well.

Regressing to misinformation and manipulative tactics, Robertson has abandoned the integrity he founded his ministry upon.

Focus On The Family founder James Dobson has pushed well beyond his area of expertise in child psychology. Lately, he has developed such a finely tuned gaydar that he now picks up gay vibes from the cartoon character Spongebob Squarepants. But it was Jerry Fallwell, founder of the oxymoronic Moral Majority, who first hailed one of the androgynous Teletubbies characters,

Tinky Winky, as a “gay role model.”

Do people seriously believe or actually worry that the likelihood of a child turning into a homosexual may be impacted by watching or not watching some cartoon character? If a character really were gay-affirming, what’s the worst thing that could happen? Maybe the child will grow up to embrace all kinds of people instead of hating them. It seems silly that spiritual leaders waste their time on contrived witch-hunts when real biblical mandates like taking care of the needy are ignored.

Fallwell, with his own apparent moral mandate, clearly influences his followers’ votes, stating that, “Christians, like slaves and soldiers, ask no questions.”

Responsible, thinking people, regardless of their particular faith, must ask questions, though in order to vote one’s conscience rather than a party line.

If evangelists actually taught and lived the gospel according to, well, the gospel, perhaps more Christians would act with more spiritual wisdom and less religious arrogance. The other side is that we as Americans should read and understand our own Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Perhaps then we will find that our system of government and our society as a whole depend on our active involvement.

When we abrogate our civic responsibil-

semi-nude Church. They attached jumper cables to the car battery and then to Church’s testicles just to hear him scream.

Archuleta admitted hooking the cables to the battery but accused Wood of attaching the cables to Church’s genitals.

Wood then twisted Church’s neck, and he fell to the ground. Wood began kicking Church in the head so ferociously that Church’s hair was entangled in Wood’s shoelaces. Tiring of that, Wood then got the tire jack and began clubbing the dying boy with it. Archuleta claimed that Wood “had his foot on Church’s face and was swinging the jack like a golf club … or like a mallet when you play croquet.” After striking several times, one of the pair (they both accused the other), took the sharp end of the jack and sodomized Church in the rectum, puncturing his liver. The murderers dragged Church’s body off the dirt road and covered him with dirt and tree limbs.

Michael Archuleta and Lance Wood were tried separately. In 1989, Archuleta was found guilty of 1st degree murder and given the death penalty. In 1990, Lance Wood, playing the Mormon card (he was an Eagle Scout after all), was found guilty and given only life imprisonment.

After Archuleta was arrested, he said he needed to talk to a psychiatrist about hallucinations he was having. He told the doctor, “I was seeing Gordon. He was right there. I could see Gordon saying, ‘Why are you doing this to me?’ I could see Gordon laying on the ground. I could see the shallow grave Gordon was in. I could see myself standing right next to Gordon, looking at him. I still see him.” When his attorney asked Archuleta if he wanted to talk to someone so the hallucinations would go away, Archuleta replied “It’ll never go away.” Archuleta has been on death row since his conviction.

Ben Williams is the founder and president of the Utah Stonewall Historical Society, utahstonewallhistoricalsociety.com

ity, it creates a leadership vacuum in government, giving rise to ineffective officials and pawns. When ignorance reigns in the hearts of congregations, ministers are hired that would be better suited to running a country club than acting as shepherds to raise their flock to spiritual maturity. For too many, these vocations have become career options rather than opportunities to serve, putting the corporate merger of religion and government on track.

The founders of our country were profoundly wise in making the First Amendment to the Constitution a freedom to express the most intimate and personal sense of our being. At the same time they crafted the freedom to practice one’s own religion, they also designed a wall to protect the government from religion. History speaks all too plainly the consequences of government that is beholden to a religion.

If the Pharisees weren’t example enough, we need only turn on the nightly news.

We can be truly thankful for people who practice an authentic faith and put it into action with acts of charity and genuine love, but it’s time zealous evangelicals use the stones they would otherwise throw at others to build roads in uniting. That is the only moral mandate that was brought up during the election that is still worthy of accomplishment.

FEBRUARY 17, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 11

The president’s selfproclaimed moral mandate has brought all the kissing cousins out of their evangelical closets. Brothers and sisters, the inbreeding is anything but a beautiful thing.

If this freakish family reunion wasn’t scary enough, they’re lining up with the lobbyists to make sure the political right wing is paying homage and due attention to the religious right.

In the old Bible stories, Pharisees were all too eager to impose the letter of the law while themselves guilty of its intent. The Pharisees died out, but the mold of legalistic zealotry from which they were formed has left a trail of bloody footprints throughout history. Having infiltrated the evangelical movement, modern-day Pharisees are gathering rocks to execute their own brand of narrow injustice, ignoring the most important part of biblical justice: that only he who is without sin may cast the first stone.

Last time I checked, we all have a shortcoming or two.

killings and that the police were covering up to avoid a scandal.

T

he votes have been cast, the ballots counted and the people have spoken for the first time. We’re not talking about Iraq—we’re talking about Salt Lake Metro’s first Utah’s Best competition.

Hundreds of readers participated in our first annual write-in competition. We’re not sure if Metro readers were enticed by the chance to win a weekend in Vegas, or if they simply have the best taste in Utah and wanted to share that knowledge.

Some of the selections we expected, but others surprised us. One thing can be said, though: the businesses, organizations and individuals nominated and voted in as Utah’s Best must be doing something right to have impressed our readers.

You’re invited to join us on Saturday, March 5 at the Black Box Theater in The Center as we present the Utah’s Best certificates and awards to the winners. We’ll also be drawing the name of our lucky Vegas Weekend winner. The awards begin at 7 p.m. and we’re asking for a $5 donation to benefit The Center.

fGOOD EATS! Best Sunday Brunch

Best Formal Dining THE NEW YORKER 363-0166 | 60 W Market St, SLC

Another feather in the hat of the Gastronomy family! The formal dining room at The New Yorker is the most popular place for those five-star meals our readers enjoy.

With artful lunch and dinner entrees of seafood, beef, lamb, chicken, and veal, as well as savory salads, soups, and one-ofa-kind desserts, it’s no wonder this spot works well for romantic, business and social occasions.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Metropolitan, 364-3472, 173 W Broadway, SLC Martine, 363-9328, 22 E 100 S, SLC M

Best Hole In The Wall

y

M

BIG ED’S 582-9045 | 210 University St, SLC

It may look like a dark, windowless tavern, but the place is cozy and usually freA quented by University of Utah students who know the secret—that even though the food is not for people with heartburn or cholesterol problems, it’s tasty and satisfying. Big Ed’s is the kind of place no one will question a request for chili as a side to anything.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Soup Kitchen, five Salt Lake locations The Other Place, 521-6567, 469 E Broadway, SLC

Best Place to Blow Your Diet THE BAKERY MARKET STREET GRILL/OYSTER BAR 531-6044 • 54 W Market St, SLC

We’re not sure if it was because it was the first category on the ballot or because brunch is the official meal of the queer community, but this category received more nominations than any other. We certainly do take our hybrid of breakfast and lunch seriously, especially on the one day we’re sure the screaming Mormon families will be at church and safely out of sight.

With reasonable prices, a comfortable atmosphere and a great brunch menu from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Market Street Oyster Bar is clearly a hit.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

12

■ ■

SALT LAKE METRO ■■ FEBRUARY 17, 2005

Squatters Pub and Brewery, 363-2739, 147 W Broadway, SLC

Oasis Café, 322-0404, 151 South 500 East, SLC

Best Quick Bite WENDY’S Various locations

Dave Thomas would be so proud! Despite so many fast food options to choose from, Wendy’s took a commanding lead in this category. We’re not sure if it’s the variety of options, including salads and baked potatoes, or the 48 convenient locations across the state, but Wendy’s is your choice for best quick bite in Utah.

328-3330 | 250 S 300 E, SLC

Admit it—you’re sick of the whole Atkins dieting craze. You want to get your hands on some good, old, tasty, scrumptious carbohydrates, don’t you? Well, for mouthW watering pastries, desserts and the nummy treats you’ve been denying yourself for weeks, head on over to The Bakery. Go ahead, we give you permission. It’s just more of you to love anyway.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Melting Pot, 521-6358, 340 S Main St, SLC Bavarian Chalet German Restaurant, 4797561, 4387 Harrison Blvd Ste 9, Ogden

Best Place for Asian P.F. CHANG’S CHINA BISTRO 539-0500 | Three Salt Lake locations

It may be a rapidly expanding chain, but Metro readers insist that P.F. Chang’s is the best place to get a taste of the Orient. All right, we admit it, we’re suckers for the lettuce wraps, too. And with a doggy bag, we’re glad to be hungry again an hour later. W

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Café Trang, 539-1638, two Salt Lake locations Xiao Li, 328-8688, 307 W 200 S. Ste 1000, SLC

HONORABLE MENTIONS Crown Burger, 532-1155, five locations in Utah McDonalds, many locations

M

Best Greek/Mediterranean Food

Best Vegetarian Fare OASIS CAFÉ 322-0404 | 151 S 500 E, SLC

CAFÉ MED 493-0100 | 420 E 3300 South, SLC

While a few of our readers were appalled at the idea of dining without animal flesh on the plate (“No No No!” or “What’s that like?” read some ballots), the bulk of readers tipped their hats to the friendly and relaxing restaurant next to Golden Braid Bookstore. With an inviting patio that’s perfect for lounging on a hot summer afternoon, the guilt-free vegetarian and vegan offerings have made many begin to suspect that they’d be happy to adopt a new PETAapproved “meat is murder” philosophy.

Hummus, falafels and kabobs, oh my!

Metro readers know how to enjoy a big, fat, Greek meal, and the chefs at Café Med are experts at making one. We bet they can even tell you how to pronounce gyro, although we doubt they’ll hold it against you if you get it wrong.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

When you’re pinching those pennies to make it to the next payday, readers agree that the best place to fill up on food you won’t regret eating is Beto’s. If the worst thing you can say about this food is that it’s inexpensive, then there’s not much reason to turn up your nose. And it’s more authentic than other chain restaurants, too.

The Other Place, 521-6567, 469 E Broadway, SLC Mazza, 484-9259, 1515 S 1500 E, SLC Greek Souvlaki II, 487-3481, 1446 S State St, SLC

Best Mexican RED IGUANA 322-1489 | 736 W North Temple, SLC

An overwhelming favorite in the community, the lively atmosphere and South-of-theborder specialties have made many Metro readers exclaim “¡Ay, papi!” Our favorite thing about Red Iguana is that while the regional dishes are definitely tasty, the food presentation is also a feast for the eyes in reds, green, yellows and blacks. We’re also relieved that our readers clearly have sophisticated tastes, as Taco Bell received very few nominations in this category.

Sage’s Café, 322-3790, 473 E Broadway, SLC Shanghai Café, 322-1841, 145 E 1300 S, SLC

Best Cheap But Good Food BETO’S Thirteen Utah locations

HONORABLE MENTIONS: The Other Place, 521-6567, 469 E Broadway, SLC Rio Grande, 364-3302, 270 S Rio Grande St, SLC

Best Sushi

466-0961 | 2156 S Highland Dr, SLC

We were honestly a little surprised to see Michelangelo’s beat out some of the downtown restaurants that typically garner big accolades, but this quiet Sugarhouse dining spot has a level of charm missing at some of the more pretentious Italian dining choices. It certainly looks, tastes and feels like an authentic family-run business.

Next time you’re craving the pasta, be sure to make the trip.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Best Steak and Seafood SPENCER’S 238-4748 | 255 S West Temple, SLC

When Metro readers are craving a big, juicy piece of meat, the first name on their lips is Spencer’s. Certainly, their veal porterhouse, pork chops or filet mignon is worth raving about. If you need something a little more heart-healthy, Spencer’s also has king crab and grilled salmon to make your doctor happier. And the spacious booths encourage you to gorge yourself, so dig in!

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Market Street Grill, 322-4668, 48 W Market St, SLC

533-0173 | 615 W 100 S, SLC

The readers of Metro chose the Trapp Door as the best place to get down with their funky selves. With the large accessible dance floor, reliable crowds and quality music, we’re not surprised.

HONORABLE MENTIONS Naked, 521-9292, 326 S West Temple, SLC Sound, 521-2076, 579 W 200 S, SLC

532-7522 | 336 S 400 E, SLC

Once upon a time, this building served a religious purpose, but the murals of dancing sumo wrestlers, fish tanks and other modern décor help to dispel the urge to worship anything other than raw fish.

Sushi might not have caught on in Utah as well as it has in places like California, but Chef Peggi Whiting has given us a great place to get familiar with the concept.

Friendly Straight Folks W LOUNGE 359-0637 | 358 S West Temple, SLC

It does our hearts good to see such a variety of nominations in this category; it means there are friendly straight folks to be met all over the state. But according to Metro readers the hipster-industrial-electronica crowd at W Lounge appears to be the most friendly of all.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Port O’ Call Social Club, 521-0589, 400 S West Temple, SLC

Todd’s Bar & Grill, 328-8650, 1051 S 300 W, SLC

Best Place to See Live Music MODIGGITY’S

Best Place to Meet Gay Men HEADS UP 359-2161 | 163 W Pierpont (240 S), SLC

It may be the newest club in town, but it’s already got the reputation of being an easy and laid-back place to meet other gay men.

With plenty of space to dance as well as quieter areas to converse, Heads Up is apparently the place to be for socializing with one another.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Trapp Door, 533-0173, 615 W 100 S, SLC Club Try-Angles, 364-3203, 251 W 900 S, SLC Trapp, 531-8727, 102 S 600 W, SLC

713-0678 | 3737 S State St, SLC

ICHIBAN SUSHI

Trapp Door, 533-0173, 615 W 100 S, SLC Club Try-Angles, 364-3203, 251 W 900 S, SLC

With two women’s bars competing for the title, this was a close and heated race.

Several readers even made disparaging remarks about the bar they didn’t favor. In the end though, the scales tipped slightly on the side of the inviting and loose atmosphere of Paper Moon.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: MoDiggity’s, 832-9000, 3424 S State St, SLC

Meet Transgender Folks

832-9000 | 3424 S State St, SLC

When Metro readers want to rock out to a live band or catch a touring act, it seems the venue of choice is MoDiggity’s. And no wonder! With the gals’ ever-changing and dynamic calendar, MoDiggity’s has hosted some of the finest names in entertainment.

HONORABLE MENTIONS In the Venue, 521-2076, 579 W 200 S, SLC Liquid Joe’s, 467-5637, 1249 E 3300 S, SLC

Best Place to Watch a Game MODIGGITY’S 832-9000 | 3424 S State St, SLC

Sports fans also picked MoDiggity’s as the best place to watch a game. The women’s sports bar certainly made it an easy choice with their festive atmosphere and the infamous “dugout” and its large-screen projector and comfy chairs.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Trapp, 531-8727, 102 S 600 W, SLC Port O’ Call Social Club, 521-0589, 400 S West Temple, SLC

Fiddler’s Elbow, 463-9393, 1063 E 2100 S, SLC

Best Place to Sing Karaoke HEADS UP 359-2161 | 163 W Pierpont (240 S), SLC

While karaoke may mean “empty orchestra,” it certainly doesn’t mean “empty bar” at Heads Up. Every Monday and Thursday night, Kamikaze Karaoke host Jamie attracts a loyal following of people dreaming of their chance to be on American Idol.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Ginza, 322-2224, 209 W 200 S, SLC Happy Sumo, 456-7866, 153 S Rio Grande St, SLC

Trapp, 531-8727, 102 S 600 W, SLC Tavernacle Social Club, 519-8900, 201 E 300 South, SLC

Best After Hours Food (tie) Best Place to Avoid Karaoke

DEE’S FAMILY RESTAURANT 359-4414 | 143 W North Temple, SLC & 2104 S 700 E, SLC | 487-6761

CLUB TRY-ANGLES

ORBIT CAFÉ

Try-Angles owner Gene once told us that he’s glad to create a spot where the people who don’t enjoy karaoke can escape from the crooners and belters. It seems Metro readers also appreciate that opportunity.

If a night of listening to your tone-deaf ex butchering an N*Sync tune doesn’t appeal to you, you never have to worry about it at Club Try-Angles.

364-3203 | 251 W 900 S, SLC

322-3808 | 540 West 200 South, SLC

In our first tie vote, readers were split between Dee’s tasty breakfast menu (open 24 hours on Friday and Saturday), or Orbit’s late-night vegetarian food that’s as good as anything you’d get during a lunchtime rush. Both spots offer a great place to finish your night of socializing after the Utah state legislature kicks you out of the bars and nightclubs.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Beto’s, thirteen Utah locations Village Inn Restaurants, eleven Utah locations

THE GLBT COMMUNITY CENTER OF UTAH 539-8800 | 361 N 300 W, SLC

This category had the majority of our readers stumped. While The Center doesn’t exactly fit the “nitelife” heading of these categories, we see the reader’s selection of The Center as a positive. It tells us that the community organization has achieved its goal of representing the broader queer community.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Paper Moon, 713-0678, 3737 S State St, SLC

FEBRUARY 17, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 13

Cucina Toscana, 328-3463, 307 Pierpont Ave, SLC Lugano, 412-9994, 3364 S 2300 E, SLC Panini, 535-4300, 299 S Main St Ste 250, SLC

Best Place to Dance TRAPP DOOR

Best Place to Meet Lesbians

Beto’s, thirteen Utah locations Rio Grande, 364-3302, 270 S Rio Grande St, SLC

Best Italian

WE LOVE THE NITELIFE, WE LOVE TO BOOGIE…!

PAPER MOON

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

MICHELANGELO RISTORANTE

'NITELIFE

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Best Gay/Lesbian Bar

promoting local theatre professionals. The company performs year-round, with a focus on regional and world premiere productions and is the place to be whenever Saturday’s Voyeur is showing. w

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Pioneer Theatre Company, www.ptc.utah.edu Ballet West, www.balletwest.org

Best Local Band DEBI GRAHAM BAND www.sanusine.com

HEADS UP

A HILARIOUSLY un-PC COMIC ADVENTURE

der n U and $18 0 3 Age Tickets

Singer/songwriter Debi Graham has certainly been making a name for herself in her home city. An unsigned indie group, the Debi Graham Band has opened for acts such as Berlin and Linda Perry (of 4 Non Blondes). The group frequently plays all over Utah, so if you haven’t had the distinct y pleasure of a Graham Band show, make it a point to check them out.

359-2161 | 163 W Pierpont (240 S), SLC

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

We knew this category was going to be like a high school popularity contest, but the degree of ballot-stuffing from the different clubs was impressive even to us. The people have spoken, and the people have said that the newly-opened Heads Up is the community’s bar of choice in 2005. And its official: the recount has already been conducted.

UTAH MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Club Try-Angles, 364-3203, 251 W 900 S, SLC MoDiggity’s, 832-9000, 3424 S State St, SLC

Best Straight Bar PORT O’ CALL SOCIAL CLUB 521-0589 | 400 S West Temple, SLC

There’s no shortage of entertainment at Port O’ Call. From sports to pool, music to trivia games, it’s difficult to be bored in the Metro reader’s choice for Best Straight Bar. Plus, the restaurant menu ain’t too shabby either.

Lisa Marie & The Co-Dependents, lmcod.com Spanky Van Dyke, www.spankyvandyke.com

Best Art Gallery or Museum 581-7332 410 Campus Center Drive, SLC

Apparently, Metro readers love heading up to the U to take in the artistic greatness. In addition to the galleries, UMFA also offers a variety of programs, educational events T and panel discussions. Admission is free on — the first Wednesday of each month, but at a max cost of $4 per head, we see no reason to wait.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Salt Lake Art Center, 328-4201, 20 S. West Temple E Street Gallery, 359-2979, 82 E Street, SLC

Best Symphony/Orchestra/Choir

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

14

■

DAVID IVES BY

SALT LAKE METRO ■ FEBRUARY 17, 2005

Piper Down, 468-1492, 1492 S State St, SLC W Lounge, 359-0637, 358 S West Temple, SLC

POLISH

J OKE

Warned by his Uncle Roman that... ”all Polish jokes are true...” young Polish-American Jasiu begins a wild and comic odyssey to escape his fateful heritage. POLISH JOKE is an oddly heartwarming and distinctly funny look at the perils and joys of ethnic identity in America.

FEBRUARY 1-27 For Tickets call 363-SLAC or 355-ARTS

MARTS WHERE SHOULD WE VAN GOGH TONIGHT? Best Amateur Theater PLAN B THEATRE COMPANY www.planbtheatrecompany.org

We’re certainly not the first to notice the amazing work of this small but powerful artistic troupe. With over a decade of awardwinning performances (including many by local writers), as well as a politically-supportive history, Plan B has endeared itself to the readers of Metro.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Pygmalian Productions, pygmalionproductions.org

Best Professional Theater SALT LAKE ACTING COMPANY

THE SALT LAKE ACTING COMPANY 168 WEST 500 NORTH www.saltlakeactingcompany.org

www.saltlakeactingcompany.org

Founded in 1970, The Salt Lake Acting Company has a long commitment to

SALT LAKE MEN’S CHOIR Mail: 825 N. 300 West #NE111 | saltlakemenschoir.org

Over the past 22 years, SLMC has produced two CDs, performed at many events (including the Gay Games in Sydney, Australia) and will soon travel to Washington D.C. to represent the state of Utah. This year’s exciting concerts include the children’s show Oliver Button is a Sissy! and an allmale version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. They may not be the best-known choir from Utah, but they’re certainly the best-loved.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Utah Symphony, 355-ARTS, utahsymphony.org Mormon Tabernacle Choir, 240-4150, mormontabernaclechoir.org

Best Movie Theater BROADWAY CENTRE CINEMA 321-0310 | 111 E Broadway, SLC

Although the art-house draw of the Tower and the beverage advantages of Brewvies (“Duh… Beer!” wrote one voter) gave it some tough competition, Metro readers

w

Tower Theatre and Video, 321-0310, 876 E 900 South, SLC

Brewvies, 355-5500, 677 S. 200 West, SLC

Best Play/Production of 2004 SATURDAY’S VOYEUR June 18-August 22 2004 | Salt Lake Acting Company

Salt Lake Acting Company’s annual event pokes fun at the personalities, politics and people of the Beehive State—and it’s still a huge hit! But you didn’t need us to tell you that. After 26 years, the annual parody show continues crack up an audience on all sides of the cultural divide. It’s coming again, but get your tickets now because the lines are going to get long.

PARK CITY INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL www.parkcityjazz.com | Coming August 26-28, 2005

Taking place at the Deer Valley Resorts, it seems this is one trip up the mountain that our readers certainly don’t mind taking. Attracting strong talent each year, including some Grammy winners, we’re betting that our readers don’t mistake the Park City Jazz Festival for some sort of sporting event.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Blues & Brews Festival, at the Gallivan Center, coming September 9 & 10, 2005

Red Butte Concert Series, redbuttegarden.org

Best Charity Walk/Run/Bike Ride

Utah’s Largest Consignment Store • Consignment • Resale • Retro • Vintage •

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Best Music Festival

57 East 700 South Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 (801) 359-6699 (MOXY)

• Consignment • Resale • Retro • Vintage •

seem to prefer Broadway for cinematic enjoyment. Maybe it’s because the theater offers both big blockbusters and the more unexpected Oscar-quality flicks. Who are we kidding—it’s the cool building and better-than-average concession stand, isn’t it?

Clothing • Furniture • Clothing

HONORABLE MENTIONS: The Producers, Nov. 16-21, 2004, Broadway in Utah.

Confessions of a Mormon Boy, Sept. 23, 2004.

uEVENTS THIS IS NOT A DRILL — THIS IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING!

UTAH AIDS FOUNDATION WALK FOR LIFE www.utahaids.org Coming September 2005

The “AIDS Walk” is still the most beloved of healthy charity activities among our readers. This year’s Walk will be in September, bringing the event back to its fall roots.

Coming up on its 17th year, UAF hopes to see a strong turnout in 2005. You voted for it, now get out and stand behind your vote.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Salt Lake City Race for the Cure (Susan B Ko-

Best Annual Event

men Breast Cancer Foundation), www.komenslc.org, Coming May 7, 2005

UTAH ARTS FESTIVAL www.uaf.org | Coming June 23-26, 2005

Each year on the third weekend of June, the Utah Arts Festival welcomes all Utahns to Library Square. With something for everyone’s tastes—including film, performing arts, visual arts, culinary arts and more—no wonder you told us it was your favorite annual occasion.

HONORABLE MENTIONS Utah Pride, www.utahpride.org, June 8-12, 2005 Sundance Film Festival, festival.sundance.org, coming January 2006

Best Queer Event

Best Weekly or Monthly Event GALLERY STROLL ourcommunityconnection.com | Third Friday of each month from 6-9 p.m.

Want to hobnob with the artistic elite, maybe enjoy some fine food, and take in a lot of art at many of the valley’s top galleries? That’s the idea behind the monthly gallery stroll; participants conduct a selfguided tour through dozens of member galleries, socialize and generally have a fabulous time.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Farmers Market, every Saturday through summer.

Lavender Tribe, www.lavendertribe.org, every Wednesday night at 7:30 at The Center.

Best Live Show of the Past Year

T

he Bungalow

at

N in t h

an d

N in t h

An immaculately kept, fully furnished Arts and Crafts house in the 9th and 9th District of Salt Lake City.

Ideally suited for those who require a serene, home-like environment for a day, a weekend, or longer.

Available for rent $110. per day Visa or MasterCard only Adults only - No pets or smoking

For reservations or color brochure please call or e-mail: 801-582-2515 bungalowslc@comcast.net

SCISSOR SISTERS At Club Suede

www.utahpride.org | Coming June 8-12, 2005

Okay, this category was pretty obvious now that we think about it. Over 90% of responses indicated that Pride was their favorite gay event of the year—and no wonder. Between the festival, parade, dance, interfaith service and more, it’s certainly the community’s most ambitious activity all year long.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Utah AIDS Foundation Oscar Party, utahaids.org, coming February 27, 2005

HONORABLE MENTIONS: RuPaul at Vortex Social Distortion at In The Venue

FEBRUARY 17, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 15

UTAH PRIDE

What? Now you’re all in love with the glam rock band whose lead singer has an ass so tight you can bounce a roll of quarters off it (“I can do lots of things with my ass and a roll of quarters,” replied Jake Shears during the show)? We almost disqualified this because we weren’t sure if it met the “of the past year” qualification, but so many of you apparently grooved out to the Sisters that we allowed it. Just remember, we saw ‘em first!

Best Party of the Past Year

Best Place to Be Seen

UTAH AIDS FOUNDATION OSCAR PARTY

V

www.utahaids.org | coming February 27, 2005

It’s been said that the Academy Awards are the Superbowl of the queer community. Who are we to argue? Fabulous gowns, famous people crying and ruining their mascara, drama and intrigue ... what’s not to love?

Fifteen years ago UAF had a brilliant idea to make the night even better: a fundraiser to mark the occasion. It’s been a box-office smash ever since. This year’s party is at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Gay Day at Lagoon Gay Wendover Weekend, coming Sept. 15-18

Best Time of Year to Party SUMMER Hands down, Metro readers prefer to party while the weather’s warm, the pools are cool, and the shirts are off. Well, summer’s right around the corner, kiddies, let’s start getting some of those party invites at the Metro office.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: New Year’s Halloween

)SHOPPING A CONTACT SPORT Best Mall or Shopping Plaza GATEWAY 456-0000 | 400 W 100 S, SLC

An overwhelming favorite, a few readers even dubbed this popular outdoor mall the “gay-way.” After being built for the Olympics, the Gateway has continued to attract queer shoppers—although we wonder how much of that has to do with the Abercrombie & Fitch store ...

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Fashion Place, 265-0504, 6191 S State St, SLC

Best Place to Browse All Day

W

M

COFFEE GARDEN 355-3425 | 898 S 900 E, SLC

Is it flattering lighting? Hip clientele? Intelligent conversation? Whatever the reason, when you want to be noticed and remembered, park your butt at Coffee Garden and A sip on a large cup of double, skinny, grande mocha (hold the whip).

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Gateway, 456-0000, 400 W 100 S, SLC

Best Place to Buy Clothing COCKERS 359-0406 | 50 S Main St Ste 138, SLC

A tiny oasis of clubwear and underwear in the Crossroads Mall has snagged the spot as the best place to buy clothing. The staff Z is helpful, friendly and easy on the eyes, plus they can help you with a variety of needs from sexy swimwear to cologne.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Nordstrom, four Utah locations Deseret Industries (DI), 13 Utah locations

Best Place to Buy Videos/DVDs VIRGIN MEGASTORE 456-6342 | 12 S 400 W (The Gateway), SLC

Metro readers really loved the Virgin Megastore at the Gateway. With a wide selection of new releases along with a healthy dose of independent and cult favorites, this is our winner for best place to buy your movies.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Best Buy, five Utah locations Media Play, five Utah locations

Best Place to Buy Books W

GATEWAY 456-0000 | 400 W 100 S, SLC

While we’re sure that the shops and stores carry many fascinating items at the Gateway, we suspect that it’s the view of hot guys in the fountains during summer, and attractive gals in the latest styles that really won the readers’ votes in this category.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Dancing Cranes Imports, 486-1129, 673 Simp-

16

■

SALT LAKE METRO ■ FEBRUARY 17, 2005

son Ave, SLC

Sugarhouse, near Highland and 2100 E, SLC

Hit on the Employees OASIS CAFÉ 322-0404 | 151 S 500 E, SLC

It seems that the readers of Metro love to flirt at cafés. We guess it’s the relaxed atmosphere that encourages lengthy stays and conversation. At any rate, Oasis Café tipped the scales for the most flirt-worthy employees. On a side note, some of the people voting for Oasis Café also listed the parking lot outside the joint as the best place to make out. Coincidence? We think not.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Cocoa Caffe, 364-3332, 282 E 900 S, SLC Café Trio, 533-8746, 680 S 900 E, SLC

BARNES & NOBLE (AT SUGARHOUSE) 463-2610 | 1104 E 2100 S, SLC

Although B&N has locations all over the state, readers were very specific about which bookstore they preferred. Although small independent shops like Sam Weller and King’s English had a loyal following in this vote, the resources, scope and location w of the international giant won out. So if you’re looking to meet Mr. Intelligent, you might want to casually hang out at the Gay & Lesbian section of the store.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Sam Weller, 328-2586, 254 S Main St, SLC Borders, three Utah locations King’s English Bookstore, 484-9100, 1511 S 1500 E, SLC

Best Place to Buy Music

Best Place to Buy Plants

VIRGIN MEGASTORE 456-6342 | 12 S 400 W (The Gateway), SLC

QPLACES

When you want a wide selection, few stores can rival the Virgin Megastore.

Whether your tastes run to Broadway, underground electronica, standard pop or indie imports, your best chance of finding it is at Virgin.

IT’S A GAY WORLD AFTER ALL

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

596-0566 | 271 North Center St., SLC

Media Play, five Utah locations Graywhale CD Exchange, 583-9626, 208 S 1300 E, SLC

Antiques or Furniture MOXIE 359-6699 | 57 E 700 S, SLC

Although it’s only been open a few months, Moxie’s warehouse of goodies has made it the hip place to buy new and used furniture or clothing. It is, after all, the largest consignment store in Utah. From a weathered patio set to an inspirational piece of art by a local artist, Moxie has something for everyone—even if you have to dig a little to unearth your gem.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: DeConde’s,355-1727, 270 E 100 S, SLC Z Gallerie, 456-0085, 90 S Rio Grande St, SLC

Best Place to Buy Gifts

Best Place to Take a Date EM’S RESTAURANT CACTUS & TROPICALS 485-2542 | 2735 S 2000 E, SLC

We could spend all day hanging out at Cactus & Tropicals. The large nursery smells so wonderful and is so full of beautiful plants, you almost believe you could get lost in meditation just wandering around. Don’t let that happen though, because the staff (including Metro’s own Brandie Balkan) is very knowledgeable and will help you set up your own garden as a little slice of heaven.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Millcreek Gardens, 487-4131, 3500 S 900 E, SLC

Best Place to Buy Flowers EVERY BLOOMING THING 521-4773 | 444 S 700 E, SLC

Need to say “I screwed up, please don’t leave me!” in a really big way? Trying to earn brownie points with an unexpected bouquet? Don’t know what to send to your boss’ cousin’s son’s wife’s father’s funeral?

Check in with Every Blooming Thing for arrangements, ideas and inspiration for every flower-appropriate occasion.

Roots, 363-7668, 324 S 400 W, SLC Twigs Flower Company, 596-2322, 888 S 900 E

Best Place to Buy Food

Between the tablecloths, votive candles, flowers and scenic locale, it’s no wonder Metro readers associate Em’s with the best spot to impress the future ex-husband.

The food is also excellent without being so heavy you’ll only want to nap afterwards.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

6707, 555 South Main Street, SLC

Golden Braid, 322-1162, 151 S 500 E

Best Place to Work Out

Yeah, the overwhelming majority of you said that the best place to take a second date is home, or some variation of the same thought. So that old joke about lesbians bringing a U-Haul on the second date ... maybe we should all pack an overnight bag at least.

Best Place to Make Out CAR While there were a startling number of creative and interesting answers in this category, the most common response was in the car.

Your automobile isn’t just for transportation any more. And to the reader who suggested that the best place to make out was the desk of Metro Editor Jere Keys, he says it’s fine as long as he gets to run the video camera (or you’re making out with him).

24 HOUR FITNESS (SUGARHOUSE) 466-2030 | 1121 East Ashton Ave, SLC

To be honest, no one thought the blow-out in this category was all that surprising; the gay community has practically taken over this gym. Not that it isn’t a top quality fitness facility, but remember we’re here to lift and stretch, girls, not grab and poke.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Gold’s Gym, twelve Utah locations eNerGY: Nude Yoga, 556-2303, www.mbody.org

Best Place to Get Married RED BUTTE GARDENS

SMITHS, 9th & 9th and 6th Ave and E St., SLC The convenience of being close to home was the first factor in this vote. After that, readers seemed to respond to selection and price in their grocery stores. The Smiths Food & Drug Company stores located at 900 S. & 900 E. and in the Avenues were the most popular choices.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Wild Oats, four Utah locations Liberty Heights Fresh, 467-2434, 1242 S 1100 E.

Best Place to Buy Adult Toys MISCHIEVOUS 530-3100 | 559 S 300 W, SLC

What activity can’t be made more fun by adding rubber, leather, ostrich feathers or batteries? From the most popular of adult toys to those special items that make you raise your eyebrows and ask “What’s that for?” our readers head to Mischievous when they’re ready to get their kink on.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Cahoots, 538-0606, 878 E 900 S, SLC Blue Boutique, 485-2072, 1080 E 2100 S, SLC

You can rent space in this lovely botanical treasure most times of the year, but you should plan ahead because it’s neither cheap nor unpopular. Whether you’re calling it a wedding, commitment ceremony, binding, or “legal joining by a series of properly notarized documents drafted by our lawyer,” the Red Butte Gardens will set a romantic mood and impress your families.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Memory Grove, 135 E North Temple Rose Sachs Garden, 486-6619, Exit 131 traveling westbound I-80 in Parley’s Canyon, SLC

FAIRMONT PARK 2361 S. 900 East, SLC

What’s there to say? Quaint family location by day, target of police action by night, Fairmont Park is a favorite of gay men out for a moonlight stroll. Some of the responses were really quite suggestive, too.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Memory Grove, 135 E North Temple Gateway, 400 W 100 S

Violate Public Decency Laws TEMPLE SQUARE 50 W North Temple, SLC

Well, never let it be said that Metro readers don’t have balls. We suppose if you’re going to engage in a little outdoor recreation that isn’t exactly of the legal variety, you might as well do it in the most sacrilegious, offensive and dangerous way possible.

Take Parents of Gay Children THE GLBT COMMUNITY CENTER OF UTAH 539-8800 | 361 N 300 W, SLC

Bravo for The Center! We’re so proud that many of you feel The Center to be a safe, informative and educational place to take your parents.

HONORABLE MENTION: Utah Pride, www.utahpride.org, Coming June 8-12

Take Children of Gay Parents UTAH PRIDE www.utahpride.org | Coming June 8-12, 2005

Some readers had difficulty with this category (one reader suggested “Oh, just get a dog people!”), but most felt that the annual Gay Pride festival was the best place for Heather’s two mommies to take her. Well, it is a great chance for young people to meet

FEBRUARY 17, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 17

Readers actually voted Mini and BMW separately, ending in a tie where the two sides of the same dealership took the prize in this category. Whether readers were impressed by the selection of expensive, shiny, popular cars, the helpful service department, or the more reasonably priced pre-owned vehicles, Mini/BMW of Murray is our readers’ choice for getting some new wheels.

Afternoon Tea at Grand America Hotel, 258-

Best Place to Take a 2nd Date

Best Place to Cruise

The gift and card shop located at 9th and 9th offers a selection of novelty items, a pride shop full of rainbow-colored items, one of the city’s best selections of lube and a mysterious adult room (What’s back there?

We’ve never been. No, really ... we’re good little boys and girls).

262-2479 | 4735 S State St, Murray

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

581-4747 | 300 Wakara Way, SLC

538-0606 | 878 E 900 S, SLC

MINI/BMW OF MURRAY

A picturesque paradise in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains, our favorite time of year to visit Red Butte Gardens is early spring, when the flowers and plants are just coming to life.

HOME

His House…

This Is the Place Monument, 2601 Sunnyside Ave

CAHOOTS

Best Place to Buy Cars

Best Place to Relax on a Day Off RED BUTTE GARDENS

Panini, 535-4300, 299 S Main St Ste 250

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Basket Loft, three Utah locations Tabula Rasa, 575-5043, 50 S Main St Ste 99, SLC

Fairmont Park, 2361 S. 900 East, SLC MoDiggity’s Dugout, 832-9000, 3424 S State, SLC

581-4747 | 300 Wakara Way, SLC

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

other children of queer people and develop a sense of normality.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Hogle Zoo, 582-1631, 2600 Sunnyside Ave, SLC Salt Lake City Public Library, 524-8200, 210 E 400 S, SLC

Best Place to Get Your Hair Done

M I L L E N N I U M

A P P R O A C H E S

Tony Kushner

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Home Depot, Various Locations 24 Hour Fitness, 466-2030, 1121 E. Ashton Ave, SLC

Escape Utah for the Weekend LAS VEGAS Perhaps the vote was influenced by the fact that we were giving away a Vegas vacation as the drawing prize, but it seems that when we get our fill of the Saints, a few days in Sin City is just the thing we need.

And we’re sending some lucky soul as part of this contest!

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Angels in America Perestroika

Wendover San Francisco

Put the Mother-In-Law While She’s in Town

will be performed as part of the 2005-2006 Babcock season.

HOTEL MONACO 595-0000 | 15 W 200 S, SLC

Awww ... your sweetie’s mom must love you! Monaco is comfortable, convenient, and classy without being pretentious. Of course, if you really cared, you’d give up your bed and sleep on the couches (in separate rooms, of course).

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Directed by L. L. West

University of Utah

Grand America, 258-6000, 555 South Main Street Motel 6, six Utah locations

486-4700 | 1307 S 900 E, SLC

Salt Lake City

Lower level of the Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre B O X

March 2 - 6 & 9 - 12, 2005

SALON RZ

O F F I C E

5 8 1 – 7 1 0 0 3 5 5 – A R T S

The first thing you notice about Salon RZ is the unique and totally awesome waiting room. No one will feel like they’re waiting at the DMV in here. These guys will take care of you before, during and after your makeover.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: The Jagged Edge Retreat, 355-4674, 375 S Main, SLC

Bellezza Salon, 532-7583, 50 S Main St, SLC

Best Place to Ski ALTA

Best Place to Get Counseling PRIDE COUNSELING 595-0666 | 352 Denver St Ste 240, SLC

Several readers didn’t want to fess up about where they get their heads shrunk. Apparently clients of Pride Counseling don’t feel the same degree of shame about naming the therapists who help them get in touch with their inner children. As the name implies, these guys aren’t afraid to be out in their desire to help the community.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Don Austin, 485-9225, 1390 S 1100 E Ste 101, SLC

359-1078 | Hwy 210, Alta

In one of Utah’s biggest tourist industries, it can be difficult to know which resort really does have the “Best Snow on Earth” amid all the hype and advertising budgets. Well, the local Metro readers, who have had time to explore the different mountains, say that for their money, they’re heading up to Alta.

Get a Tattoo or Piercing

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Snowbird, 933-2222, Hwy 210, Snowbird Brighton, 532-4731, Star Rte, Brighton

Best Place to Enjoy the View ABOVE THE CAPITOL BUILDING

18

■

SALT LAKE METRO ■ FEBRUARY 17, 2005

Near Girard Ave. and Main Street, SLC

Because of its valley setting, the Salt Lake area offers many dazzling vantage points of the city. However, for ease and aesthetics, Metro readers prefer to park above the Capitol Building. We have to love the irony of a bunch of gay folk looking down on the center of Utah politics while doing the things one often does while “parking” at night.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Wells Fargo Building, 299 S Main St, SLC

Enjoy the View of Guys/Girls UNIVERSITY OF UTAH Frat boys, theater majors and returned missionaries, oh my! The Utes may have gained national attention for having an undefeated football season, but the readers of Metro are paying attention for a whole lot of other reasons.

KOI 463-7070 | 1301 S 900 E Ste 7, SLC

Well, you won’t be getting a tattoo at Koi, but they’ll pierce anything you like. With a funky selection of jewelry, sterile procedures and great African-themed art, be careful or you might just start coming back until your face looks like Pinhead in Hellraiser.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Big Deluxe, 355-1696, 730 S State St, SLC Two Kats Tatsii, 466-8002, 1576 S State St, SLC

Best Place to Get a Massage (tie)

Best Political or Service Org. UTAH AIDS FOUNDATION www.utahaids.org | 487-2323 | 1408 S 1100 E, SLC

THE KURA DOOR 364-2400 | 1136 E. Third Ave, SLC

PRIDE MASSAGE 486-5500 | 1800 S West Temple Ste A224, SLC

While both locations provide excellent massage services, the two winners in this category are very distinctive. The Kura Door is a full service spa based on Japanese treatments where you will be treated like royalty. Pride Massage gives equally excellent customer service without the intimidating or seemingly pretensious spa stuff—in fact, they go out of their way to make sure you’re comfortable with the experience, including coming to you if necessary.

Although we could tell it was a difficult choice since many people responded with comments like “they’re all great,” kudos to the Utah AIDS Foundation for inspiring confidence in the community and for doing such important work to deal with the great plague. Commemorating 20 years in 2005, UAF is the oldest and certainly most visible HIV/AIDS service organization in the state, and it’s the favorite charity among Salt Lake Metro’s readers. At a time when other state’s AIDS organizations are faltering, UAF continues to lead the region in education, support, and services.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Equality Utah, www.equalityutah.org, 355-3479, 175 W. 200 South, Ste. 2010, SLC

Human Rights Campaign, contact Mariott at 486-7373 or marriottms@comcast.net.

Best Religious Organization

HONORABLE MENTIONS: UCMT, 521-3330, 25 S 300 E, SLC

Take Fido and Phydeux for Their ‘Do’ DOG SHOW 466-6100 | 1508 S. 1500 East, SLC

Although many people suggested great places to do it yourself, most of our readers agreed to leave the pet grooming to the experts. Trust us, taking the “kids” to Dog Show is probably a much better idea than shaving your poodle on your crazy neighbor’s lawn.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: PetSmart, seven Utah locations.

Lucky’s Dogs Resort, 746-2865, 255 N 400 W

Best Place to Get Drilled SUGARHOUSE DENTAL SPA 466-6645 | 2036 S. 1300 East, Ste D, SLC

Dr. Kirkland Graham has a great sense of humor and makes his patients feel perfectly at ease. Whether you’re in need of routine maintenance, just a cleaning, or cosmetic dentistry like you’d see on Extreme Makeover, Metro readers suggest you visit the Sugarhouse Dental Spa first.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Greg Perkins, 255-4870, 1275 Fort Union Blvd #215 Michael Williamson, 966-4481, 4735 S 2700 W

tORGANIZATIONS Best Social Organization SWERVE

First Unitarian Church, 582-8687, 569 S 1300 E, SLC South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society, 944-9723, 6876 Highland Dr, SLC Ogden Unitarian Universalist Church, 394-3338, 2261 Adams Ave, Ogden

Unitarian Universalism is a difficult religion to define. The UU welcomes people of many diverse faiths as well as atheist, humanists and agnostics. It comes as no big surprise, then, that a religious body so open-minded would also be the place where the most Metro readers also feel at home.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Episcopal Church, twelve Utah congregations Sacred Light of Christ Metropolitan Community Church, 595-0052, 823 S 600 E, SLC

Best Gay Sports Organization QUEER UTAH AQUATIC CLUB (QUAC) 232-7961 | www.quacquac.org

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Oh sure, this vote had nothing to do with guys in Speedos and gals in two-pieces, now did it? All joking aside, QUAC is a great organization welcoming swimmers at all levels of skill and experience. While the focus is on improving individual swim times, the group competes at international competitions and also has great fun as a social group.

GLYA (Gay LDS Young Adults), www.glya.com,

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

www.swerveutah.com | Monthly meetings on the third Sunday of each month at The Center, 7 p.m.

The lesbian-focused social and civic organization garnered the most votes in this category. The group is known for keeping an open mind about a great many types of activities and projects.

check online calendar for upcoming events.

Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire, www.rcgse.org, check online calendar for events.

Gay & Lesbian Soccer, 339-6128 Pride Softball League, 541-6000

FEBRUARY 17, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 19

ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM

LPEOPLE OUR HEROES

ing smile and gregarious manner, he can actually mix up some pretty good drinks, too? Of course you did. That’s why you’ve selected him as the best bartender in the state of Utah. And he’s single, boys!

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Best Leader of a Queer Org.

Stan @ Try-Angles Amanda Madsen @ Oasis Cafe

Best Local Actor or Actress AARON SWENSON (Hedwig & The Angry Inch) Technically, Hedwig and the Angry Inch occurred all the way back in 2003. That didn’t seem to bother Metro readers though, as Swenson (who played the title role) received the most votes for best actor based on his turn as the rock star with the botched sex change operation.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: SCOTT MCCOY

Alexis Baigue (Saturday’s Voyeur, Beyond Therapy) Annette Wright (Saturday’s Voyeur, Jazz commercials)

Don’t Amend Alliance Campaign Director

Voting for the Utah’s Best competition was already over when news broke that McCoy was selected as a new State Senator and Utah’s second openly gay political office holder. While he’s moving on to bigger and better things, it’s his work on the Don’t Amend Campaign that has endeared him to hundreds of Metro readers.

Straight Advocate for Gay Rights

Family Fellowship

Lifetime members of the LDS church, Gary and Millie responded to the news that they had gay children by devoting much of their time to causes like PFLAG and the Family Fellowship, groups that help other parents cope with learning their children are gay.

The Watts also appeared in television commercials for the Don’t Amend Alliance.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Teinamarie Nelson, Don’t Amend Alliance Missy Larsen, The GLBT Community Center of Utah

Best Local or State Politician REP. JACKIE BISKUPSKI (D-SALT LAKE CITY)

20

■

SALT LAKE METRO ■ FEBRUARY 17, 2005

Most Metro readers consider Utah’s first openly lesbian elected official our best politician, with Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson coming in a close second. Rep. Biskupski has been a lone voice for the community on Capitol Hill until very recently; she’s now joined by Sen. Scott McCoy.

While many readers voted for Utah in the general sense, out of civic pride we discounted those votes (hey, there are worse places that Utah, trust us!). So, by including Provo, BYU and other areas in Utah County, Metro readers agree that the ultra-red county to the south is neither a great place to visit nor a great place to live. To our brothers and sisters south of the cultural divide, you have our sympathy.

Worst Night of the Week to Go Out MONDAY ROCKY ANDERSON

GARY & MILLIE WATTS

Worst Place to be Queer UTAH COUNTY

Main Street Plaza

Michael Mitchell, Equality Utah Executive Director Micah Jensen, Salt Lake Men’s Choir President

Best Volunteer for a Queer Org.

In the biggest blow-out of the entire ballot, Gayle Ruzicka is the undisputed champion of anti-gay causes. This Eagle Forum spokeswoman has been called many names, from the grande dame of conservative politics to much worse. Now we’re pleased to officially dub her “the most anti-gay activist” in the state of Utah.

We wonder if she feels even the slightest twinge of remorse over the fact that an entire community dislikes her.

DISHONORABLE MENTIONS:

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Mayor of Salt Lake City

Since taking office, the mayor of Salt Lake City has made no secret of his support for gay rights. Through appearances at gay events, discussion forums on gay topics and more, Rocky’s been uncompromising in his battles with a mostly conservative political machine. He’s been attacked and criticized for his gung-ho political style, but Metro readers don’t care—they love him just the same.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Rep. David Litvack, Hate Crime bill sponsor Gary & Millie Watts, PFLAG Parents extraordinaire

KTHE WORST WE DON’T WANT YOUR KIND AROUND HERE Most Anti-Gay Politician

ABOUT US

Most Anti-Gay Activist GAYLE RUZICKA

Note to club owners: Make Mondays more interesting. It should be a great night to party—while all the Mormons are having “family home evening” we could own this state. Yet Metro readers say that it’s the night they’re least likely to head out.

DISHONORABLE MENTIONS: Tuesdays

Person Who Most Needs to Get Out of Utah GAYLE RUZICKA She won’t listen to us, but the majority of Metro readers would like Ruzicka to retire her anti-gay rhetoric to anywhere else— preferably a blue state where she’ll get a taste of what being a minority voice is like. Anyone want to start raising funds to buy her a condo in south-central L.A.?

DISHONORABLE MENTIONS: “Me” Olene Walker

Biggest Scandal of the Year

WE’D LIKE TO THANK THE LITTLE PEOPLE Best Metro News Writer NICHOLAS RUPP “Never have I seen such shameless ballot stuffing!” pronounced Editor Jere when word came that feature writer and proofreader Nick Rupp had overtaken him in this category. He was just kidding, of course, and admits that all Salt Lake Metro writers deserve awards. Nick stands out from the crowd, though, for his thorough, investigative style in articles like “PnP: Crystal Meth” and “Who Bankrolled ‘Yes on 3?’”

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Jere Keys Darren Tucker

Best Metro Columnist LAURIE MECHAM “ABERRANT” A few weeks ago, a friend of Laurie’s introduced the world to the hilarious and intelligent “AberRant” via a popular blog site. Not only did Metro online readership rise dramatically, but Laurie started getting fan mail from straight women all over the country. Well, they can’t have her; she’s ours and we’re not letting her go!

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Ruby Ridge “You All Deserve a Hug!”

Best Metro Article/Feature/Story PNP: CRYSTAL METH (NICHOLAS RUPP)

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Invisible Youth (Alexandra Woodruff) 2004 Year in Review (Various)

"OTHER

SEN. CHRIS BUTTARS

Mayor Rocky Anderson (D-Salt Lake City)

(R-West Jordan)

NANCY WORKMAN

Recently, the Tribune reported that when Buttars learned his new colleague at the State Senate would be Scott McCoy, his only response was “The gay?” followed by no comment. Several months ago, when challenged by a political flyer, he opined to the media that the gays were “out to get” him. Well, since he sponsored Amendment 3 and has remained one of the most vocal opponents of hate crime legislation and any other bill he thinks might advance queer causes—maybe some readers of the Metro do want to “get him.” Certainly, none of us will be shedding tears if he retired from politics.

The antics and shenanigans of the former Salt Lake County Mayor have made the name “Workman” synonymous with “scandal” in the state of Utah. Whether funneling money into the Boys and Girls Club to benefit her daughter, providing luxury vehicles and gas to double-compensated employees, or favorable treatment for political supporters, the readers of Metro think that Workman’s actions have provided the biggest and most ongoing stories of the year. Her acquital just before press time is unlikely to change our readers’ minds.

KCPW

DISHONORABLE MENTIONS:

FOX 13 / KSTU

BRETT HUDSON @ HEADS UP Hey, did you know that if you get beyond Brett’s boy-next-door appeal, his charm-

DISHONORABLE MENTIONS: Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) Rep. LaVar Christensen (R-Draper)

Amendment 3

N

Published in August, the Metro cover story about the connection between crystal methamphetamine, the queer community, and HIV has left the most lasting impression on Metro readers. Well, of course! It had sex, drugs and ... okay, there was no rock n’ roll to speak of. But did we mention it had sex and drugs?

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Best Bartender/Barback/Server

A

Best Radio Station 1010 AM, 88.3 FM and 105.3 FM.

Broadcasting out of Library Square, the National Public Radio affiliate that offers local, national and world news 24 hours a day is the favorite among Metro readers, beating out music-format stations and other talk radio offerings.

A

HONORABLE MENTIONS: KRCL 90.9 FM KXRX 96.3 FM “X96”

Best Television News Program While the Fox networks are known for their decidedly conservative bias, Metro readers don’t seem to have much objection to the way local Fox 13 newscasters handle the

A

news. Several readers specifically called out the Good Day Utah morning news. The chiseled good looks of anchor Dan Evans and weatherman Damon Yauney definitely aren’t hurting things either.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: BBC America, KBYU 10:00 p.m. weeknights ABC 4, KTVX

Best Lube

undervalued and often maligned forms of entertainment—know your shit! In our experience, you can’t walk into a Night Flights store without getting into a conversation with the staff about the latest trends, employee recommendations (if you like that, have you checked out…) and even politics. A wide selection of titles can be found anywhere, a staff this gregarious and helpful is rare.

Best Theater Space ROSE WAGNER CENTER FOR THE PERF. ARTS

don’t know how Sean finds so many gorgeous hunks willing to show off—but we’re not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Best Website to Visit and Leave the Door Unlocked WWW.GAY.COM Still the foremost method of online cruising, if you can show us a gay Utah man without a gay.com profile, we’ll show you real live unicorn! Just remember, boys, that objects on gay.com may be smaller than they appear.

while we admire the A.G.’s opposition to Amendment 3 and support of Hate Crime legislation, Sen. Bell has taken a real leadership role in sponsoring and advocating laws which (gasp) treat gay people fairly under Utah law. If the Log Cabin Republicans can support and find more moderate voices like Bell’s, there’s still hope for the Grand Old Party.

Best Example of Utah Screwing Over Gay Youth

355-2787 | 138 W Broadway, SLC

Actually, many readers misunderstood our category asking for the names of theatrical troupes and listed buildings where they enjoyed seeing live theater. Taking those votes into account, the readers seem to enjoy performances at Rose Wagner best. We guess that’s a sign of $7.3 million well spent on constructing one of the best performing arts spaces in the west.

EROS Since 1992, Pjur and its affiliates have sold millions of bottles of personal lubricant around the world. Leading the pack is its brand name Eros. With a variety of options (from aqua to bodyglide) it should be a snap finding the safest, smoothest product for your individual pleasure.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: ID Spit

Best Pick-up Line

Best Place to Fake n’ Bake ELECTRIC RAYZZ TANNING SALON 583-8815 | 231 S 1300 E, SLC

Oh admit it, you hate the pasty whiteness of your skin by the time January rolls around and you’re desperate to get back to that tall, dark and handsome state. Either that or you’re eager to get rid of those unsightly temple garment tan lines. Stop by Electric Rayzz for a bit of UltraViolet cooking to hold you over to the warmer weather.

Best Coffee Shop

“WANNA FUCK?” HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Best Reason to Have Internet Access Besides Porn YAHOO! GROUPS (GROUPS.YAHOO.COM) With a plethora of Yahoo! Groups—email lists people can voluntarily subscribe to—focused on the local community (i.e.

Utah_Stonewall_History, UtahQueerEvents, SLMetro, etc.) you can get announcements on anything from politics to parties, debate topical issues and spread the news through this popular forum.

Best Local Blog We’ve Seen HTTP://WWW.EYELECTRICITY.COM/MT/DB/ Titled “Latter Gay Saint Blog: A compendium of thoughts, experiences & observations from a gay, ex-Mormon,” this blog is funny and informative. We admit that there are possibly hundreds of blogs out there, so if you know of any you’d like to recommend, send us an email.

Best Excuse to be a Log Cabin Republican SEN. GREG BELL (R-FRUIT HEIGHTS) You thought we were going to say Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, didn’t you? Well,

Fuck me if I’m wrong, but have we met before?

Nice shoes…wanna fuck?

QUEER KICK ASH PROGRAM First the schools prevented gay youth from expressing a socially responsible antismoking message on t-shirts, then the state cancelled funding for the Queers Kick Ash program at The Center leaving a major funding hole in the non-profit’s work with gay youth—the only anti-smoking program to lose funding this year. Combined with the constant anti-gay rhetoric coming from state lawmakers, singling kids out who are making a healthy and smart choice to avoid tobacco is nothing short of shameful.

Salt Lake Metro Utah’s Best of 2005 was compiled and written by Jere Keys who holds no grudges for not winning the coveted Best Metro News Writer award.

Best Way to Come Out to Mom and Dad FAST & TESTIMONY MEETING HONORABLE MENTIONS: Bumper Sticker: I kiss girls/boys Get a byline in the Salt Lake Metro Get caught going at it Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad. I’m gay.

COFFEE GARDEN

VOUR PICKS

Okay, so after we printed up the ballots, we realized that there were other deserving categories to be considered. A few readers wrote in their nomination in non-existing categories and we came up with some ourselves.

Best German Restaurant 479-7561 | 4387 Harrison Blvd Ste 9, Ogden

Achtung! There are more fine German exports than cars and Oktoberfest. Wienerschnitzel, Rahmschnitzel, Sauerbraten and many robust beers make a delightful dining experience. This Bavarian-themed restaurant is a truly Continental experience.

Best Place to Buy Comic Books NIGHT FLIGHT COMICS Cottonwood Mall: 272-8343, 4835 So. Highland Dr., SLC At Library Square: 532-1188, 210 East 400 South, SLC

Queer as Folk and The Simpsons images of comic book sellers aside, there’s one golden rule if you hope to make a living selling these

How could we miss such an important category as best coffee shop? Well, our readers snuck the Coffee Garden in as Best Place to Be Seen, but we thought it important to recognize them as best in the doling of java. How many locally-owned coffee shops can boast out-grossing a Starbucks that opens right across the street?

Utahn Who Needs His Own Reality Show KEN JENNINGS Okay, so all we really want to see is the Jeopardy champion covered in ants or forced to eat elephant testicles or something. Mr. Smarty Pants has reached the point of media overkill in Utah previously occupied by Ed Smart, father of Elizabeth.

Website to Visit with Tissues WWW.SEANCODY.COM It’s the story of a good-old-fashioned Mormon boy growing up to make lots and lots of online porn. SeanCody.com is one of the most talked about sites on the internet getting “straight” boys to drop trou and explore their boundaries for a little cash. We

FEBRUARY 17, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 21

BAVARIAN CHALET GERMAN RESTAURANT

355-3425 | 898 S 900 E, SLC

OSCAR NIGHT, SEE FEB. 27

THE GAY AGENDA 17THURSDAY You and I both know that if there’s one thing gays love, its improv comedy. The Best of the Best are coming to Salt Lake this week—you know and love them from Whose Line Is It Anyway?, and

now here’s your chance to spend AN EVENING WITH COLLIN MOCHRIE AND BRAD SHERWOOD. Their show, which has been playing to sold-out crowds all over the country, is like a live version of the TV show, full of audience interaction and PG-13 comedy. Heaven knows Utah

has far more than its share of improv troupes, but none of them can tell you what Drew Carey is like in person.

8pm, Abravanel Hall, 123 W. Temple. Tickets $32.50 to $44.50, 355-2787 or arttix.org

18FRIDAY Oh, how I love the BRAVO BROADWAY concerts of the UTAH SYMPHONY. Maestro Keith and the gang always bring in fantastic talent fresh from Broadway—and this year is no exception: Salt Lake, get ready to welcome CHRISTIANE NOLL, who memorably originated the role of Emma in Broadway’s Jekyll and Hyde. I challenge you to determine for yourself whether I mean than snidely or not. According to a rather contradictory statement on the USO website, “Bravo Broadway returns to the glitter and glamour of Hollywood’s golden era with a tribute to FRED ASTAIRE and GINGER ROGERS.” Whatever—just bring on the dancing boys.

22

■

SALT LAKE METRO ■ FEBRUARY 17, 2005

8pm through Sat., Abravanel Hall, 123 W. Temple. Tickets $20-45, 533-NOTE, arttix.org.

No sense talking too much about it, since most of you have seen it before and the strong majority of you don’t like to think about it anyway, but today the ASUU PRESENTER’S OFFICE presents members of the Salt Lake community as well as U of U students in a production of Eve Ensler’s now immortal VAGINA MONOLOGUES. The show is a benefit for VDay, a national fundraising day for organizations devoted to stopping violence against women.

7:30pm through Feb. 19, Kingsbury Hall, Presidents’ Circle at the University of Utah.

Tickets $25, 581-7100 or kingsburyhall.com.

19SATURDAY Modern Dance is all about risk, and I can think of no greater risk than taking a gaggle of non-dancers, putting them together with a professional choreographer, and then charging admission to the public.

But that’s what RDT will be doing tonight when it presents GATHERING PLACE. While the concept sounds a little shaky, we’re talking about one of the nation’s best dance companies here. They can make

anyone look good. Stay for the after party and dance from 9:00 to midnight.

8pm, Jeanne Wagner Theatre, 138 W. 300 South. Tickets $25, 355-2787 or arttix.org.

20SUNDAY To the outside world, a homo is a homo is a homo. But we know that our internal diversity is as varied as ... as the color stories in the Paul Smith spring line.

Come celebrate the wide and diverse world of Photogenic Lesbians at the HRC and MODIGGITY’S L WORD PREMIERE EVENT. Ah, Jennifer Beals. She’s just never gotten her due.

Doors open at 3pm, screenings at 4pm, 7pm, and 10pm, MoDiggity’s, 3424 S. State. Free, but MoDiggity’s is s a private club for members, so you must be 21, 577-3802.

21MONDAY It was announced this week that a play commissioned and premiered by SLAC has won a national theatre award. Pretty impressive. You too can be impressive— by attending a FREE READING at SLAC’s New Play Sounding Series. You’ll get the chance to hear another quality new play before it ever hits the stage! Tonight, company dramaturge Mike Dorrell presents his newest piece, ART FOR ART’S SAKE. I suggest you go, for your own sake.

7:30pm, Salt Lake Acting Company, 168 W. 500 North. Free, 363-SLAC.

22TUESDAY Why stop at one reading when you can attend two? Everyone’s frothing at the mouth about Finding Neverland, the J.M. Barrie biopic. But has anyone you know ever read a Barrie play other than Peter Pan? Providing yet another chance for you to be The Cultured One amongst your set, STAGERIGHT THEATRE COMPANY presents a reading of Barrie’s WHAT EVERY WOMAN KNOWS. No Johnny Depp, of course, but what’re you gonna do?

He can’t be everywhere. He’s not Tobey Maguire, after all.

7:30pm through Feb 23, StageRight Theater, 5001 S. Highland. $5 general admission, $4 students, 272-3445 or info@stageright.org.

24THURSDAY It’s no secret that our Center has been going through rough times lately. But there’s a reason we call it a Community Center; in order for the place to work properly, we all need to take some ownership in it. Here’s you chance to get involved and GET CENTERED! Bring your own lunch and come meet and ask questions of the staff & board of the GLBTCCU. 11:30am, GLBT Community Center, 361 N. 300 West. Free, 539-8800.

25FRIDAY I can’t stress this enough: if you don’t take advantage of the productions presented by the nationally-acclaimed performing arts programs at the University of Utah, you are nothing less than what my little cousin John might call a stupid idiot. Go see the PERFORMING DANCE COMPANY’S SPRING CONCERT. My friend Matthew, who’s in the show, tells me that there’s some simulated sex, so even you philistines should be entertained.

7:30pm, Marriott Center for Dance, 330 S. 1500 East. Tickets $9.50, 355-2787, arttix.org

27SUNDAY The Holy of Holies. The Gay Super Bowl.

The Most Glamorous Night of the Year.

Or, as Johnny Carson put it, two hours of sparkling entertainment spread over four hours. Call it what you will, but everyone knows that in Utah, there’s only one place to spend Oscar Night if you want to see and be seen. And that place is the UTAH AIDS FOUNDATION 15TH ANNUAL OSCAR NIGHT AMERICA. This year, feast on sumptuous food by Bambara, listen to great jazz, see your favorite local ABC celebrities, but most of all, exploit the opportunity to look your hottest while contributing to one of our community’s most important causes.

L WORD. SEE FEB. 20

6pm, Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W. 300 South. Tickets $100, 355-2787 or arttix.org

1TUESDAY Every year, the U of U Theatre Department mounts a production to celebrate Women’s Week. Past shows have included the harrowing ‘night Mother, but this year’s choice is a dramatization by Joan Holden of Barbara Ehrenreich’s best-selling book NICKEL AND DIMED. If attending the theatre en masse will help women get their rightful place in society instead of just one token week, then I say get thy ass in a seat.

7pm, Jeanne Wagner Theatre, 138 W. 300 South. Tickets $25, 355-2787 or arttix.org

2WEDNESDAY One final shout out to my alma mater: I can’t say for certain that this story is true, but my theatre history professor once told me that while Tony Kushner was developing ANGELS IN AMERICA at the Sundance Lab, he approached the U’s theatre department about mounting an early draft of the play. The faculty apparently read it and, suffering from collective dementia, passed. I think they did something Chekovian instead. Alas, good things come to those who wait: the BABCOCK THEATRE presents part one of the saga, MILLENIUM APPROACHES, starting tonight. Some thirteen or so years later. But who’s counting, right?

7:30pm Wed–Sat, 7pm Sun., 2pm Matinee Sat. through Mar. 12, Babcock Theatre, 300 S. 1400 East. Tickets $12, 355-2787, arttix.org.

5SATURDAY Help us honor our UTAH’S BEST OF 2005 winners at a special awards ceremony. Benefits The Center.

7pm, Black Box at The Center, 361 N. 300 West. $5 donation at the door. 323-9500.

EarPiece Toriphile

by Eric J. Tierney eric@slmetro.com

mysticism and New Age-y topics that can make some of us uncomfortable. She’s been playing the piano now for about forty years, and has been composing for let’s say thirty-five, so she is the ultimate rarity in pop music—an actual musician, and the complexity of both her writing and producing reflect as much. So what’s really happening with Tori is that she’s working as an artist in the altruistic sense—rather than playing down to our expectations, she’s talking about what she wants to talk about, saying how she wants to say it, and we can all de damned if it seems out-there or unapproachable.

She knows her audience, and knows her commercial limitations, so she doesn’t care about her marketability. Besides, the fact that she’s not as easy to listen to as, say, Sarah McLachlan (Tori’s less talented, safer doppelganger) doesn’t keep her from selling out Radio City for three nights, as she happily points out in the book.

Tori’s newest album, The Beekeeper, will be released February 22. I am eagerly looking forward to it, and dreading it slightly, since the last few albums have been a little disappointing. But I’m grateful for Piece by Piece—and I encourage both her fans and those who find her interminably annoying to read it—because whatever I think of the record, I’ll at have a little more insight into why she’s done what she’s done. I’m holding out, though, for one more agonized piano ballad to listen to, alone in the dark with my Tori-style pain.

FEBRUARY 17, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 23

As I’ve mentioned before in this space, I am what is sometimes known as a Toriphile. This is a mental illness common in adolescents and young adults who have been relegated to outsider status—typically gays, socially-awkward young women, vegetarians, Goths, Mods, and a certain variety of thirty-five year-old woman whose diet consists chiefly of soy, who takes summer vacations in places like Taos, and who holds a nondescript lowlevel corporate job. Presenting symptoms include an oppressive sense of loneliness, a tendency toward maudlin emotion, and a desperate need for a sense of understanding in the form of social acceptance.

Toriphiles are regarded as freakish zealots who worship at the throne of a fairy-loving, sophomoric poseur. I, of course, do not find this to be true, but it begs the question: is it worse to be such a cultural oddity, or to be the acolyte of one?

Tori, I’m afraid, is tragically misunderstood, even by myself.

Rock journalists used to covering the Good Charlottes and Vanessa Carltons of the music world are almost invariably threatened and intimidated by her singular methods of speaking and thinking, are unfamiliar with the mythological and archetypal bases of her work, and label her with unimaginative adjectives like “flaky,” “weird,” or “spacey.” The truth is that Amos has, over the past almost-thirteen years since the release of Little Earthquakes, grown considerably as a woman and an artist, and is probably just a little too sophisticated for the pop idiom in which she works.

I became a devotee because I identified with the pain and struggle so plaintively captured in the confessional style of her first three albums. My eventual estrangement came about when Amos came to terms with her life, started writing less compellingly about herself, and became something of a Joseph Campbell of pop music: doing enough research into the nature and power of myth to write and defend one hell of a dissertation for a PhD in cultural anthropology, but cramming it instead into one album after another, each more esoteric than the last.

I mention all of this because I have begun recently to resolve my love-hate feelings about Amos with the help of a book she co-authored with (good) rock journalist Ann Powers. The tome is titled Tori Amos: Piece

by Piece, and it is an extraordinarily intimate gaze at her life as an artist, as a person, and as a personality. I once thought Tori’s muse had been lost once she stopped singing about breakups and miscarriages, and that the sonic re-imagination of her composition and production styles that took place with fromthechoirgirlhotel was mostly a result

of the new studio she’d built for herself and her fascination with the accompanying bells and whistles. How astonishing to discover that even I, who have invested thousands of dollars in her music and have been a diligent listener for ten years, could have so misjudged her motives.

We expect very little from pop musicians: they sing chiefly about love or the lack of love, they craft memorable and unchallenging tunes which are arranged and produced in pretty much standard format, they tour around the country every summer and perform these same songs for us live, and they consent to be interviewed for publications like Rolling Stone where they expound on their own songwriting and “artistic” abilities, arguing that they are the exception to the mass-marketing rule, making us feel better about not only purchasing, but enjoying, their music.

Tori Amos expects a lot more from us.

Yes, her lyrics can seem almost nonsensical to not just the casual listener, but even the seasoned Tori vet. She does talk about

24

■

SALT LAKE METRO ■ FEBRUARY 17, 2005

Rib Alley

by Vanessa Chang vanessa@slmetro.com

Address: 533 S. 500 West, Salt Lake City Phone: 359-9926 Hours: Mon-Thurs 11:00am-9:00pm Fri 11:00am-10:00pm Sat 12:30pm-10:00pm Reservations recommended All major credit cards accepted Handicap accessible

FEBRUARY 17, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 25

If you’ve ever wondered about the power of food, consider what I call the Fried Chicken Factor. When a platter stacked high with hot, crispy chicken was presented to the table next to us at Rib Alley, every single person’s face transformed into ear-to-ear smiles as if they’ve been told “It’s a boy!” or “It’s a Lexus!” My companion and I could smell the seasonings and wondered quietly to ourselves how something as simple as flour, salt, and pepper mingling in hot oil could produce such a beautiful thing.

Rib Alley is all about home cooking— plain and gloriously simple. But we’re not talking Johanna’s Country Kitchen with its kitsch marketability and décor. Jimmy Reynolds and his family have put together a sophisticated take on down home cooking without an ounce of pretension tacked to its stylish aubergine walls, or the menu prices. Forget the disposable tableware, this is home cooking with class. The service is friendly and you’re likely to see a member of the family running away tending some sort of business. The place is tucked away in the warehouse district downtown and once you get there, you’ll never forget it.

As the moniker suggests, the place is famous for its ribs. Tender, fall off-thebone, what Tony-Roma-can-only-dream-of ribs. Made from a family recipe that adopts the “low-n-slow” school of cooking, the result is near orgasmic. The first bite makes time move in slow motion. Flavored from the depths of the bones, the soft rib meat has just enough fat to create an incredible mouth feel. It’s slathered with Jimmy’s bar-

becue sauce that’s balanced with sweet and tart notes, but ends with a little spicy kick to ward off any candy-like nuances. Order by the half or full rack.

Other entrees include the memorable fried chicken, barbecued chicken, tender beef brisket (also with a dose of the house BBQ sauce), and hot links. The fried catfish is a pleasant surprise with a perfectly seasoned cornmeal crust that comes sizzling hot and, with a squeeze of fresh lemon, is irresistible to eat. If you’re really hungry you can order the combo platter, which gives you a half-order of ribs and your choice of three other meats. You can even order family-style platters (as the table of six did with the fried chicken) and enjoy a plethora of side dishes. With a dinner entrée, I’m sorry to say that you’ve got to limit yourself to two.

The sides could make a great meal in themselves. Cornbread, not too sweet and delivered warm at the beginning of the meal, is the culinary equivalent of a maternal kiss. Hush puppies are so crunchy it belies the baby soft interior of scallioninfused and slightly sweet cornmeal dough.

The collard greens are cooked with fatback for just a touch of smoky pork flavor.

They’re a perfect palate cleanser for all the other rich options. Otherwise, you can keep it rich with made from scratch mac ‘n cheese and mashed potatoes (sans gravy).

The peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream is imbued with just enough cinnamon to make it nostalgically fragrant. During the summer, fresh local fruit feature in the dessert and that’s when it reaches superstar status. But the sweet potato pie shouldn’t be missed. Tubers for dessert? Absolutely.

It’s like pumpkin pie, but better. It’s velvet in your mouth, tinged with a natural sweetness in the root veg and complemented with a little brown sugar to make it really sing.

So when the winter hunger pangs hit, strike back with a bit of love, a lot of food, and a little faith in the Fried Chicken Factor. Happy eating.

Di ing Guide Dining de SALT LAKE CITY, UT

Fiddler’s Elbow

Café Med

fiddlerselbowslc.com

1063 E. 2100 S. / 463-9393

420 E. 3300 S. / 493-0100 HOURS: SU-TH 11AM-9PM F-SA 11AM-10PM CUISINE: MEDITERRANEAN PRICE: $ CARDS: TC AE D MC V

M-TH 11AM-11PM F-SA 11AM-12AM SU 9AM-10PM CUISINE: AMERICAN PRICE: $ CARDS: TC AE D MC V

Persian, Greek, Italian, Turkish and Vegetarian in a warm, relaxing atmosphere.

32 beers to choose from, including Utah’s best selection of microbrews.

Coffee Garden

Metropolitan

898 S 900 E / 355-3425 HOURS: SU-TH 6AM-11PM F-SA 6AM-12AM CUISINE: COFFEEHOUSE PRICE: ¢ CARDS: AE D MC V

SLC’s buzzing java shop with a diverse crowd. Sandwiches, desserts, sidewalk dining.

HOURS:

173 W. Broadway/ 364-3472

themetropolitan.com HOURS: CUISINE: PRICE: CARDS:

MO-TH 6-10PM FR-SA 6-11PM AMERICAN $$$$ AE DC D MC V

Creative takes on New American cuisine. Exquisite presentation. SLC treasure.

Michelangelo Ristorante 2156 S, HIGHLAND DR./ 466-0961

michelangeloristorante.com HOURS: CUISINE: PRICE: CARDS:

TU-SA 11:30AM-1:30PM 5:45-9PM ITALIAN $$ AE D MC V

Nick-N-Willy’s Pizza

Xiao Li

4538 S, HIGHLAND DR./ 273-8282

nicknwillyspizza.com

SU-TH 11AM-10PM F-SA 11AM-12PM CUISINE: PIZZA PRICE: $ CARDS: AE D MC V HOURS:

307 W. 200 SOUTH / 328-8688 HOURS: LUNCH: 1130AM-2:30PM DINNER: 4:30-10PM F-SA 4:30-11PM CUISINE: CHINESE PRICE: $ CARDS: TC AE D MC V

Dine in or take-out. Call ahead and we’ll have it ready. Albertsons Shopping Ctr.

The restaurant that serves the most authentic Szechwan and Mandarin cuisine.

Orbit Cafe

Gringo’s West Valley

SU-TH 11AM-10PM F-SA 11AM-3AM CUISINE: AMERICAN ECLECTIC PRICE: $ CARDS: TC AE D MC V HOURS:

Open late nights on Fridays and Saturdays with DJs and a special menu.

Panini 299 S. MAIN ST. / 535-4300

panini.us HOURS:

CUISINE: RESERV.: PRICE: CARDS:

M-F 11:30AM-3PM M-TH 5-9PM F-SA 5-10PM ITALIAN, SEAFOOD SUGGESTED $$$ TC AE D MC V

Robust Italian fare in an elegant atmosphere with a tasteful, contemporary vibe.

Salt Lake Pizza & Pasta 1063 E. 2100 S. / 484-1804

saltlakepizzaandpasta.com HOURS: CUISINE: PRICE: CARDS:

M-SA 11AM-11PM SU 11AM-10PM ITALIAN $ TC AE D MC V

Voted as Utah’s Best Pizza two years in a row! Great beer selection. Sugarhouse.

SALT LAKE METRO ■ FEBRUARY 17, 2005

123 S. West Temple / 322-4796 HOURS: M-TH 11:30am-9:30pm F 11:00am-3:30am SA 8:00AM-3:30AM CUISINE: HEALTHY EATING PRICE: $ CARDS: TC AE D MC V

Salt Lake’s best late night dining. Mondays open mike at 8pm. Wireless internet.

orbitslc.com

■

Spice

Begun by childr\hood friends Paulo Celeste and Marco Gabrielli of Tuscany.

540 W. 200 S. / 322-3808

26

Red,White Bubbly

WEST VALLEY CITY 2785 W 3500 S / 969-8811 HOURS: M-SA 10:30AM-9PM SU 10:30AM-8PM CUISINE: MEXICAN PRICE: ¢ CARDS: MC V

Good Mexican food...fast.

Fresh salsa bar, food made to order. See our coupon!

Restaurant Owners: Gay men and lesbians eat at restaurants three times as often as anyone else.

Advertise in the Salt Lake Metro Dining Guide.

Call 323-9500 today!

Attack of the Clones

by Beau Jarvis beau@slmetro.com

Almost all wine, with perhaps the notable exception of that teal-colored stuff next to the beer in the supermarket refrigerator case, is made from the same species of grape: Vitis vinifera. This begs the question: whence wine diversity? The wonderfully diverse wine selection that fills up shelves in your local wine store can be attributed to different grape varieties rather than different grape species. Do you find it difficult to get your mind around the concept of grape varieties? Think about apples.

Compare Granny Smith to Gala to Golden Delicious to Fuji. They’re all apples, right?

Yet each one smells and tastes dramatically different from the other. These differences are attributed to apple variety, not apple species. So, while Merlot and Chardonnay are both made from vinifera grapes, they are quite distinct wines made from entirely different grape varieties.

Now that we have the grape variety concept all squared away in our minds, let’s scramble our brains again. You’ve seen wine labeled “Pinot Noir” before, correct?

What about wine labeled “Pinot Grigio” or “Pinot Gris?” “That’s easy,” you say. “They are just different varieties.” Not so fast, Einstein. Technically speaking, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris/Grigio are the same grape variety. Pinot Gris/Grigio is simply the mutant clone of Pinot Noir. Huh? A quick French lesson will help us out of this clonal confusion. “Noir” means black en français; and “Gris” is the Gallic word for gray. These terms refer to the grapes’ appearance. Pinot Noir’s skin is dark red, or black. While Pinot Gris’s skin is gray (well, pinkish gray to be exact).

And boy do these mutant-clone siblings produce dramatically distinct wines.

Pinot Noir is among the most persnickety of grapes to grow. Noir vines have an affinity for cool climates, yet they are susceptible to spring frosts. Pinot Noir is also vulnerable to almost any and all vineyard pests, gout, mold, taint, etc. In fact, many growers don’t want the headaches that planting Pinot Noir unavoidably brings.

As a result, Pinot Noir isn’t as common as other wines. It’s also noticeably more expensive due to the fact that it’s such a high-

maintenance vine. However, when Pinot Noir is planted and successfully raised, it can produce a beautiful bottle of wine.

Pinot Noir wine ranges from lovely scents of strawberry and cherry to otherworldly scents of mocha and eucalyptus. The gold standard for Pinot Noir is the Burgundy region of central France. Up-and-coming areas for Pinot Noir include Oregon, New Zealand, and the central California coast. Treat yourself to a mini Pinot Noir flight from the simple (Brancott Pinot Noir, ’03, $11—New Zealand), to the complex (Carneros Creek Reserve, ’01, $20—California), to the sublime (Chehalem “Rion” Reserve Pinot Noir, ’01, $50—Oregon).

Pinot Gris comes bottled to most wine drinkers as “Pinot Grigio” (“Grigio” is how someone named Vincenzo would say “gray”). Pinot Gris/Grigio produces white wine that varies in character depending on how it’s grown and vinified. Once upon a time, Pinot Grigio was going to be the next big thing—a la Chardonnay. As a result mucho Pinot Grigio was planted and mucho mediocre wine was produced.

When grown and vinified with care, Pinot Gris/Grigio can produce a fairly full-bodied wine with both citrus and floral character. When aged in oak barrels, a layer of spicy-sweet complexity is added. Like its dark clone, Pinot Gris/Grigio prefers cool climates. Oregon winemakers are producing ever more and ever better Pinot Gris.

The northern Italians also produce molto Pinot Grigio. Learn to love this clone; try King Estate Pinot Gris, ’02 ($16) and Kris Pinot Grigio, ’02 ($13).

In conclusion let me say… Oh my god!

Did you see that? Pinot Gris just mutated into another clone. The grape’s skin is kind of a grayish-white color. Actually, this Pinot Gris clone has been around for quite some time. It’s called Pinot Blanc.

Think of it as sort of a second clone-cousin to Pinot Noir. This mutant clone makes a white wine, which is more about texture and acidity and less about aroma and flavor. While it doesn’t provide the nose with much action, Pinot Blanc will make your mouth water and your tongue feel, well, better lubricated. It’s what I would call a frisky, viscous-y wine. Let your tongue dance to Trimbach Pinot Blanc, ’02 ($12).

And get your mouth watering with Steele Pinot Blanc, ’02 ($16) from Santa Barbara.

Raise your glass to varieties, mutations, and the three Pinot clones. Cheers.

Beau Jarvis is a sommelier and wine educator.

He operates basicjuice.com, a wine review and info website. He also runs basicjuice.blogs.com

FEBRUARY 17, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 27

28

■

SALT LAKE METRO ■ FEBRUARY 17, 2005

Bar Guide Club 161*

Club Try-Angles*

MoDiggity’s*

Todd’s Bar & Grill*

161 S. Pueblo St (1440 W.) 363-8161 / club161.com HOURS: M&W 7pm-2am TH–SU 2pm-2am CLOSED TUES GAY: Every Day AGE: 21+ / COVER: No Levi, Leather, Fetish.

Monday Fetish Night, Thurs Underwear Night, Friday Leather and Bear Night

251 W. 900 South 364-3203 clubtry-angles.com HOURS: 2pm-2am daily GAY: Every day AGE: 21+ / COVER: No FR-SA DJ Boy Toy. MO “MorMondays.” TU, FR, SA–$1 drafts. SU afternoons–Buffet.

3424 S. State St. 832-9000 / modiggitys.com HOURS: M–TH 4pm-12am F–SA 4pm-2am SU 11am-2am GAY: Every day / AGE: 21+ COVER: $4/members free A sports and music club for women. Football and mimosa brunch Sundays. Live shows.

1051 S. 300 West HOURS: 10am-2am daily GAY: Wednesdays / AGE: 21+ COVER: $3/Members free $1 drafts, $4 pitchers.

Cyber Slut bingo 8-10pm.

Heads Up*

Paper Moon*

Club Panini*

163 W. Pierpont Ave. (250 S) 359-2161 / headsupslc.com HOURS: 4pm-2am daily GAY: Every day AGE: 21+ COVER: $2 / Members free Salt Lake’s newest club.

MO & TH Karaoke. TU 50¢ drafts. FR, SA High NRG.

3737 S. State / 713-0678 HOURS: M–F 3pm-1am SA 7pm-1am SU Noon-1am GAY: Every day / AGE: 21+ COVER: varies SL’s premier women’s club.

TU Karaoke, WE 80¢ drafts, shots. FR & SA hip hop/dance

299 S. Main Street 535-4300 / panini.us HOURS: M–TH 11am-10pm F–SA 11am-12am GAY: Mondays AGE: 21+ / COVER: No Metro Mondays. Speed dating first Mondays of the month. $2 drafts.

Trapp/Trapp Door* 102 S. 600 West 531-8727 / thetrapp.com HOURS: 10am-2am daily GAY: Every day / AGE: 21+ COVER: $3/Members free Really gay every day. SU Buffet and NFL, MO & WE Karaoke. Latin Sundays

Bar Owners: Get listed in this Bar Guide, call 323-9500.

FEBRUARY 17, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 29

30

■

SALT LAKE METRO ■ FEBRUARY 17, 2005

Service Guide ATTORNEYS MARLIN G. CRIDDLE, P.C. Serving Utah’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered communities. Estate Planning, Probate, Criminal Law, Bankruptcy, Corporations/ Business. 474-2299. marlincriddle.com

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES APPLE ONE Employment Services is seeking qualified people in many skills. Apply and begin your qualification today. Employers, let us fill your staffing needs.

Call Steven Whittaker at 801-463-4828 for an appointment.

ESTATE PLANNING JANE MARQUARDT & DOUG FADEL Attorneys at Law, providing comprehensive estate planning services, custom designed to your unique family situation, including trusts, wills, partnership agreements, estate administration.

294-7777

MASSAGE

COME ALIVE in 2005 Create an Exciting Stream of Income Register online for Free Info and Reports http://ambition. successfulpeople.com Call Brian 801-718-3237 MAKE 2005 the year you made a Successful Financial Resolution.

Register online for free info at: http://ambition. successfulpeople.com APPLE ONE Employment Services is seeking qualified call center experienced in sales. Can earn $12+/hr plus commission. Apply today. Employers, let us fill your staffing needs. Call Steven Whittaker at 4634828 for an appointment.

FOR SALE

WWW.DENNISMASSAGE.COM A Man’s Man. 598-8344.

“For Men” Model/Massage.

LMT#98212332470

HOME REPAIRS

STIMULATE YOUR SENSES, or feel deep peace with a relaxing full body massage. Call Therron for an appointment HOME REPAIRS and Remodeling. Your queer guy for 801-879-3583 for $5 off menall home repair needs. No tion this ad. LMT #5608006 job too small. Fast, friendly, professional service. Kevin 801-815-4016 JOIN THE ALL NEW GayUtahSingles.com— ExCUSTOM DESIGN JEWELRY. clusively for Utah’s Gay and Relaxed atmosphere. All types Lesbian community. Online of stone settings. Commitment chat, email, messenger rings, wedding rings, earrings, and photos! Join for FREE! pendants. Repairs welcome.

Charley Hafen Jewelers. Trol- http://www.GayUtahSingles. ley Square. 521-7711 com

WEBSITES

JEWELERS

AVENUES 4 bed, 2 bath, 2-story. New kitchen, walk to stores and restaurants. $268,500 Brad at Stonebrook Realty 550-0330.

FOR RENT YOUR OWN 9th & 9th house. Sweet 3 BR, 1 BA, fenced b yard, roses, patio, 2 car garage w/opnrs, cntrl AC, all appl incl’ing w/d. 800 E. Never before rented-very clean; $1200.

867-2489

WALK TO Starbucks & boutiques in upscale neighborhood. Spacious 3 bd, fml dining, hrdwd flrs, w/d hookups, private yard & garage. $1195 Call 581-0234 DOWNTOWN 2 BR. All new inside, lndry, garden patio w/pond. Next to SLCC. $600 Photos at:www.xmission.com/~bradley/kensington.htm or 550-0330.

ROOMMATES WANTED SHARE HOME near Valley Fair Mall. Pet friendly, internet/dsl access, storage. $350/mo. util./cable included. Contact James Williams at 792-6099.

CLEAN, PARTICULAR rommmate wanted to share house downtown with two other gay men.

Nice small bedroom, large closet. $270.00/month utilities included. Call Tom at 641-3362.

GAY FRIENDLY roommate wanted to share beautiful 3-bedroom arts & crafts style home near SugarHouse Commons/24 Hour Fitness. $350 + 1/3 util. More info at http:// home.comcast.net/~e846/ TROLLEY SQUARE. Male roommate to share 2 bed, 1 bath condo. Furnished. $300 monthly + 250 deposit. Call 519-0147 with questions.

A COUPLE OF GUYS by Dave Brousseau MISC. STUFF

ARE YOU HIV+?

Pride Counseling is restarting a Therapy/ Support Group for men who are HIV infected and seeking support from others in similar situations. Men who have participated in this group report a sense of connection and the permission to safely explore their uniqueness in a safe and affirming environment. We are able to bill most insurance companies, Ryan White and sliding fee scale available. For information please call Jerry Buie LCSW at 801-595-0666

TIRED OF THE BAR LIFE? Pride Counseling is offering a Gay Men’s Therapy/Support Group.

Gay men often find that their options to socialize limited to clubs and bars. This group seeks to bridge the gap of isolation and help gay men safely explore personal issues unique to their circumstances. Gay men regardless of “coming out” status, or life circumstance are welcome to this group. Most insurance companies billed, sliding fee scale.

For information please call Jerry Buie LCSW at 801-595-0666.

BITTER GIRL by Joan Hilty

FEBRUARY 17, 2005 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 31

$25 CIRCUIT City Gift Card for only $20! Call Russ now 801-355-3122.

ADAM AND ANDY by James Asal

BEST THERAPISTS, best price, best place, best hours, call for appointment 486-5500 Pride Massage 1800 South West Temple Suite A224

Classifieds HELP WANTED

Comics

32

■

SALT LAKE METRO ■ FEBRUARY 17, 2005