Salt Lake Metro, Feb 2, 2006

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Utah’s Gay and Lesbian Biweekly Newspaper Volume 3 ■ Issue 3 February 2–15

Bill to Axe Parenting Rights

Rep. Christianson wants to restrict ‘In loco parentis’

Students Hold Gay Club Meeting on the Hill Most legislators were a no-show

Actor/‘Metro’ Writer Tierney Dies

Memorial set for Feb. 10

Rights Activist Coretta Scott King Dies World, gays mourn the ‘First Lady of Human Rights’

Legislative Session Bill Tracker NAACP Says ‘No’ to Apology Ruby and Laurie Offer Sen. Buttars a Cuddle Sundance Wrap-Up Gay Agenda

SALT LAKE METRO ■ FEBRUARY 2, 2006 ■

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Salt Lake Metro is proud to support Salt Lake City Winterfest 2006

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WORLD AND NATIONAL

‘First Lady of the Civil Rights Movement’ Coretta Scott King Dies at 78

by Ross Von Metzke

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ross@slmetro.com

Baja, Mexico — Coretta Scott King, the widow of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., died Jan. 30 in Baja California, Mexico, where she was receiving treatment at a holistic health center.

Mrs. King, 78, suffered a stroke and a mild heart attack last August. Her sister, Edythe Scott Bagley, told CNN she was receiving further medical treatment as part of her rehabilitation at Hospital Santa Monica when she died.

“She saw justice as a birthright and lent her voice as a relentless advocate for all fairminded Americans, gay or straight, black or white,” Human Rights Campaign Executive Director Joe Solmoese said in a prepared statement. “We join the nation in mourning the loss of a great hero and give enormous gratitude for all that she’s left behind.”

Solmonese praised Mrs. King for her support of a bill prohibiting anti-gay discrimination and for her work for justice for all people.

In 2000, Mrs. King addressed an Atlanta conference organized by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force by lending her voice and support to the advancement of gay rights.

“Freedom from discrimination based on sexual orientation is surely a fundamental human right in any great democracy,” she said, “as much as freedom from racial, religious, gender, or ethnic discrimination.”

Tuesday, the flag at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, which Mrs. King founded in Atlanta as a memorial to her husband’s work and dream after his assassination, was flying at half-mast.

“She would always admonish us that ... one of the ways you bring about change is, you must change yourself so that you’re prepared to lead people in the direction they should go. If your emotions are as bad as those you’re fighting, even if your cause is just, you disqualify yourself from being effective,” the Rev. Al Sharpton told CNN on Tuesday.

According to CNN, Mrs. King’s last public appearance was January 14 at a Salute to Greatness dinner as part of the Martin Luther King Day celebrations in Atlanta. She received a standing ovation and, supported on the arms of her children, waved to the crowd.

She did not speak at the event and was in a wheelchair.

Born in Marion, Alabama, on April 27, 1927, Coretta Scott graduated as valedictorian of her high school class and attended Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

She received a B.A. in music and education and then went on to study concert singing at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. According to her official biography, she received her degree in voice and violin.

While there, she met a theology student from Atlanta, Martin Luther King Jr., who was pursuing a doctorate at Boston University. They married on June 18, 1953, in her hometown of Marion.

Coretta Scott worked closely with the young pastor as he began his civil rights work in Montgomery, Alabama. She helped to organize marches and sit-ins at segregated restaurants while raising their four children: Yolanda Denise, Martin Luther III, Dexter Scott and Bernice Albertine.

Mrs. King performed in “Freedom Concerts,” singing, reading poetry and speaking to raise money for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the organization Dr. King led as its first president. The family endured the beating, stabbing and jailing of the civil rights leader, and their house was bombed.

She spoke out “on behalf of racial and economic justice, women’s and children’s rights, gay and lesbian dignity, religious freedom, the needs of the poor and homeless, full employment, health care, educational opportunities, nuclear disarmament and ecological sanity,” her biography on the King Center’s Web site said.

Army Report a ‘Wake-Up Call’ Washington, D.C. — Despite a new report warning of “a catastrophic decline” in recruiting and retention among Army troops, Pentagon leaders continue to fire lesbian, gay and bisexual military personnel who are fighting to report for duty. Servicemembers Legal Defense Network called a new 136-page report from retired Army officer Andrew Krepinevich a “wake-up call to Congress that our armed forces must welcome, not turn away, qualified Americans who want to serve our country.”

The report, released Jan. 2, points to the Army’s 2005 recruiting slump as evidence that the Army is “in a race against time” to modernize “or risk ‘breaking’ the force in the form of a catastrophic decline” in recruitment and re-enlistment. That report came on the same day as news that the armed forces have fired 244 medical professionals since 1993 under the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law banning lesbian, gay and bisexual service members. Since the ban’s implementation, more than 10,000 men and women have been fired at a cost of more than $191 million to American tax payers.

Law Barring Medical Treatment to Transgender People Challenged Milwaukee, Wis. — Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit in federal court on behalf of two transgender women challenging a Wisconsin law that bars them from access to appropriate medical treatment while they are incarcerated.

“The Wisconsin legislature should stick to solving the problems of the state, not interfering in the medical treatment of prisoners,” said John Knight, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s Lesbian and Gay Rights Project. “This law bars prison doctors from properly treating their patients and puts lives at risk.”

Over the objections of the Department of Corrections, the Wisconsin legislature passed a law last year that bars prison doctors from deciding the best course of treatment for transgender people by denying them access to any type of hormone therapy or sex reassignment surgery while in state custody. Lambda Legal and the ACLU are representing Kari Sundstrom and Andrea Fields, who are both serving time in Wisconsin prisons on forgery charges. Sundstrom, 41, has been on hormone therapy since 1990. Fields, 29, has been on hormone

therapy since 1996.

“It is well-established medical practice to prescribe hormone therapy to transgender people,” said Dr. Randi Ettner, a clinical psychologist who practices in Evanston, Illinois. “Blocking people from access to hormone treatment after they have been on the treatment is especially dangerous and could cause life-threatening damage including hypertension, diabetes, muscle wasting, osteoporosis and potentially even heart failure.”

Legislators supporting the law claimed that it was necessary to reduce expenses.

However, when the law went into effect on January 24, 2006, only a handful of people in the Wisconsin prison system were receiving hormone therapy.

“This legislation has absolutely nothing to do with costs. It is designed to punish transgender people and deny them access to necessary medical care,” said Cole Thaler, Lambda Legal’s transgender rights attorney.

“Doctors, not lawmakers, should be the ones deciding what health care is appropriate for their patients.”

According to the ACLU and Lambda Legal, Wisconsin is believed to be the only state in the country to have enacted a law denying transgender people access to medical care while in state custody.

8,000 to Participate in 2006 Gay Games in Chicago CHICAGO, IL – Chicago organizers of the 2006 Gay Games announced today that they now have more than 8,000 participants from more than 30 countries committed to attending the seventh Gay Games, July 15–22.

“Year-end campaigns designed to increase the number of registrations in team sports were wildly successful and the pace hasn’t slowed much since January 1,” said Brian McGuinness, Gay Games executive director. “Our registration rates to date are ahead of expectations and we may exceed our forecast of 12,000 participating athletes and artists in Chicago next July.”

McGuinness added that several sports are close to full registration and will close in coming weeks. Sailing has been closed for nearly a year and golf has reached capacity.

Several team sports saw dramatic increases in registration during December, according to Nancy Harris, Gay Games sports director. She added that ice hockey may soon be closed to new registrants “The 1998 and 2002 Gay Games in Amsterdam and Sydney each had 16 participating men’s and women’s ice hockey teams,” said Harris. “We already are past that with over 20 teams, and we are negotiating the addition of a sixth day of ice hockey competition to accommodate more teams.”

“Register now,” said McGuinness. “If you wait, it might be too late to participate in your sport, division, or event. Make the personal commitment today to attend one of the world’s most important events for our community and register now to secure your spot.

We’re going to have a full house come July.”

Registration is available online at gaygameschicago.org. Teams or groups of 5 or more can still save $25 per person on group registrations online or (773)433-8027.

San Leandro, Calif. — Teachers at San Leandro High School have refused to participate in a school district order to display a rainbow-flag poster in their classrooms that reads, “This is a safe place to be who you are.”

The teachers say homosexuality violates their religious beliefs, school principal Amy Furtado said.

The high school’s Gay-Straight Alliance designed the poster, which includes pink triangles and other symbols of gay pride. The school board approved a policy requiring all district teachers to hang the posters in their

Director Roland Emmerich Pledges $150,000 to Support LGBT Film Preservation Park City, Utah — At the “Queer Brunch” held in Park City during the Sundance Film Festival, director Roland Emmerich (The Day After Tomorrow) announced a pledge of $150,000 to support Outfest’s Legacy Project for queer film preservation.

The largest gift in Outfest’s 24year history, this donation is the first lead gift toward a three-year, Roland Emmerich $1.5 million campaign supporting Outfest’s new lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film preservation collaboration with the UCLA Film & Television Archive.

“Outfest’s Legacy Project is the only program focusing on the miserable state of gay and lesbian film preservation,” said Emmerich. “These images have saved countless lives and shaped the LGBT communities we know today. As a filmmaker I know how important it is to protect my work. The independent gay and lesbian films of the last 30 years have had no one to save, restore and protect them until now.”

“Roland Emmerich’s incredible investment in the Legacy Project is a profound statement about the importance of LGBT film preservation,” said Outfest Executive Director Stephen Gutwillig.

Through the Legacy Project, Outfest and the UCLA Film & Television Archive have established the largest publicly accessible collection of queer films in the world. In addition, Outfest and UCLA are collecting film prints and other material for permanent preservation and will strike new prints for widespread public exhibition, restore damaged films to their initial release forms and educate filmmakers and the general public about gay film and video preservation.

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Teachers Refuse to Display Gay Safety Posters

classrooms last December.

“This is not about religion, sex, or a belief system,” said district superintendent Christine Lim, who initiated the poster policy.

“This is about educators making sure our schools are safe for our children, regardless of their sexual orientation.” District officials said the poster is an effort to comply with state laws requiring schools to ensure students’ safety and curb discrimination and harassment. They say that teachers often overlook and fail to reprimand students who use derogatory slurs or refer to homosexuality in a negative way.

This isn’t the first time the San Leandro School District has been embroiled in controversy over homosexuality.

In 1997, a parents group at the high school demanded that a gay teacher be fired after she came out to her class. In 2002, high school English teacher Karl Debro settled a lawsuit with the district for $1 million after he was disciplined for giving a lecture on racism and homophobia.

Openly gay art teacher Tom Laughlin, who oversaw the poster’s design by students in the Gay-Straight Alliance, said he was surprised by the level of intolerance for homosexuality that he perceived when he started teaching at the high school five years ago. He said he recognized that it was critical when a student called him a “fag.”

“There was a real need to do this,” he said.

“A lot of students didn’t know about gay people in general.”

LOCAL

‘Metro’ Arts Editor Dies Hours After ‘Valour!’ Finale ERIC J. TIERNEY: 1979-2006

by Jerry Rapier “It will be a sad day when that light goes out.”

—Terrence McNally

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Halfway through rehearsals for Love! Valour!

Compassion! , Eric cryptically texted my partner Kirt and me to ensure we were bringing paper cups to rehearsal. It seemed asinine so I didn’t bother. I thought to myself, “Bring your own damn cups!”

Eric knew that Dec. 28 was our 10th anniversary and, since we had to rehearse that night, was determined that the cast would honor us. So he and fellow cast member David Luna showed up with two bottles of champagne.

A simple gesture, but one that will live with me forever.

Eric J. Tierney—one hell of an actor, person, friend, server, filmmaker and arts writer—passed away early Monday, January 23 due to complications from Hepatitis B. He was admitted into the hospital the previous Thursday afternoon. His family arrived on Friday. By Monday he was gone.

Friends and family gathered in the hallway outside the Intensive Care Unit of LDS Hospital from Sunday night into the wee hours of Monday morning—hours that seemed eternal and instantaneous—sharing stories, bargaining with God, hoping against logic for a miracle and, finally, saying farewell to a singular soul and dear friend.

I believe Eric held on until his family could arrive from Montana and spend a little quality time with him before he began to slip away.

I believe he guided me from his hospital bed as I stood in for him, script in hand, for the final five performances of Love! Valour! Compassion! I believe everyone involved in that show feels honored to have shared the final weeks of Eric’s life.

And I believe he loved us enough to hold on until the show closed—so we could hold on—before he slipped away.

There is peace in knowing that the last thing Eric did was something he loved. There is peace in

knowing that someone as full of life as Eric is out there, somewhere, armed with wit and heart.

A standing ovation, my friend.

Eric J. Tierney was laid to rest in Butte, Montana this past weekend. For those interested in attending the Salt Lake service, it will be held Friday, February 10 at 4:00 p.m. in the Jeanne Wagner Theatre at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W. 300 South.

How does one write about another’s life?

The truth is, one person can’t. So I’ve asked many of his friends to write about (or to) Eric.

“Eric could fill any space he occupied with vibrance and grace. He had a true and natural talent for the stage. He had a quick wit, was never hesitant to speak his mind, and he impacted everyone who knew him with charm and passionate intensity. I respect and admire him and will always consider him a dear friend. I miss you Eric.”

—Jay Perry “I was in theater classes with Eric at the U, worked with him at Panini, and we both wrote for Salt Lake Metro. When I saw Eric in Love! Valour! Compassion! , I sat in the audience thinking how wonderful it was to see him do such a great job. I was looking forward to seeing him in many more shows.

We lost out—he had much more to give this world than what we saw.”

— Joel Shoemaker “Eric was an encyclopedia of useless/useful information. I’d be hanging out with other people and the name of a famous person, movie, musician or band would come up that no one could remember. I’d give him a quick call and he’d instantly know who we’d been talking about. “You know, that black

actress everyone loves…?” “You mean Alfre Woodard?” I’m sad to think I’ll finally have to learn the names of actors and directors.

He had a passion for politics—he memorized all of Bush’s cabinet! An avid reader, he read history books almost as much as he read anything else.

He loved film. At one point Eric and I had a weekly tradition that he named “Frank and Eric’s Wednesday Night Woody Allen Film Festival, Brought to You by Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin.” I’d pick out the week’s movie. And he’d bring the bottle of gin, which we’d usually finish. Oddly, I don’t remember many of the films we watched. And those I do remember kinda blur into one.

I’ve never known anyone I could be so open with.”

—Frank Feldman “Eric was a charming and very passionate friend. I want his family to know that we will be missing a great friend, colleague and artist.”

—Charles Milne

“I am in shock. I didn’t know Eric very well but had a long conversation with him on opening night of Hedwig. He was funny and charming and FULL of life. He was so kind to me and I enjoyed the mere moments I spent with him.”

– Jeanette Puhich “I am so grateful I got to see Eric at the dress rehearsal of his final performance on this earth, but I am so terribly saddened by all of this news. I shall carry the memories of Eric’s charming humor, his creative energy and commitment to our production of Hamlet. He was always a pleasure to watch on the boards.”

—Anne Cullimore Decker

“I am heartsick and cannot believe he gave that fine performance in Love! Valour! Compassion! only about two weeks ago. He was also a student in the last acting class I taught in the department. He was so young! It is so sad!”

– Marilyn Holt

“Lovely Eric...how can this be?” —Joyce Cohen “Not only was Eric funny and quick-witted, he was an amazingly loving and nurturing person. It was a privilege to act with Eric.

When we worked together, he never let an opportunity pass without telling me how much he enjoyed my work and that of my fellow actors. He freely gave me genuine and heartfelt praise, making me feel like he was always my biggest fan.

Eric was the best kind of actor. Natural and honest, he made unique and strong choices, prioritizing serving the play and the poetry of a moment

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Studio 801.359.9191 RadioActive 801.303.6050 KRCL 90.9 fm serves the community through diverse, independent, and progressive public affairs and music programming Listen along the Wasatch Front at 90.9 FM or anywhere in the world as www.krcl.or

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In honor of Eric J. Tierney, Utah AIDS Foundation is partnering with Salt Lake Valley Health Department and the GLBT Community Center of Utah to better educate the community on Hepatitis B and to make the vaccination more accessible.

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver that can become serious. It spreads through contact with blood or other body fluids. This can happen by sharing a razor, toothbrush or needles to inject drugs, or through sexual contact. Hepatitis B causes a flu-like illness with loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, rashes, joint pain and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin).

Three doses of a new vaccine offer protection, and immunization is recommended for all infants, children and adolescents. Some adults who are at increased risks — men who have sex with men, doctors, nurses, teachers, paramedics, police officers — may need to be vaccinated.

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Chinese

“My spirit has been expanded because of your zest for life. I am inspired to live my life bigger because you were so amazing at living that way.

You were so supportive. You were such a good listener. You were so direct, frank and honest and fantastically zany. You have made an extreme impact on my appreciation of friendship.

Hepatitis B Education Campaign Started

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Folk

—Lisa Marie Wood

— Kirt Bateman

Continued on Page 25

Polynesian

“I looked forward to seeing Eric every day at work at Red Rock. My favorite thing—he would come up behind me, slip his arms around my waist, hugging me close to him, and just say, “I love you.” I actually felt it.

The joy I could see in him when he made me laugh! He loved musicals and would tell me, “Oh Lisa Marie, I know ‘em all!” He would spontaneously break into a song from a musical or start dancing right on the floor.

Just for me. It would make me laugh so hard.

What a joy this human being was to know.

I am forever touched and inspired by him. I am so lucky. He reminded me by his life and death to dance and sing and laugh more. It’s in the moments, and in loving people—that’s what matters. He mattered and I loved him.

He’s my Eric, and remains in me.”

was already making my acceptance a big enough issue.

“Why can’t you drink?” people would ask at parties, trying not to sound too patronizing or alarmed. “Where did you get it?” Everyone asked. I wondered. My doctor had no concrete answers. It probably happened 60 to 90 days before I felt it. I got it through blood or bodily fluids. Sexual contact? It could have been. Funnily enough, every liver specialist I have spoken to in the nearly ten years since my diagnosis has had a different attitude towards what caused it.

“It was sex! It has to have been…” said one.

“It’s so easy to get, you might have picked it up from kissing,” said another. “That’s ridiculous,” said another. “It’s either sex or needles.”

The “where did you get it?” question was complicated by my being in a long-term relationship. While my lover and I were honest and open with each other about our non-monogamy, I hadn’t mentioned any outside encounters during the last 60 to 90 days. But there had been one. Plus, we agreed to be “safe” with our outside liaisons (which I thought I had been), but most literature pointed to unsafe sex practices as the smoking guns with hep B. I was feeling guilty for being sick, guilty

Electronica

—Troy Williams

“When I met you in 1995, I noticed a talent beyond your years. And something else—a connection.

Fast forward a decade. I watched you perform in SLAM and was amazed at the unassumingly natural character you created in a day. Breathtaking. Again—this connection.

Fast forward six months. We begin to really get to know each other during Hedwig beer service. A Matthew Broderick to my Nathan Lane. How is it possible that you know more about musicals than me?!

Then, as we began rehearsing Love! Valour!

Compassion!, I understood the connection— it clearly preceded this life. I know now that I was in that show simply to have the honor of sharing the last six weeks of your life. We pack a friendship meant to last the rest of our lives into that time. Kirt and Eric, just like Buzz and Perry.

You once said you looked up to me as an actor for those many years between our first crossed path and our second. But I looked up to you, poor Eve. You became my acting mentor and teacher. Sharing the stage with you was a gift I will never forget. Your generosity, your process, your talent, your connection, inspired and lifted me.

You said that you’d be holding my hand when I let go. I hope that promise still stands.

I love you. Your Kirty.”

by Eric Mathews “You don’t have hepatitis,” my doctor said.

He looked again at my palms and closely into my eyes.

“You aren’t jaundiced, and you look fine.

Why do you think you have hepatitis?”

I didn’t even know what hepatitis was before the previous weekend. I was in the California wine country Thanksgiving weekend, 1992, with my lover and a friend of ours.

After the first couple of days, I spent most of the time sleeping, feeling dully nauseated, and unable to eat — very unlike me. Which is why our friend, who had had hepatitis A, told me to see a doctor.

After explaining why I was concerned, my doctor did some thumping and groping around my abdomen, and when he poked below my right ribs, I let out an “ouch!” Another poke to confirm; another “ouch!”

“You’ve got hepatitis,” he announced.

I was astounded at his about-face. “The reason it hurts is your liver is swollen. I can feel it,” he said probing under my ribs.

He took blood (what seemed like a few quarts) to test and a week later the results came back: hepatitis B, the nasty one.

In the meantime, my lover had to be tested.

He ultimately came back negative, and got vaccinated, and my doc gave him a gamma globulin shot protecting him for the six months before the vaccine kicked in. Telling all of my friends was humiliating, especially telling the friends I was intimate with enough to kiss (or more), that I had a contagious disease, and that they had to get tested.

I dealt a lot with humiliation those first weeks after my diagnosis. Having any illness is bad enough in our society, but when it is associated with sex and it can seemingly spread to “innocent” people, it’s even worse.

It was hard to tell my family that their goodytwo-shoes son/brother/uncle had hep B, and that they had to be careful not to eat off of anything I had touched. Even harder was telling my lover’s family, whose religious fervor

Variety

“Eric is a gifted actor, a talented writer and a good friend. He has a snarky demeanor and a wicked sharp tongue. And yet with all of his vicious wit, he has this massive heart that easily opened to enfold his friends. He is funny, intelligent and kind. Eric and I would exchange quips and barbs. If ever he pushed too hard, or cut too deep, I would always receive a text message apology (hours later) with a declaration of love and friendship.

Eric is thoughtful that way.

I invited Eric to be part of our new queer radio show. We worked together on our documentary. I regret the work undone, the laughs we won’t have. But I’m hoping and expecting that Eric’s energy and soul will still collaborate, inspire and push us to success. We have a whole status quo to subvert, undermine and dislodge. I can’t imagine doing all of that without Eric’s help! So wherever you are buddy, no slacking, we’ve got work to do!”

—Brien Jones

True Story: Living with Hepatitis

African

—David Luna

You will always be my brother Eric. So now are Jerry, Kirt, Luna, Blayne, Bohnet, Keith, Jim and George. You will forever bind the fabric of our brotherhood.

I thank the universe that our lives crossed even if for a short time. I am blessed, enriched and grateful for the imprint you have made on my soul. I love and miss you Eric.”

Variety

over his own ego. His strong commitment to his art was inspiring.

During the run of SubUrbia, Eric found out he had a kidney stone. During the first week of the run, we could tell he was in pain but he assured us he’d be fine. We were all impressed with his commitment to the show, but grew even more so when he passed the damn thing! It didn’t just happen during a performance, it happened in the middle of his scene! We didn’t even know it was happening until intermission, when we found him doubled over in pain, buckets of sweat cascading down his face.

At the time, I just thought he was just giving us really great stuff to play off of!”

LOCAL

Gays and Lesbians to Protest at Brigham Young University

By Hugo Salinas Katherine Riley, a 21-year old lesbian from Pennsylvania who grew up in the LDS Church, is one of 35 young adults who will take an 8-week bus ride to confront religious and military colleges that discriminate against GLBT students. Sponsored by Soulforce, on April 10-11 the Equality Tour will stop at Brigham Young University, rated by the Princeton Review as the tenth most homophobic college in the US. “I know what it is like to be oppressed as a lesbian in the Mormon Church,” says Riley.

“I know what it is like to be told that what I’m doing is wrong and a sin against God. I know how I feel to be told that you’re going to burn in hell for who you are. That’s why it’s important for me to go to Brigham Young University and protest their anti-GLBT policies.”

“Even if LDS leaders think that homosexuality is wrong,” Riley adds, “as Christians, they need to learn to be more caring, more loving, less judgmental, and to follow the teachings of Christ.”

In a 1966 speech, BYU President Ernest L. Wilkinson asked all gay students to leave BYU “immediately.” “We do not want others on this campus to be contaminated by your presence,” he explained.

Over decades, BYU security has entrapped people suspected of being gay both on and off campus. BYU administrators have forced students to undergo electroshock therapy to “cure” their “same-sex attraction.” Gay students and professors have been expelled, fired, and forced to drop from the university.

Even though current LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley has repeatedly claimed that the LDS Church holds gays and lesbians to the same standards as straight people, gay students have been expelled from BYU as recently as 2001 for merely holding hands or receiving gifts from their same-sex dates.

“Soulforce draws from the teaching of Christ, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, with the goal of seeing all people treated equally,” says Duane Jennings, a gay Mormon from Salt Lake City who is well acquainted with Soulforce. “If you teach and defend a religious tradition but don’t engage in a conscientious review of its teachings, this can often lead to perpetuating ignorance and promoting injustice.”

To learn more about Soulforce or to donate to the Equality Tour, go to www.soulforce.org. For more information about anti-gay activities at BYU, visit www.affirmation.org/byu.

AIDS Activist Calls for Community Action

by Matthew Gerber

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matthew@slmetro.com

Stuart Merrill has had a busy year. Despite having served on the Utah Department of Health Treatment & Care Planning Committee for HIV and AIDS for three years, his activism regarding HIV started one year ago.

When the committee learned that the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, or ADAP, was scheduled for a reduction in funding after six years of flat-funding, Stuart took action.

Not one to sit back and watch life pass him by, he began lobbying outside organizations to cover the state’s 2005 budget shortfall for the program. Besides lobbying for ADAP, the Salt Lake City AIDS activist has been involved in the Campaign to End AIDS and helped organize the World AIDS Day candlelight vigil in December, 2005.

Nationwide, ADAP programs have had a challenge covering those in need. With over a million people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States, the number in need of assistance continues to grow, as does the price of the life-saving medications people with AIDS must take to stay healthy. Flat-funding of ADAP programs has left waiting lists in many states, as well as the need to cut services that may be obtained.

Merrill, as part of the Campaign to End AIDS, also known as C2EA, is asking our Utah legislators to fund $250,000 to pay for HIV medications for those who cannot afford them. While the Campaign to End AIDS had originally planned on asking for permanent funding of ADAP, they will only be asking for coverage for the next year at this time. The rationale behind the need for continued ADAP funding is that it is much cheaper to treat someone with HIV before they reach an AIDS diagnosis. HIV-positive Utahns could obtain the medication they

need to stay healthy, working, and paying taxes if ADAP is adequately funded.

On Wednesday, February 1st, C2EA Utah hosted a meet and greet with members of the press. Utahns living with HIV/AIDS were invited to sit down one-on-one with local news reporters to tell them what living with HIV/AIDS in Utah is like and encourage them to report on the need for adequate funding of ADAP. Also, on February 1, people living with HIV/AIDS, their families, friends, and caregivers were invited to testify before the Health Services Budget Hearing.

Stuart notes that he has found “one of [his] number one champions” in Gayle Ruzicka of the Eagle Forum, who is in favor of continued ADAP funding. With conservative and liberal forces alike supporting the cause, there is hope in obtaining the necessary votes to continue the program.

Members of the community are encouraged to get involved by contacting their state representatives and Senators and encourage them to approve further funding of ADAP.

‘Voyeur’ Auditions Salt Lake Acting Company has sent an audition notice for the 2006 run of Saturday’s Voyeur. The company is in need of male and female characters between 20 and 50 years of age.

Auditions will take place Feb. 8 from noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Salt Lake Acting Company, 168 W. 500 North. Hopefuls are asked to call 363-0526 for an appointment, prepare a traditional Broadway song (no Sondheim or Webber) and present a headshot and resume.

Rehearsals start May 1 and the show runs June 6 through Aug. 20.

Saturday’s Voyeur is written by Nancy Borgenicht and Allen Nevins and directed by John Caywood.

Local Comcast Affiliate Refuses to Air Gay Networks

by JoSelle Vanderhooft joselle@slmetro.com

Michael Aaron contributed to this article.

Heads Up Reopens in New Space David Hurst reopened his club, Heads Up, in a new location — 1330 South State Street — after closing the old location in une of last year.

“We’ve signed a long-term lease on this building and will be opening it up in phases through the year as we renovate the different areas,” said Hurst.

The building is rougly the same size as the original location on Pierpont Avenue, but only the front third was made open the public Jan. 27.

“We will open the other areas as they are completed. The theater area should open soon and the dance area hopefully

by June,” Hurst explained.

Also different is that the bar opened with a beer license. Hurst plans to get licensing as a private club later in the year.

Much of the weekly lineup of events is similar to what the old club offered: 50 cent draft Tuesdays and karaoke on Mondays and Thursdays. He also added karaoke on Saturdays.

“Since we’re not currently a dance bar, we wanted to offer something to the community that isn’t anywhere else,” said Hurst.

In February, the bar will be showing AbFab on the many video screens in the bar.

The bar opens daily at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 6 p.m.

FEBRUARY 2, 2006 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 9

Larry Miller not showing Brokeback Mountain at his Megaplex theaters isn’t the only “business decision” made locally to refuse gay and lesbian people their entertainment options.

Comcast Cable of Utah representatives reiterated that gay television networks Logo and here! would not be offered locally.

James Hicks is one local person who is angry at the cable company he’s patronized for two decades. His calls for here! and Logo have yet to yield results.

“When I called Comcast the first time, I spoke with someone and they said they had no idea what I was talking about, but they would investigate it and get back to me,” said Hicks, an IBM consultant and Coldwell Banker Real Estate agent. “I waited and finally got a phone call back.

The person said, ‘Thanks for letting us know about this. We’re going to do some research and we’ll get back with you.’ I never heard a word.”

Deciding he’d waited long enough for an answer, Hicks decided to call again.

This time he reached Lisa Jenkins, Comcast’s Utah marketing manager. According to Hicks, Jenkins told him Comcast Cable of Utah wasn’t planning on carrying the networks.

“She told me that they did not feel [here!] would have an audience in Utah,” Hicks said. “I said, ‘Did you think it’s because of the gay- and lesbian-oriented theme?’ and she said, ‘I can’t say.’”

Jenkins declined a request for a statement on the decision, and referred questions to Ray Child, Public Relations Director for Comcast Utah.

“We have no plans to carry here! or Logo at this time,” said Child. “We made a business decision to not carry gay programming in Utah.” He said this was all he could say on the matter.

Hicks said he received the same response when he called Child on June 1, even when he asked for more specific information.

“I know that business decisions are based on different factors,” said Hicks.

“You don’t just make a business decision without a reason why you’re backing it up.” He added that the lack of a further response has led him to consider that the network was removed “because of the gay- and lesbian-oriented themes.”

“I am frustrated about it,” he said.

“It’s unfair, it’s flat out discrimination. I told them that. It’s just another slap in the face to the gay and lesbian community in Utah. I told them I have been a subscriber to Comcast back 20 years ago when it was TCI Cablevision. To be a loyal customer and to tell me I can’t watch a station because it’s gay- and lesbian-oriented, that’s a huge slap in the face, especially when they offer so many things out there to the heterosexual community,” such as the Spice channel and HBO and Showtime’s late-night sexuallyoriented programming.

In the time he’s spent calling Comcast, Hicks said he’s also made an attempt to let Utah gays and lesbians know about the cable network’s decision. So far, he has sent emails to Equality Utah and the Gay

and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, though he has yet to hear back from either organization.

“I think that it’s important for us to know what is available via these cable TV networks and to understand when we are not being allowed to have access to something,” The Center executive director Valerie Larabee said. “If that goes untalked about then we can’t do anything about it. We would like to see anyone that has a Comcast account and thinks that this is important to give Comcast a call and say they would like to have access to here!”

“After a while,” she added, “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.”

According to Child, the company has not received many calls requesting any of the gay channels.

Meanwhile, here! officials have said they are aware of the situation and are looking into the matter. “here! is proud to be in partnership with Comcast, which has rolled here! out across the country in the majority of its markets in the United States,” said Stephen Macias, vice president of corporate communications and public relations for here! Networks. “While we understand Comcast’s current business decision, here! looks forward to being in the Salt Lake City market in the future.”

He added that local affiliates are allowed to moderate programming, and that those decisions are “at times unfortunate and sometimes called censorship; but it’s not done on a regular basis.” here! is offered locally as a pay-per-view option on DirecTV and Dish Network.

Logo is only shown on DirecTV.

Utah State Legislative Session 2006

Bill Seeks to Axe Gay Parenting Rights

by JoSelle Vanderhooft joselle@slmetro.com

If enacted, a recent legislative bill may dramatically effect Utah’s child custody cases for gay and straight parents alike.

Titled “Parent and Child Amendments,” House Bill 148 seeks to modify Section 78-62-1 of Utah law, which deals with “in loco parentis,” Latin for “in place of a parent.” Judges typically use this legal doctrine when determining a person to assume responRep. LaVar Christensen sibility for a child if the parents are unable or unwilling to continue care.

It has also been used to establish a parental relationship in the absence of biological or adoptive ties. This was the way in which 3rd District Judge Timothy Hanson interpreted the law in Keri Jones vs. Cheryl Barlow, a high-profile 2004 case involving a lesbian couple who conceived a daughter through artificial insemination. When the couple separated Barlow, the biological mother, said she was no longer gay and did not want Jones to have access to the child. Hanson ruled that Jones was entitled to continue her relationship with her daughter.

“The court sees no legal reason to discriminate in applying the doctrine…to a couple who are in a committed lesbian relationship,” Hanson wrote in October 2004. “The heterosexual or homosexual relationship between the two adults is irrelevant to the doctrine of in loco parentis.”

If HB 148 is enacted, such a ruling may not be possible in the future.

According to the bill’s text, Utah law would be revised to prohibit the legal establishment of “in loco parentis” “when it is clearly contrary to the known desires of a parent of the minor child.”

It would also prevent the doctrine from being used to grant visitation, parenttime, custody, legal guardianship, child support or adoption rights.

Kate Kendall, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, said she sees HB 148 as a “hysterical attack” against gays and lesbians. She also says it’s harmful to children of gay and straight couples alike.

“The in loco parentis doctrine is not a gay rights issue,” said Kendall, who represented Keri Jones and who argued the case before the Utah Supreme Court last August . “It has shown up in dozens of cases around the country. Only a small percentage involve gay or lesbian couples. What the doctrine is meant to do is to be a safety net for unintended, unimagined or unexpected situations.

When tragedy strikes — and this could be a car accident, a substance abuse problem, or a psychiatric problem — where the legal parent is unavailable or unwilling to function as a parent it permits a person who has been like a parent to the child to petition the court to take care of the child.”

To illustrate her point, Kendall brought up the scenario of a single, heterosexual mother who dies in a car accident, leaving behind a young daughter and a sister who is the “closest living person” to the child. “[Under HB 148] that sister would have no more claim to step in and now be considered the parent of that child than a stranger,” she said. “That sister would have to go through the same kind of adoption proceedings as a stranger seeking to adopt the child, meaning the

Legislative Attendance Falls Short at a Mock Gay-Straight Alliance Meeting

by Tony Hobday

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SALT LAKE METRO ■ FEBRUARY 2, 2006

tony@slmetro.com

The Utah Progressive Network, a local democratic activist group, held a mock gay-straight alliance meeting on Capitol Hill Jan. 27 to stir interest and offer insight to legislators and conservatives about gaystraight alliances just before the opening of the legislative session.

Unfortunately, only three legislators showed up.

Rep. Jackie Biskupski, D-Salt Lake City, hoped more legislators would have shown up. Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful said “I just think students are important, I like to hear what their concerns are.” Senator Scott McCoy was also in attendance.

To make it feel like a true high school meeting, the mock event was held in the Capitol cafeteria. Approximately 25 students attended, introduced themselves, then spoke about why they believe the gaystraight alliances are valuable.

Gay-straight alliance groups allow students to voice their experiences of oppression and fears of physical abuse that commonly haunt teenage homosexuals in school corridors. The students mentioned that the clubs gave them a safe haven, away from bullies, and a place to find friends. They denounced Buttars’ claims

child would be subjected not only to the tragedy of losing his or her parent, but to foster care, hearings, and the incredible trauma that uncertainty would create.”

Though HB 148 does not address gay and lesbian parents, it explicitly rejects “relationships that are outside the law or which are in violation of public policy” as a “basis to establish in loco parentis.” During Jones vs. Barlow, Representative LaVar Christensen, RSandy, HB 148’s chief sponsor, also said he would work on legislation requiring parents to have a biological, adoptive or marital relationship before a court could grant them visitation rights.

“The mother [Barlow] of the child renounced that lifestyle and chose to move on with her daughter,” Christensen told the Deseret Morning News last August. “This court used (common law) doctrine and treated it as a marriage and a breakup of a marriage.”

Christensen had not returned messages seeking comment by deadline.

Though a limited legal review of HB 148 did not determine the bill to have a strong chance of being ruled unconstitutional, Kendall said she hopes the state’s child welfare advocates will protest it.

“There has to be some check on this knee-jerk reaction of legislators, particularly in Utah,” she said. “It is appalling what the legislature gets away with there, from the adoption ban to this. No one actually cares about the children in these situations; all they care about, and the only agenda, is how much can we make gay people miserable. It is the height of immorality that this agenda is allowed to rule the day.”

The complete text of HB 148 is available at http://www.le.state.ut.us/~2006/ bills/hbillint/hb0148.htm

HB168 PARENT AND CHILD AMENDMENTS 2006 GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor: LaVar Christensen

LONG TITLE

General Description: This bill establishes when a person may stand in the place of a parent and defines “in loco parentis.”

Highlighted Provisions: This bill: • defines “in loco parentis,” requiring that a voluntary and temporary delegation of parental power has occurred and that the person has accepted the obligations of parenthood created by the delegation; • prohibits the legal establishment of “in loco parentis” when it is clearly contrary to the known desires of a parent of the minor child; and • prohibits the use of “in loco parentis” to grant parent-time, visitation, custody, legal guardianship, child support, or an adoption of a minor child.

Monies Appropriated in this Bill: None Other Special Clauses: None Utah Code Sections Affected: ENACTS: 78-62-1, Utah Code Annotated 1953 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah: Section 1. Section 78-62-1 is enacted to read: 78-62-1. In loco parentis.

(1) “In loco parentis” means the legal recognition of a voluntary and temporary delegation of parental authority to another person, where that person has accepted the obligations of parenthood by taking significant responsibility for the minor child’s maintenance, care, and education, including contributing toward the minor child’s support, without expectation of financial compensation.

(2) “Person” means an individual.

(3) In loco parentis may not be established or legally recognized contrary to the expressed desires of a parent of a minor child.

(4) (a) Agreements, arrangements, transactions, or relationships that are outside the law or which are in violation of public policy are not recognized, and may not be the basis to, establish in loco parentis. (b) In loco parentis may not be used to grant a person: (i) parent-time or visitation; (ii) legal or physical custody; (iii) status as a legal guardian; (iv) child support; or (v) an adoption.

(5) A biological or adoptive parent who has not been adjudicated as an unfit parent may at any time terminate a relationship between a person standing in loco parentis and their minor child or children.

Legislative Review Note Based on a limited legal review, this legislation has not been determined to have a high probability of being held unconstitutional.

Christ of Latter-day Saints and non-Mormon Utahns.

The Utah Progressive Network teenage members also introduced the first eight of their legislator baseball trading cards at the meeting. Each card has a photo, the contact information, and a brief synopsis of each of the legislators’ views. The card for Buttars criticizes his stand against evolution and his gay-straight alliance proposal. Under his

they talk about sex.

A few Eagle Forum teen members, who happened to be there holding their own meeting, took the time to listen to the students but were not swayed. “I really don’t understand what their clubs are doing,” said Erika England, one Eagle Forum teen, “It kind of sounds like they encourage people to come out and be gay.”

Catie HowellDinger, president of Cottonwood High’s Youth Educating Against Homophobia, says the members of her club not only talk about being gay in high school, but also discuss political issues, and the divisions between members of the Church of Jesus Students held a mock Gay-Straight Alliance meeting at the Utah State Capitol Building Jan. 27

name is the phrase “Sun revolves around the earth.”

Sen. Beverly A. Evans, R-Altamont, received a much more flattering quote: “Our favorite Republican.”

The trading cards are available at the offices of the UPN located at 1115 S. 900 East or call 466-0955 for a list of other businesses where the cards may be picked up.

A donation of $2 per card is suggested.

Bill Tracker H.B. 10 — Domestic Violence and Dating Violence Amendments (Litvack, D.)

Salt Lake Metro would like thank advertisers on this page for their support of expanded coverage of the Utah Legislative Session.

Please show your support of these advertisers.

Provides for protective orders against those in dating situations.

Passed favorably out of the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee with a unanimous vote. Currently on House 3rd Reading Calendar.

H.B. 85 Substitute — Abortion by a Minor — Parental Notification and Consent (Gibson, K.) Requires parental consent for abortions performed on a minor.

Has passed the House 65:8 and is now in the Senate Rules Committee

H.B. 90 — Criminal Penalty Amendments (Litvack, D.) Adds bias motivation as an aggravating factor in sentencing for crimes committed. Also known as the hate crime bill.

Was sent to the House Judiciary Committee Jan. 27. Committee members: Ferrin (Chair), Hutchings (Vice Chair), Aagard, Donnelson, Ferry, Fowlke, Hardy, Hendrickson, Hogue, Lawrence, McGee, Romero, Wyatt.

H.B. 148 Parent and Child Amendments (Christensen, L.) Restricts when a person may stand in place of a parent “in loco parentis” when contrary to the wishes of the biological parent, regardless of the interest of the child.

Bill has been introduced and is in the House Rules Committee

S.B. 19 — Amendments to Indoor Clean Air Act (Waddoups, M.) Prohibits smoking in private clubs and bars.

Bill passed the Senate and is now in the House Health and Human Services Committee.

Committee members: Last (Chair), Ray (Vice Chair), Buxton, Jones, Litvack, Lockhart, Mascaro, Menlove

S.B. 43 Minimum Wage Amendments (Mayne, E.) Increases the minimum wage to $7 per hour

Bill has been passed out of the Senate Rules Committee and now heads to the Work Force Services Senate Standing Committee. Mayne has it held for review until about Feb. 8.

S.B. 96 Public Education — Instruction and Policy Relating to the Origins of Life (Buttars, D. C.) Requires all theories of origin of life be taught in public schools and that no theory has been agreed upon by scientists.

Passed the Senate 16:12 and is now in the House Rules Committee

S.B. 97 Student Club Amendments (Buttars, D. C.) Bill text has not been released, but public statements by Buttars point to this being a bill to kill gay-straight alliance clubs in public schools.

Bill has been assigned a number and is being reviewed by the Legislative Research and General Counsel

FEBRUARY 2, 2006 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 11

From the Editor Laughing Stock

Executive Editor Michael Aaron

by Michael Aaron michael@slmetro.com

Arts Editor Eric J. Tierney

I have left this state twice for the greener pastures of the Bay Area in California; and twice I have returned. I tell people that my umbilical cord still tied to this state just stretches too tight for me to leave for any length of time.

As much as people who live here cringe every time Utah is mentioned by Leno or Letterman, we love the notoriety. We love it because we know “we” are right and “they” are wrong and we love that the rest of the world rubs “their” nose in it.

Proofreader Nicholas Rupp Contributing Kim Burgess Writers Vanessa Chang Jason Clark Benjamin Cohen Angela D’Amboise Matthew Gerber Tony Hobday Beau Jarvis Richard Labonte Danny McCoy Laurie Mecham Libby Post Paul E. Pratt Ruby Ridge Eric Rofes David Samsel Joel Shoemaker Brendan Shumway Eric J. Tierney Darren Tucker JoSelle Vanderhooft Ben Williams Contributing David Harris Photographers William H. Munk Joel Shoemaker Sales Director Steven Peterson Display Ad Russ Moss 259-0844 Sales Steven Peterson 860-7505

801-323-9500 National Rivendell Media Advertising 212-242-6863 Representative 1248 Rte 22 West Mountainside NJ 07092

Office Mgr. Tony Hobday Intern Rusty Baum Distribution Jarrod Ames Richar Boria Brandon Hurst Russ Lane Courtney Moser Copyright © 2006 Metro Publishing, Inc.

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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 is a trademark 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

“A movie theater in Utah abruptly canceled a screening of the movie ‘Brokeback Mountain’ They felt it was inappropriate for the community standards ... Instead, they ran ‘Deliverance.’”

—Jay Leno, The Tonight Show

We Honor the ‘Symbol of Hope, Faith, Character and Strength’ ‘[My husband] believed that none of us could be free until all of us were free, that a person of conscience had no alternative but to defend the human rights of all people. I want to reaffirm my determination to secure the fullest protection of the law for all working people, regardless of their sexual orientation ... it is right, just and good for America.’

— Coretta Scott King at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s “Honoring Our Allies” award ceremony

As religious black leaders marched to the podium, one after another after another, eager to denounce gay marriage in the wake of hundreds of San Franciscans marched to City Hall, a rift began to widen between the black and gay communities.

Coretta Scott King was the omnipresent healer of that rift. As she took the pulpit for civil rights after her husband, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., was assassinated in 1968, she was unwavering in her support of equal civil rights for gay men and lesbians.

“Gay and lesbian people have families, and their families should have legal protection, whether by marriage or civil union,” she said in response to the two dozen black pastors. “A constitutional

amendment banning same-sex marriages is a form of gay bashing and it would do nothing at all to protect traditional marriages.”

Powerful words from a powerful woman.

King had a vision for America — a vision of peace and justice for everyone.

She was tireless in her work toward making that vision come true, silenced only by a stroke five month ago.

“Mrs. King was a symbol of hope, of faith, of character and strength,” said Ray Daniels, a spokesperson for the National Black Justice Coalition, the nation’s largest black gay rights organization.

Few can carry themselves with the chin-up dignity as Coretta Scott King did.

Few can stand up to the pressure that she got from the more conservative black leaders because of her support for our rights.

We join the world in mourning the loss of “the first lady of the human rights movement.” We hope that all will take a moment and remember the grace in which she lived her life, the fortitude she displayed in knowing what was right, and her passion for working to make the world a better place.

(801) 323-9500 Fax: (801) 323-9986 President: Vice President: Secretary: Treasurer:

Michael Aaron Steven Peterson Steve Whittaker Larry Tanner

Your advertisers support Salt Lake Metro and quality gay and lesbian news.

Please support your advertisers.

“They,” however, love it just as much. As much as “we” think “they’re” being mocked, “they” think they are being vindicated. “They” think the rest of the world is wrong.

I roll my eyes when I hear politicos try to make an argument to the Utah State Legislature that “the rest of the world will laugh at us if we don’t ... blah, blah, blah.”

When we tried that back in the 90s for the hate crime bill, we were told by more than one conservative lawmaker that argument just doesn’t fly for them because the rest of the world is going to Outer Darkness in a hand basket.

“Utah theater cancels ‘Brokeback Mountain’ screenings. Says it gives the wrong message to young men and their countless wives.’’

—Drew Curtis of Fark.com That’s one thing that’s wrong with zealotry — whichever side you’re on. You don’t truly see the point of the other side. You don’t step back and take a look at your argument from the other side. Because of that, you severely limit your effectiveness.

We can learn a lot about effective lobbying and from a good salesperson. Salespeople size up their potential customer in a multitude of ways — how they dress, how they walk, what kind of car they drive. I think we have forgotten to size up “the other side” and respond accordingly.

“They” are worried about the moral decline of the nation. “We” should agree with them.

I do. I just don’t think I’m part of that moral decline. Let’s talk more about violence and debilitating drugs. Let’s talk about the dignity of human life as a subject of morality.

“They” are worried about the happiness of their children and providing a safe environment for them to be raised in. Ditto. Let’s talk about bullies in schools, about how to better our education system and about respecting differences.

“They” are more concerned with filling their gas tank, putting food on their table and managing their health costs than whether “we” can get married. Let’s appeal to them that we are concerned for that very same things. I think the may respond well to a fairness argument.

If we can’t insure our partners, they can die. If we get fired because it is found out that we are gay, we can’t eat.

“Know thine enemy” and “walk a mile in their shoes” are cliches that have some meaning to them after all.

Letters

King Day for All Americans

Editor: For years I’ve been disappointed in the support of gay rights by black civil rights leaders and even Dr. King’s family. Martin Luther King Jr. Day should be to celebrate civil rights for all Americans, not just black Americans. You’re right. I saw on TV the honoring of Larry “Homophobe” Miller at ,the NAACP luncheon, and I was insulted.

When will all Americans realize that denying basic rights to any minority hurts America as a whole.

Thanks for your article [“Letter From the Editor: Was it a Dream,” Jan. 19]. Please make sure a copy of it goes to the NAACP.

Steve Gardiner Salt Lake City

No Apology from the NAACP

Jeanetta Williams President, NAACP Salt Lake Branch [Michael Aaron responds: Your letter only helps further my case and the level of offense I and others continue to feel. Gay and lesbian people have worked with you and your organizations since you came into power in the 90s, yet you still haven’t learned the lesson so eloquently taught by Coretta Scott King: “Freedom from discrimination based on sexual orientation is surely a fundamental human right in any great democracy, as much as freedom from racial, religious, gender, or ethnic discrimination ... Martin Luther King

CORRECTIONS: In a Jan. 19 story about Larry H. Miller cancelling Brokeback Mountain, it was stated that Miller was involved in a confrontation with a female KSL reporter. That reporter was Ben Winslow and he is male.

In our Year in Review story, Dec. 29, a brief made it sound as if the Utah State Legislature did not allocate funding for HIV/ AIDS services. The legislature did allocate $100,000 for HIV medications in the final hour of its session.

Ruby Ridge Living Larry Needs a Cuddle

by Ruby Ridge, ruby@slmetro.com

“So, Ruby … what’s your opinion about Larry Miller and the whole Brokeback Mountain thing?” Well, at this point the whole issue is a bit tired, muffins, but thanks for asking. I can’t figure out why Larry is so scared of us, or if he is just scared of the rabid fanaticism of our local ultra-conservatives. Either way, someone needs to sit down and have a one-on-one, diva-to-diva talk with Larry and clear up some misconceptions.

As someone who firmly believes in the entrepreneurial spirit, private property, and the free marketplace of ideas, I believe that Brother Miller is totally within his right to program his movie theaters as he sees fit.

With that said, the marketplace of ideas also has the right to expose him up as a hypocritical knee-jerk jackass. The way I see it, Larry has already got the appropriate punishment he deserved in the national and international media, where he looked like a petulant idiot at best and a fearful bigot at worst.

Now the only thing up for debate is how representative Larry is of Utah and, more importantly, the LDS Church and its culture of discrimination against gays and lesbians.

His confrontation with a KSL Radio reporter suggests he’s out there on his own on this one (publicly at least) until the media frenzy dies down.

As a husky gal that knows a thing or two about timber, there’s a golden rule in logging that I should share with Larry. Never clearcut a forest that’s visible from a road. Why? Because it’s too public and it gives people proof of your evil-doing! Larry should use the same stealth tactics that the LDS Church

uses for handling controversial issues. I lovingly call it the Mormon Two-Step. You never admit your biases publicly without putting at least one or two layers of buffering between you and your critics. That way you can feign ignorance, deny culpability, circumvent litigation, and, most importantly, avoid bad press. For example, you can sponsor an anti-gay rally at BYU with church speakers, but advertise it publicly as a ProFamily Conference. That sounds reasonable.

Or you can wind up Sheri Dew, the president of Deseret Book, to assail gay families and equate them to Nazis, but have her do it out of state at a conservative conference where the local media shouldn’t pick up on it. Do you want a church-based reparative therapy program to cure homosexuals? No problem, just make it a standalone group like Evergreen so that the church can’t get sued if someone commits suicide. See, Larry, it’s easy!

“But Ruby, don’t you think the GLBT community should boycott Larry Millers’ businesses?

Yeah sure … if it floats your boat and you feel personally empowered by a boycott then knock yourself out, but I for one wouldn’t make it compulsory. Face reality Peaches, the Larry H. Miller business empire is so huge that the impact of a GLBT boycott probably wouldn’t even be statistically significant. I mean seriously, when was the last time a fag actually ate at the Mayan anyway? I for one would rather be run over by a taco wagon on State Street, but that’s just me. Ciao, kittens!

When was the last time a fag actually ate at the Mayan anyway? I for one would rather be run over by a taco wagon on State Street, but that’s just me.

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 irritability and watching the local GLBT “leadership” never follow through with issues. [Did anyone ever sit down with Zions Bank and deal with their discrimination problems from last year? Has anyone met with the Sutherland Institute folks to discuss their discriminatory family resolution?]

Jan. 30–Feb. 5 Brewvies & Regency Theaters THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2 4:00 PM / BREWVIES

SWIMMING UPSTREAM 6:00 PM / BREWVIES

FAQs

8:00 PM / BREWVIES

SUMMER STORM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3 2:30 PM / REGENCY

LOGGERHEADS

5:00 PM / BREWVIES

LESBIAN SHORT FEATURES 7:00 PM / BREWVIES

APRIL’S SHOWER 7:30 PM / REGENCY

LOGGERHEADS

MIDNIGHT/ BREWVIES

HELLBENT

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4 2:30 PM / REGENCY

LOGGERHEADS

5:00 PM / BREWVIES

HOW TO PICK UP GIRLS 7:00 PM / BREWVIES

EIGHTEEN

7:30 PM / REGENCY

LOGGERHEADS

MIDNIGHT/ BREWVIES

THE DARK SIDE

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5 11:00 AM / BREWVIES

ANGELS IN AMERICA 6:00 PM / BREWVIES

BEST SHORTS

8:00 PM / BREWVIES

GAY BUT NOT GAY DISCUSSION 10:00 PM / BREWVIES

BEST OF THE FEST

For a listing of all films and to buy tickets, go to saltfest.org

FEBRUARY 2, 2006 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 13

Editor, How dare you claim that your Gay and Lesbian Organization was betrayed because of Larry Miller’s presence at the NAACP’s Salt Lake Branch Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon [“Letter From the Editor: Was It Just a Dream?” Michael Aaron, Jan. 19]. The NAACP has never made any attempts to dictate to you or members of your organization who to invite to your activities nor how much money they can donate to students striving to get an education. We have not had your organization donate scholarship funds to assist students that the NAACP selects to receive scholarships. We do not divide people by singling them out nor do we give scholarships only to African Americans.

We do not deliberately seek out ones sexual orientation either. Furthermore, members of your organization were told in your paper (Salt Lake Metro) [“It’s Time for a New Approach on Hate Crime Law” Mar. 3, 2005] that membership to the NAACP was open to anyone to join and were encouraged by your Salt Lake Metro to have your members join when it was found out that the NAACP wanted to obtain signatures to put the Hate Crimes Bill on the ballot. It seems as though when issues are favorable to your group, you praise the NAACP and if not, you find fault.

Betrayal is to violate trust or allegiance and the only times that you and your organization want to akin your rights with the NAACP is when it benefits your cause. The NAACP has always fought for the rights of everyone and not a select group. Consider that when you are poisoning your readers with statements that are not true. Likewise, you have offended me to the core.

Just for the record, how do you equate your issues of the gay and lesbian community with 400 years of slavery in America, free labor building this country, separate eating facilities, separate bathroom facilities, segregated seats on the public buses, segregated schools, water hose turned on us, police dogs turned on us, restricted from voting, less pay for doing the same jobs of Whites, not hired when qualified and seeing White less qualified persons getting hired, discrimination in housing, and the list goes on.

You will not be getting an apology from the NAACP.

Jr. said, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’ I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream to make room at the table of brother- and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people.”

I will continue to praise the NAACP to the rafters when it does right. I will continue to “find fault” when they do wrong.

For the record, because of the length of the original letter and because the first half of the letter was more personal in nature to which I responded personally, we chose to print only the final four paragraphs unedited.]

Salt Lake Metro welcomes letters from its readers. Please email letters@slmetro.com or mail them to Editor, Salt Lake Metro, 352 S. Denver St. #350, Salt Lake City UT 84111.

AberRant

Whine But Plug

by Laurie Mecham laurie@slmetro.com

Many of my new colleagues have asked me what it was like living in Utah. I’ve told them about my kids and my job there and the snow. I also tried telling them about the politics, but the Utah Legislature wasn’t in session yet, so I wasn’t properly fired up, not in the way I used to get when I’d drink too much coffee while reading the Tribune. Now, thanks to state senator Chris Buttars, the Sutherland Institute, and the Internet, I can whip myself into a bug-eyed, high-pitched frenzy of dramatic hand gestures, hollering, and more eye-rolling than an exorcism.

Oh, Senator Buttars. You make me want to sing. I’m thinking, “How do you Solve a Problem Like Maria,” only I change the name in the song and fill the rest with cuss words.

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4

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SALT LAKE METRO ■ FEBRUARY 2, 2006

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“How do you solve a problem like Chris Buttars?

How do you catch a clod and pin him down?

How do you find a word that means Chris Buttars?

A zealot, homophobic, right-wing clown!

How can you -%8# your $>#*! in Chris Buttars…”

Again and again, the Senator’s comments make our jaws drop, and not in the happy

way. His gal-pal Gayle Ruzicka sweet-talked him into speaking at the Eagle Forum convention early this year. (You might have thought you were seeing the amateur drag competition and the gun show at the same venue, but it was just the Eagles.) Buttars loves giving lip service to gays (ba-da BING!) saying, “They’re everywhere. They’re getting into everything,” Well, Chris, that’s sort of

Now, I can whip myself into a bug-eyed, highpitched frenzy of dramatic hand gestures, hollering, and more eye-rolling than an exorcism.

the idea. We are everywhere, and we’re into law and health care and education…even (gasp) POLITICS! It used to be that when a Utah student asked, “Where did I come from?” even though the teacher couldn’t tell them the facts about human reproduction, they could at least talk about biology in a broader context, including the scientific evidence regarding the origin and development of life. But now, the jolly fat man proposes to force science teachers to cross their fingers behind their backs and say that there are other “scientific” ways of explaining these phenomena, which is, well, a flat out lie.

Buttars gives a fine example of how this concept can be explained scientifically. “I’ve seen a dog and I’ve seen a cat, but I’ve never seen a “dat.” He then broke into song with a favorite from Dumbo: “But I be done seen ‘bout everything, when I see a elephant fly…” His comments about “dats” got me thinking. For example, I’ve seen a donkey and I’ve seen a horse, but I’ve never seen a mule. Oh, wait, never mind.

I have to admit that even a bitter expatriate like me can have a soft spot. When Buttars learned that Scott McCoy had become a state legislator, his astonished reply was, “the GAY?” I found that surprising. He could have used so many ugly words, any number of epithets. But in that moment, he showed a kind of second-grade level of education. Yes, he apparently dropped out of political correctness school about then. But I found his newage-ish use of the term “gay” — er, I mean — “GAY!” to be surprising and maybe even a little bit cute. (I’m using “cute” in the way that those baboons who have sitting pads that make them look like their asses exploded are kind of cute if you squint and look at them from the right angle.) And he may wield an unnatural, church-marries-state kind of influence, but I don’t think he is power-hungry. He has the same dream that you and I hold for him—to retire from the Legislature and serve an extended foreign mission for his church. I know I’ve made him the object of my jokes, the mark, the target, and the butt — well, here’s a plug. Let’s support that retirement desire. Let us join him in praying for that blessing to arrive very, very soon.

Laurie Mecham — how do you make her stay, and listen to all you say? How do you keep a wave upon the sand?

Lambda Lore Gay Movies

FEBRUARY 2, 2006 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 15

gay, do the world a favor and kill yourself before your secret can lead to blackmail and social disgrace.

“The movies didn’t When I was 17 years old, I saw Rod Steialways get history straight. ger, tormented over his attraction to the But they told the dream.”

—Charleton Heston, beautiful John Philip Law in The Sergeant, America on Film 1976 try to suppress his “unnatural” desires by being a masochistic brute. Of course, when There was a time when Steiger’s jealousy overcomes him, he kisses black people were not Law in a drunken rage, then kills himself as portrayed, in the movies and on television, all good fags were suppose to do. as anything more than a white person’s Rod Steiger’s kiss of death may have caricature of them. The same can be said been my first man-on-man screen kiss but, of gay people, even though gay people thank God, not the last. The most memohave been involved in the art of filmmakrable screen kiss was reserved for the ing since its inception — two men were hunky Michael York and Anthony Higgins. filmed dancing in an 1895 short called Gay I was 19 years old. In a deliciously wicked Brothers. movie called Something for Everyone, also It was gay people who put the glamour staring a much younger Angela Lansbury, into films, yet they were never allowed to and in a scene meant to shock the audibe portrayed accurately or be the leading ence, the two young men kissed. I know characters. Rudolph Valentino, Randolph my groin stirred, and I saw that movie five Scott, Cary Grant, Greta Garbo, Rock times just to see Michael York kiss a man.

Hudson, and so many others — some of Another film that made an indelible the biggest stars in Holmark on my young lywood — had to play it psyche was gay director straight to keep working Lindsey Anderson’s IF, in homophobic HollyMovies truly are starring a pre-Clockwood. work Orange Malcolm True, Hollywood had the stuff dreams McDowell. In this British its sissies — Edward cult classic, several are made of and Everett Horton, Franklin beautiful teenagers at Pangborn and Tony Rancan touch the a British boy boarding dall to name a few — but school bed down with inner recesses they were doomed to each other in a very play effeminate and inefof our souls and loving way before decidfectual males, second transcend into our ing to fight the British fiddle to the star. Not establishment. This was the most positive role consciousness as 1969, mind you. models.

The movie that I Nevertheless, movies few mediums can. struggled with the most were where a homosexwas Mart Cowley’s Boys ual kid could sit in the in the Band. In the fall dark and escape from of 1970, I sat in my 1963 the pressures of living in a heterosexuFord Galaxie out in the theater parking lot, ally-constricted world. It was a place over trying to muster up the courage to buy a the rainbow. Every town in America had a ticket for the most obviously gay film to movie house where gays could see a world date. Yes, I had seen The Killing of Sister outside of the confines of their limited George the year before, but I was obviously experience. not a lesbian, and at 18 years old, I really When the Donald character from Boys didn’t understand the theme of being in the Band (Crowley 1970) lambasted lost in a world that had outgrown you. I Michael for quoting lines from only movrecently watched it on video and I finally ies and not the theater, saying movies are got it, but then again I am now the same “such garbage,” Michael retorted, “Pardon age or older than the main character was me if your sense of art is offended, but in the film. odd as it may seem there wasn’t a Shubert I finally did go in to see Boys in the Band, Theatre in Hot Coffee, Mississippi!” I so reand it was life altering. I realized on film lated. When I was 19 I was always quoting that there were other gays out there, and dialog from A Lion in Winter, which held so even if they were all bitchy and nasty and many usable witty lines for an unsophistihateful, they did love each other, really, cated boy from Orange County. in spite of the fact they hated themselves.

As in Hot Coffee, neither was there musiWell, at least no one committed suicide cal theater in Garden Grove, California, in the movie. Today the movie may seem where I grew up. But there were many dated, but as a period piece, it does acmovie houses ranging from Art Nouveau curately portray the pre-Stonewall gay movie palaces to little Bijous with screens liberation mindset. no bigger then a postage stamp. It was Summing it all up, movies have influin these places I learned more about life enced me all of my life, from Fortune and than in school. Thus movies are important Men’s Eyes, where a young man’s innocence to me and I imagine they are to most gay is destroyed through prison rape, to Brokepeople. In many ways they shaped the back Mountain, where society’s straightperception of life for many gay people of jacket destroys the lives of two good men my generation. unable to cope in a world that despises The first movie I ever saw dealing with them. I took my first Shakespeare literature homosexuality was The Children’s Hour, class in college after seeing Fortune and shown on late night television. I was about Men’s Eyes. I bawled my eyes out every 13 years old. Shirley McLaine just felt so time I watched it. And now, years later, I damn dirty for having an attraction to Auam still bawling my eyes out over a gay drey Hepburn. So much so that she kicked movie. Movies truly are the stuff dreams a chair out from beneath herself to deal are made of and can touch the inner rewith the awful shame. That certainly was cesses of our souls and transcend into our a good role model for this young gay boy. consciousness as few mediums can. Go I learned from the movies that if you’re see a movie today.

Winterfest 2006 Blows into Salt Lake City

by JoSelle Vanderhooft joselle@slmetro.com

This winter, Valerie Larabee has been crunching more numbers than usual. By her estimation, it took over one-hundred volunteers six months to put together nearly thirty events happening over the ten days of Winterfest, Utah’s first celebration of the kind. Now all that remains is counting the number of people who attend the diverse events — including film showings, community service projects and dance nights — of the so-called “extended weekend” held February 3 through February 10.

“With twenty eight activities, there’s something for everyone,” said Larabee,

Executive Director of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Utah. “The major thing that I want from Winterfest is that people find the opportunity for themselves to come out and be with other people they feel comfortable around.”

According to Larabee, Winterfest was conceived as an answer to Utah’s Marriage Week, held this year from February 7 to February 14. Since 1991, this week of workshops, conferences and other events has been held to recognize the social importance of heterosexual marriage.

“We wanted to have something that could show the state of Utah that [gay people] also have loving and committed families,” she

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said. “That we are here and we are proud, and that our right to marry is as important to us as is their right to marry.”

Like Utah’s Marriage Week, Winterfest will also open with a conference. Held at the Sheraton City Centre Hotel on February 11, the conference will feature opening remarks by activist/singer Holly Near. It will also include several panels on a number of topics, including building trust in monogamous relationships, working with heterosexual allies and combating internalized homophobia.

According to Larabee, the day-long conference has panels, workshops and lectures not often available for people in smaller cities such as Salt Lake.

“Often times people who are professionals, or in the GLBT community, or in social work or arenas that have to do with the kinds of issues [addressed at the conference] have to go out of state to get this kind of education,” she said. “That’s why we felt like it was important to get a curriculum together that would give people an opportunity to stay home and experience this stuff.”

Some of the conference’s highlights will include author and columnist Bryan Harris, whose book The Sanctity of Marriage Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Marriage—Between a Man and a Woman—Fea-

turing Those Who Cast the First Stone takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the often messy married lives of gay marriage’s staunchest political opponents.

“He brings to the conference humor and some education about that political aspect,” said Larabee.

A local highlight is University of Utah English professor Kathryn Bond Stockton, whose workshop “Queer Theory & You: Genitals, Clothing, Pleasure and Shame” will address the social construction of sexual and gender identity, and how attendees can apply this knowledge to discussing such issues with straight friends and family.

“We were happy she agreed to speak, because she gets asked to speak so much,” said Larabee. “But she feels really strongly about what we’re trying to do with this conference.”

But Winterfest is much more than a day’s worth of workshops. It also includes such activities as art gallery shows, photography exhibits, plays and films, community service projects and sporting events like ice skating and skiing. These events, called “flurries,” will be held at a number of venues around the city.

There will also be a Valentine’s Day Gala held February 11 at the Sheraton. The dance’s theme: the Roaring 20’s.

“We never felt there was anything for our community to do together on Valentine’s Day,” said Larabee. “So the Valentine’s Gala on Saturday is going to be an exceptionally fun event for couples as well as singles.

But ultimately, Larabee hopes Winterfest will draw Utahns of all walks of life, not just gays and lesbians.

“I hope we are able to maximize the event in terms of getting the information about it into the hands of Utah outside our community, so they can see we are people who enjoy the same things they do so we become even more integrated into the fabric of this state,” she said.

For a complete list of events, venues and prices visit http://www.slcwinterfest.com/.

A Flurry of Activities Four film premieres, a show of three national comedians, sports events and neighborhood potluck socials are but a few activities making up the ten-day Winterfest Flurries.

Enter the annual “Golden Boys Contest” for cash prizes. Put on your best “Winter-White” outfit & come down for the Winterfest-ivities.

Entertainment

Friday Feb. 10, 9:00 p.m. — MoDiggity’s Come to MoDiggity’s for a Girls Night Out with sWerve.

Dancing, libations and contests for best use of a mustache, best body art, best fancy footwear and many others.

Feeling sassy? Enter to win one of many fabulous prizes.

OPENING SHOW

Friday, Feb. 3, 7:00 p.m. — Rose Wagner Performing Arts JASON STUART — The most popular gay male Jewish comic on college campuses. Jason has guest starred on House, and Will & Grace. He is currently touring with his stand-up show “The Looking for Mr. Right Show.”

MICHELE BALAN — Michele is a high-energy quick-witted comic princess who has been voted as one of the top 10 NYC comics by Backstage Magazine in 2004, and has been featured in both Queer Comics and the Gala at the Montreal Comedy Festival.

VIDUR KAPUR — Vidur’s edgy, urban, ground-breaking comedy incorporates colorful characters that range from traditional Indian to outrageous and funky. Vidur comically shares his experiences with issues including homophobia, racism, classism, cultural sensitivities, and gender identity.

BACKSTAGE PARTY — $15

Friday, Feb. 3rd, 9:00 p.m. — Rose Wagner Center, Rose Rm. Rub elbows with the performers. Hors d’ oeuvres & cash bar.

FILM PREMIER “UNVEILED” — $10

In German with English subtitles.

Sunday, Feb. 5, 2:00 p.m., Regency Theater, Trolley Sq. Fariba, prosecuted in Iran because of her love for a woman, flees to Germany where her application for asylum is turned down. Assuming the identity of a man who recently committed suicide, she is sent to a refugee camp near a small German village where she meets Anne.

FILM PREMIER “DORIAN BLUES” — $10

Holly Near to Sing, Speak at Salt Lake City Winterfest

Sunday, Feb. 5, 4:30 p.m. — Regency Theater, Trolley Sq. First-time director Tennyson Bardwell reinvents the universal coming-out story with novelty and delight; like fresh air in the tire of a faithful old ten-speed. Bardwell’s award-winning screenplay embellishes familiar milestones with an exhilarating quirkiness and the intoxicating suggestion that each of us is eminently lovable, even at our most geeky moments.

By JoSelle Vanderhooft

BOYS CLUB NIGHT — $5

Friday, Feb. 10, 9:00 p.m. — The Trapp Door Hostess Sheneka Christie invites you to the Trapp Door’s Boys Club Night for go-go boys and a night of special performances. Krystyna Shaylee will co-host the evening.

FILM PREMIER “THE JOURNEY” — $10

In Malayalam with English Subtitles.

• Sunday, Feb. 12, 2:00 p.m. — Broadway Centre Cinemas In The Journey, a film set in India, beautiful young Kiran falls in love with her lifelong best friend Delilah. They somewhat recklessly begin a lesbian relationship, and their deep emotions soon becomes obvious to their families. As the whispering begins in town, Delilah’s mother confronts her and demands that the relationship end. Worse, to save her reputation, she quickly arranges a marriage for her daughter.

FILM SNEAK PREVIEW “ADAM & STEVE” — $10

• Sunday, Feb. 12, 4:30 p.m. — Broadway Centre Cinemas After a disastrous one-night stand in the 80s, Adam & Steve don’t recognize each other when they meet again fifteen years later. With the help of their best friends, formerly obese stand up comic Rhonda (Parker Posey), and straightguy ladies’ man Michael (Chris Kattan), our protagonists fall in love only to realize, a year into their relationship, that they had met before and unwittingly changed the course of each other’s lives that fateful night in the 80s.

Arts & Culture WINTERFEST GALLERY ART SHOW — $5

Saturday, Feb. 4th, 7:00 p.m. — Patrick Moore Gallery Local gay and lesbian artists take center-stage at the Patrick Moore Gallery. Participating artists include: Trevor Southey, JoNell Evans, Duncan Hilton, Steven Sheffield, Randal Lake, Bevan Chi p.m.an, Sandee Parsons, Bob Hyde, Terry Stevens, Ron Butkovich, Christina Lenzi, and Evelyn Garlington.

Also new local, emerging artists. A portion of all artwork purchased will benefit the GLBTCCU.

“LOVE MAKES A FAMILY” EXHIBIT — FREE

Tuesday, Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m. — Salt Lake City/County Bdg. Love Makes a Family is a traveling exhibit with photographs and interviews of families that have lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender members. Through first-person accounts —Continued on page 19

FEBRUARY 2, 2006 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 17

me. At the time I don’t think she identified joselle@slmetro.com as being a lesbian but she was certainly Evelyn Garlington remembers her first into progressive politics, very much an Holly Near concert as if it had happened activist. It matched my feelings back then yesterday. During the 1970s, Near perand I think I and others like me owe their formed at the University of Memphis. lives as activists largely to the training she “There were forty of us in the audigave us just by speaking from the stage ence,” the president of the Gay, Lesbian, and singing the songs that she sung.”

Bisexual and Transgender Community According to Valerie Larabee, the Center of Utah’s board of trustees and Center’s executive director, Near was also Winterfest co-coordinator recalled. “She a natural choice to draw an often underhelped us put the chairs up when we were represented population to Winterfest: finished.”

Utah’s older lesbians. She thinks many Perhaps this simple gesture best capof them will attend Near’s pre-confertures what many of Near’s fans like best ence “Songtalk,” in which Near sings and about her. Whether performing for big speaks about her music and activism, events like the March for Women’s Lives held the evening of Friday, February 10. in Washington, DC or for a small group “We wanted to bring her in because of college students, Near, who came out we feel like there’s a demographic in as lesbian early in her singing career, has our community that only comes out for always maintained a highly personal concertain things,” she said. “Holly Near nection with her audience. Well-known tends to bring out the older lesbians, for concerts combining music, teaching and you know we don’t see them a lot. and activism, she seemed like a natural Yet they have a very powerful voice and choice to open Winterfest 2006. Near will in their own communities and they can be the opening speaker for make such a difference when the Winterfest Conference, they’re excited about someHOLLY NEAR Saturday, February 11. thing.”

IN CONCERT “The reason we wanted her “I do know the black box 7PM to kick off the conference is theatre at the Rose Wagner Friday, February 10 because this conference is only holds 200 people, so it’s Black Box Theatre going to be more progressive, going to sell out fast,” GarRose Wagner Performing because it’s for GLBT people,” lington agreed. “She teaches Arts Center said Garlington. with her music and she ex138 W. Broadway Garlington’s fond memoplains what her music means Tickets $20 at ries of Near’s music, some of to her. She really taught me, 355-ARTS which she had produced in and I guess a lot of other Memphis as part of a series people my age, not what to of concerts featuring women think but how to think.” musicians, also played a part in bringing For more information about Holly Near her to Winterfest. visit www.hollynear.com . For tickets to “It was the first time in my life that the Pre-Conference concert, call ArtTix at some music with words really spoke to 355-ARTS. Tickets are $20 and seating is me,” she said. “Her songs were so right for extremely limited.

GIRLS CLUB NIGHT — $5

Matt Foreman to Close Winterfest Conference

By Darren Tucker

darren@slmetro.com

The battle for equality for gay, lesbian, bi and transgender people is at a crucial turning point – and the next three to five years will “determine if the slow and painful progress will continue, or if we’ll be set back by a generation.”

That’s the view from the front lines that Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, plans to share with Utah residents during his “State of the Movement” remarks kicking off Winterfest 2006.

“Across the country, we are seeing incredible ills and incredible promise at the same time.” Foreman said. “We need to learn how to take advantage of the promise.”

Foreman took time between flights to discuss the movement and how the task force plans to “take advantage of the promise” on a snowy afternoon in Salt Lake City.

He was on his way to Miami, a world apart from the Beehive State in both weather and other types of climate.

Those differences served as a counterpoint to his remarks.

He talked about the difference in Utah, from when he made his home here years ago, and now. “No one back then even considered a pro-gay mayor,” he said. “It was unheard of then. Despite the anti-marriage amendment, we’ve made huge strides forward in Utah.”

He said creating change takes time and work. It’s not for the feint of heart, he said, nor people who are in it for only one election cycle.

There are different ways of fighting battles, Foreman pointed out. There are the people in suits, quietly working behind the lines, and those who are a bit more outspoken. When asked how to battle something like Larry H. Miller’s refusal to show Brokeback Mountain in his theaters, a little more direct approach is needed.

“We need a strong outsider movement.

We need to take the fight to the streets with yelling and signs. We have to confront bigotry in a forthright and angry manor.

We need to speak the truth to bigotry,” he explained. “It’s such a critical time, we need to keep the pressure up on all fronts.”

But perhaps the most important differ-

Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

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SALT LAKE METRO ■ FEBRUARY 2, 2006

ence we need to embrace is how we look at our own movement. It’s time we stop looking at the fight for gay and lesbian rights as “fighting for a different dental plan.”

“It needs to stop being a fight for this individual right or that little thing,” Foreman said. “Every time we are denied a basic right, we are made less of a human. We need to stop saying ‘oh sir, could we have this one little thing.’ When people say we are not entitled to any certain right, they are saying we are less human than them.

We need to call people on that.”

Foreman said nothing less than absolutely equal rights across the board will do. He said in the days of the Stonewall Riots, perhaps too many of us actually thought we were entitled to less than other people. And, he said, perhaps then people thought the best way to create

change was in small increments.

He sad the biggest difference in the movement today needs to be our own recognition of ourselves of humans deserving of the exact same treatment as every other human.

“It’s time we break with that past,” he said. “The marriage fight has given us a way to transform how we operate and an opportunity to demand that people talk to us as humans.”

Foreman said when the fight for equal rights becomes discouraging we need to remind ourselves there is a lot of pro-gay sentiment in the country right now – in communities, governments, and even churches.

“We need to counter the impression that most people are anti-gay, because they just aren’t,” he said.

Winterfest Conference Offers a Wide Range of Topics

A one-day conference of issues facing the gay and lesbian community and families and friends will kick off Salt Lake City Winterfest. The conference, held at the Sheraton City Centre Hotel at 150 W. 500 South, will host nationally-known speakers in the opening and closing sessions and will include four tracks, each with four sessions.

The conference will cost $60, including the lunch. Youth scholarships are available for $15 (not including lunch) through Nathan at the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Community Cente of Utah, 539-8800.

Conference Sessions: 8:30–9:30 a.m.

OPENING SPEAKER HOLLY NEAR Teacher and vocalist Holly Near uses her experiences to bring forth the last 30 years of political activism. Near’s perspective is full of humor and history as she discusses events that have inspired songs and songs that have inspired change. An immense vocal talent, her career as a singer has been profoundly defined by an unwillingness to separate her passion for music from her passion for human dignity. She is a skilled performer and an outspoken ambassador for peace who brings to the stage an integration of world consciousness, spiritual discovery, and theatricality.

SESSION I —

9:45am — 10:45am

IN GOD WE TRUST?: RELIGIOUS POLITICS, SEXUAL POLITICS: ORGANIZING FOR A PROGRESSIVE, QUEER FUTURE

Ann Pellegrini, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Performance Studies & Religious Studies, New York University.

One of the peculiarities of U.S. public debates about sex and sexuality is how quickly talking about sex turns into talking about religion.

Just consider with what ease politicians from both sides of the aisle quote Bible verses to justify their votes against same-sex marriage (and sometimes for it). But, why religion, why sex? How or why did sex become the arbiter of whether a person has values or not? During this session we will explore other ways of talking about what we — a progressive, queer “we” — value and why.

BIAS AND OPPRESSION: AN INTERNAL & PERSONAL EXAMINATION (PART I)

Debra Daniels, LCSW, Director, Women’s Resource Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City

“I’m not prejudiced. I don’t even see color.”

Are these statements you have made? In this participant-centered, interactive workshop, we invite you to take the plunge and learn how misunderstanding “diversity” divides our many communities. Maybe you have felt oppressed as an LGBT person, but do you recognize in what situations you may actually be the oppressor? This experiential twopart workshop will help you begin to look at the biases and oppression that exist within each of us and how those biases impact those we interact with, and our community.

David Ferguson, Program Director, Utah Aids Foundation, Salt Lake City, UT Risa Karisa, Health Access Project Coordinator, Utah Aids Foundation, Salt Lake City

Does the GLBT population experience unique barriers to affordable health care compared to our straight compatriots, and how does the GLBT population experience health care differently from the general population? This workshop will explore how we are working to change the current inequities in life-long access to quality health care.

INTERNALIZED HOMOPHOBIA

Valerie A. Larabee, M. Ed., Executive Director, GLBTCCU Evelyn Garlington, Board President, GLBTCCU

Generally we think of homophobia as a prob-

SESSION II

11:00am — 12:00pm

NEGOTIATING MONOGAMY: STEPS TO BUILDING TRUST Marybeth Raynes, M.S.W., Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Marriage & Family Therapist, Salt Lake City, UT

Building trust is a vulnerable issue in every relationship; but when a couple is in conflict over whether to have a monogamous or an open relationship, trust is even harder to sustain. This workshop will propose ways to build trust from the start and how to restore trust once breaches have occurred within the intimate relationship.

QUEER THEORY & YOU: GENITALS, CLOTHING, PLEASURE, AND SHAME Kathryn Bond Stockton, Ph.D., Professor of English and Director of Gender Studies, University of Utah

What in the world is queer theory? What questions does it ask and why should we care? How might it be our best way of speaking to straight friends and family, showing them just how queer they are? Presented in a humorous, accessible style, this talk will stretch your perceptions on what you think you know (and our culture thinks it knows) about important matters surrounding your genitals, your clothing, your pleasure & your shame.

BIAS AND OPPRESSION: AN INTERNAL & PERSONAL EXAMINATION (PART II)

Debra Daniels, Director LCSW, Women’s Resource Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City

In this session we will continue the examination of our own biases and learn more about what privilege means in our lives.

Join us as we delve deeper into the personal oppression that we may be displaying in our own actions and learn what it means to be accountable in our personal and community interactions.

WORKING WITH OUR HETEROSEXUAL ALLIES FOR EVERYBODY’S GAIN Glenda M. Russell, Ph.D., Senior Research Associate, Institute for Gay and Lesbian Strategic Studies, San Francisco, CA

This session addresses the motivations, roles, stresses and rewards for heterosexuallyidentified people who work in support of equal rights for GLBT people. This workshop is based on more than a decade of research, and has information for both heterosexual allies and for GLBT people who work — or want to work — with them.

LUNCH & AWARDS CEREMONY 12:00–1:15 p.m.

SESSION III — 1:15– 2:45 p.m.

THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE — FEATURING THOSE WHO CAST THE FIRST STONE Bryan Harris, Author & Columnist

Author Bryan Harris joins us and takes a satirical look at right wing leaders to see how well they live up to the sacred ideals they profess to be defending against “defilers” of marriage such as gay couples hoping to marry.

This session will provide an edgy, tongue-incheek look at the lives of some of the most vocal “defenders” of marriage, and how they have (not) lived up to the sacred standards of the institution they claim to protect.

TENDING YOURSELF, TENDING THE TRIBE: PSYCHOLOGICAL SURVIVAL IN THE FACE OF ANTI-GAY POLITICS

Glenda M. Russell, Ph.D., Senior Research Assoc, Institute for Gay and Lesbian Strategic Studies, San Francisco, CA

PANEL DISCUSSION — GENDER WARRIORS Panelists to be announced

Do you identify as Butch, Femme, MTF, FTM, Gender-Queer, Cross-Dresser, or none of the above? We are all differently-gendered people and we use maleness, femaleness, and the spaces inbetween to define ourselves and to identify ourselves to each other. This panel consists of four people who see gender very differently. Together, we will explore what gender means for the GLBT community & how we all use it to push boundaries.

MANAGING SEXUAL VALUES CONFLICTS: FINDING INNER PEACE WITH SEX & SPIRITUALITY Mark Malan, Ph.D., MPH, ACS, Assistant Professor of Sexology, Institute of Advanced Study of Human Sexuality

Those who experience inner conflict between spiritual values and sexuality are not alone. This session will focus on understanding the dynamics of psychosexual shame and identifying solutions to values and conflicts in our own lives. Dr. Malan will help us identify hidden sources of internalized shame and phobias and show what can be done to increase sexual health and find inner peace.

CLOSING SPEAKER MATT FOREMAN 3:00PM — 4:00PM

Matt Foreman directs the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force with vigor, forthrightness and poise. He has worked for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights for 25 years, and has led the Task Force as its executive director since May 2003 after more than two decades of distinguished service and leadership in the city and state of New York.

Foreman will deliver a report from the front lines with his annual “State of the Movement” remarks.

Tickets and more information can be found online at www.slcwinterfest.com

A Flurry of Activities Continued from page 17 and positive images, this exhibit seeks to challenge and change damaging myths and stereotypes about GLBT people & their families. This exhibit runs Feb. 7th through the 16th.

“FACING EAST” READING WITH CAROL LYNN PEARSON — $15

Sunday, Feb. 12, 2:30 p.m. — Rose Wagner Ctr, Black Box Facing East is a developing play by Carol Lynn Pearson (the author of Goodbye I Love You) in which two LDS parents attempt to make sense of the suicide of their gay son. Facing East is a timely and frank discussion of the definition of family. Ms. Pearson will be on hand for a discussion with the audience following the reading. This reading is presented by Plan-B Theatre Company. Featuring actors Joyce Cohen, Kevin Doyle and Jay Perry, directed by Jerry Rapier.

MY BIG GAY UTAH WEDDING — $15

(For individual tickets call 801-355-ARTS) Sunday, Feb. 12, 7:00 p.m. — Rose Wagner Ctr, Black Box Come join us at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center for a bit of dinner theatre with a twist. What would happen if gay marriage was allowed in the Reddest of the Red states? This interactive event takes you through the bachelor/bachelorette party, the wedding ceremony and the reception. You’re in for an evening of fun, food and giveaways.

Fun Activities COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT — FREE

Saturday, Feb. 4, 10:00am — GLBT Community Center Let’s spread the love. This year’s Community Service Project will focus on making Valentine’s Day gift baskets for the children served by the Volunteers of America’s Homeless Youth Resource Center. Bring yourself, your friends, your enthusiasm and any supplies (basket, chocolate, candy, ribbons, gift wrap, etc) you would like to donate.

INTERFAITH SERVICE — FREE

Saturday, Feb. 4, 5:00 p.m. — All Saints Episcopal Church Join us as a community of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people, along with our families and friends, from various faith traditions, as we celebrate who we are, what we believe, and what we value.

NEIGHBORHOOD POTLUCK SOCIALS — FREE

Sunday, Feb. 5, 12:00 p.m.- Various Locations Do you ever wonder where all the GLBT people are in your neighborhood? Now is your chance. Bring a dish to pass and meet your neighbors. The potlucks will continue after Winterfest, so attend the big kickoff. To find the location of the potluck in your area, log on to www.slcwinterfest.com.

YOUTH VALENTINE’S ACTIVITY — FREE

Friday, Feb. 10, 7:00 p.m. — Location TBA A Valentine’s-themed activity for queer youth, ages 13-20.

Bring your sweetheart or meet someone new. Call Stan Burnett, Director of Youth Programs, 539-8800, ext. 14.

WINTERFEST SUNDAY BRUNCH — $15

Sunday, Feb. 12th, 11:00am-2:00 p.m. — The Judge Cafe Mischief, Mimosas & Muffins...Oh My. Come join Ruby Ridge and the fabulous Utah Cyber Sluts for a Sunday Brunch Buffet at The Judge Cafe & Grill. Because Darlings, nothing kick-starts your day like coffee, sexual confusion, & questionable glamour. Mimosas available for a donation.

Sports FAMILY ICE SKATING — $5 / CHILDREN 12 & UNDER FREE

Saturday, Feb. 4th, 2:15 p.m.-4:15 p.m. — Gallivan Center Ice Rink Come skate with The Gay and Lesbian Parents of Utah. Meet us at the Gallivan Center ice rink for an afternoon of ice skating, hot chocolate and good friendship.

Free skate rental for all attendees.

BOWLING PARTY NIGHT — $10

Sunday, Feb. 5th, 7:00 p.m. — Bonwood Bowl This event includes three games and shoe rental. There will be a raffle for a bowling ball and bag. A “Mystery Game” and a “Strikeit-Rich” games will be held. All proceeds benefit The Center. Meet new friends, or come with your own team of six.

GAY SKI DAY — $50/$40

Sunday, Feb. 12th, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. — Brighton Ski Resort We welcome diversity, so regardless of whether you are gay or lesbian, a boarder or a skier, join us on the slopes of Brighton. The first 50 tickets sold include a commemorative beanie, which is a great way to identify fellow Winterfesters & show some pride on the mountain.

• $50 All Day Pass OR $40 Beginner’s Pass (includes access to beginner lifts).

• Schedule Includes 12:00 p.m. lunch, 1:00 p.m. group run from summit, 2:00 p.m. Apres Ski at Molly Greens slope-side restaurant.

Community Dialogue GLBT MUSIC REVIEWS & DISCUSSION — FREE

Monday, Feb. 6th, 7:00 p.m. — GLBT Community Center It’s all about the music. Come find out what is happening in the music scene, from the homo-hop of Katastophe and Scream Club, to the tried and true music of Ani and Melissa.

WINTERFEST POLITICAL RALLY — FREE

Tuesday, Feb. 7, 6:00 p.m. — Utah State Capitol Plaza The Winterfest Political Rally culminates a special day of lobbying by Equality Utah, the Stonewall Democrats, and the Utah Log Cabin Republicans. Join us on the first day of “Marriage Week” to bring visibility to the needs of Utah’s GLBT families.

GLBT BOOK REVIEWS & DISCUSSION — FREE

Wednesday, Feb. 8, 7:00 p.m. — GLBT Community Center Discover what is new in queer literature and which books and authors are the must-reads. We will also be looking at queer classics and examining some authors you may not have even realized were gay.

GLBT TRAVEL OPTIONS & DISCUSSION — FREE Thursday, Feb. 9, 7:00 p.m. — GLBT Community Center Where are the current GLBT vacation hot spots? Where can GLBT people vacation safely while maintaining that fabulous GLBT sense of glam? Learn the do’s and don’ts of safe travel, and how to get where you are going without losing your style.

COLLEGIATE QUEER LEADERSHIP DEVELO P.M.ENT SEMINAR — FREE

Friday, Feb. 10, 2:00 p.m. — UofU Olpin Union, Collegiate Rm Are you a GLBT college student who would like to become a leader for your community? This seminar is designed to build leadership skills among college-aged activists.

FEBRUARY 2, 2006 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 19

BARRIERS TO HEALTH CARE ACCESS: IS IT A GAY THING?

lem experienced by the “straight” community.

While most psychological research focuses on heterosexual prejudice against homosexuals, internalized prejudice against homosexuality is a real phenomenon. Participants will be led through an exploratory process to reveal ways in which internalized homophobia is impacting our relationships and interactions.

This session offers concrete information for surviving anti-gay politics. Information from this workshop has helped people who have been impacted by anti-gay rhetoric, and has offered others new skills to protect them in the face of current or future campaigns. Not only can we survive these campaigns, we can use them to become stronger as people and as activists.

ANGELS IN AMERICA See Sunday, Feb. 5

THE GAY AGENDA

by Tony Hobday tony@slmetro.com

2THURSDAY I’ve been told many a time that I resemble Sir Elton John. I suppose I do a bit, and I appreciate the compliment. Now if I could just write a Tony Award-winning musical like AIDA, and everyone would hopefully call me Sir, too. Based on the Verdi Opera, this quintessential story of love, passion and tragedy has enthralled audiences across the country since its debut in 1998.

7:30pm Thursdays thru Feb. 11, Pardoe Theatre, Brigham Young University. Tickets $10–14, www.artstix.byu.edu

3FRIDAY

The Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Community Center of Utah is presenting a “cooool” spin-off of Utah Pride with a 10-day “winter extravaganza.” WINTERFEST 2006 unveils tonight with the groundbreaking comedy routines of Jason Stuart, Michelle Bolon and Vidur Kapur — a Jew, an Indian, and a New Yorker—shit, this is going to be hilarious. Backstage pass holders will have a chance to meet the comic entertainers after the performance.

7pm, Jeanne Wagner Theatre, Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. Broadway. $30 Show/$15

Backstage Pass, slcwinterfest.com, arttix.org or 355-ARTS.

other gay thriller shorts even more gruesome than Hellbent will be shown.

 Dance, dance, dance ... or at least watch actual talent perform PALPATE, the current Repertory Dance Theatre production of dance and film, duets and solos with Pamela Geber and Eric Handman, as well as commissioned works by choreographers David Dorfman and Susan Marshall.

Midnight, Brewvies Cinema and Pub, 673 S. 200 West. Tickets $7 or $25 for a VIP pass. saltfest.org

7:30pm tonight and Saturday, Leona Wagner Black Box Theatre, Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. Broadway, Salt Lake City. $10–15, 355-ARTS or arttix.org.

 The Salt Lake Acting Company presents the astonishing Tony Award winner I AM MY OWN WIFE. The play is based on Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, the infamous German transvestite, celebrated antiques dealer, cultural hero, and accused Nazi spy. Sounds like my kind of woman (if I were into women ... and Nazis). Village Voice called this 40-character, one-man show “saucy, sagacious and entirely fascinating.” Only two nights left, so don’t miss it.

8pm tonight and Saturday, Chapel Theatre, 168 W. 500 North. Ticket prices vary, 355-ARTS or arttix.org.

 A special midnight showing of the film HELLBENT as part of the Salt Lake City Gay and Lesbian Film Festival will have you gripping your seat or the seat of the cutie next to you. On Saturday night, three

4SATURDAY If you like drawing the human body but the best you can do is a stick figure, then you won’t want to miss VSA Arts of Utah’s FIGURE DRAWING WORKSHOP. Artist Brian Kershisnik will teach the workshop.

Art Access Gallery. Call 808-6280 or 328-0703 for registration and details.

5SUNDAY The final day of SaltFest offers the highly acclaimed HBO miniseries ANGELS IN AMERICA on the big screen. Who wouldn’t want to see the winged Emma Thompson sharing an orgasmic moment with hottie Justin Kirk ... in giganticize? This is a free event as a gift to the community for its support of our first film festival.

Also look for the ‘Best of the Fest’ movies (to be announced), which will be reshown tonight.

11am, Brewvies, 667 S. 200 West. Free.

323-9500 or saltfest.org.

 SUPER BOWL XL (must be an extra big game this year). I have no idea which teams are playing, but I’m sure the butts will look promising. Several of our neighborhood bars are hosting Super Bowl parties. Get your promising butt off the couch and watch with friends.

11am doors, 12:30pm pre-game, 4pm game, MoDiggity’s*, 3424 S. State, Trapp* 106 S. 600 West, Club Try-Angles*, 251 W. 900 South

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6MONDAY CYBER SLUT BINGO at Club Try-Angles is developing a cult following and growing every week. It seems to be the place to take your straight coworkers.

7pm, Club Try-Angles, a private club for members, 251 W. 900 South.

7TUESDAY Cache Valley Center for the Arts and Ellen Eccles Theatre present DIAVOLO, a versatile

array of movement on larger-than-life monkey bars and hamster wheels.

Tonight and Wednesday, 7:30pm, Ellen Eccles Theatre, 43 S Main Street, Logan. Tickets $2030 @ 355-ARTS or arttix.org.

8WEDNESDAY For the political activists out there, Equality Utah hosts OUT FOR EQUALITY with special guest speakers Rep. David Litvack and SLC Council member Jill RemingtonLove. This may be a good time to get the real scoop behind the city council’s new “adult designee” benefits plan for city employees.

Baci Restaurant, Upstairs, 5-7pm. $5 at the door. Free for Equality Utah Members.

10FRIDAY

Winterfest 2006 winds down with a weekend full of special events. HOLLY NEAR performs her community-acclaimed music tonight and is the opening speaker at the Winterfest Conference tomorrow morning. As a 30-year political activist, Near has an informed and compassionate understanding of human dignity and equality, which emanates beautifully through her soulful music.

6pm-reception 7pm-concert, Rose Wagner Black Box Theatre, Rose Wagner Center, 138 W Broadway, Salt Lake City. Tickets $20 @ 355-ARTS or arttix.org

11SATURDAY WINTERFEST CONFERENCE addresses, in a measely eight hours, several issues facing the GLBT community and its families, friends and allies. Subject matter will range from spirituality to oppression to marriage. Guest speaker, Holly Near, activist, singer, teacher will open the event; and Matt Foreman, Executive Director of the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, Washington, D.C. will be the closing speaker. And yes, lunch will be provided.

7:30am-4pm, Sheraton City Centre Hotel, 150 W 500 S, Salt Lake City

 Put on your best sequined dress and slip into your highest stilettos, Trapp Door is hosting the RCGSE annual KING & QUEEN OF HEARTS. Who will be crowned queen?

Perhaps one whose name derives from a piece of Post-Civil War furniture.

7:30pm, The Trapp Door, 100 S 615 W, Salt Lake City, Tickets $6 at the door.

 Larry McMurtry’s (wrote the Brokeback Mountain screenplay) son, JAMES MCMURTRY and the Heartless Bastards are in concert tonight at Park City’s Suede.

The trio offers a slick variety of moods HELLBENT

See Friday, Feb. 3

from atmospheric ballads to no-holdsbarred rockers. A critically-acclaimed songwriter and emulous guitarist, James’s strong lyrical music is populated by world-weary souls often longing for something different. And all of it is backed by a number of instruments, such as the harmonica, organ, piano, and mandolin.

9pm, doors open at 8pm, Suede, 1612 High Ute Blvd., Park City. $13 advance/$15 day of show @ 467-TIXX or smithstix.com.

 If you like your men built like football players or better and with at least a smattering of hair, get your fur-loving ass over to BEAR LOVIN’ sponsored by the Utah Bear Alliance. A fundraiser to send Mr. Utah Bear to the international competition, they will be featuring a slave auction, raffle, dancing and more. Bring a teddy bear as a donation to a children’s charity and receive free raffle tickets.

10pm, Club Try-Angles, a private club for members, 251 W. 900 South.

12 SUNDAY WINTERFEST SUNDAY BRUNCH opens the final day of the first annual Winterfest.

Ruby Ridge and the sensational Utah Cyber Sluts host the buffet-style brunch with “Mischief, Mimosas & Muffins...Oh My!” “because, Darlings, nothing kick-starts your day like coffee, sexual confusion, and questionable glamour!” Afternoon Mimosas available for a $3 donation.

11am to 2pm, The Judge Cafe & Grill, 8 East Broadway, Salt Lake City. $15

13 MONDAY I have a friend who loves to take photographs, but is too chicken shit to really learn the craft. So when I learned that the Center is offering a month-long PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE, I just had to add it to the calender in hope of striking his interest in becoming a better photographer.

And maybe, just maybe ,other aspiring photographers will take the plunge. Must have your own camera and supplies.

7–8:30pm, Mondays thru March 13, GLBT Community Center of Utah, 361 N 300 W, Salt Lake City

14 TUESDAY Stay home and show your love for whomever in your life really needs it for VALENTINES DAY. Helpful hint for those morose couples: chocolate is an aphrodisiac.

Sundance Wrap-up

by Jere Keys These tears I’ve cried, I’ve cried 1000 oceans.

And if it seems I’m floating In the darkness, Well, I can’t believe that I would keep, Keep you from flying, And I would cry 1000 more if that’s What it takes to sail you home.

—“1000 Oceans” by Tori Amos

SUNDANCE WINNERS:

Documentary Grand Jury: GOD GREW TIRED OF US Dramatic Grand Jury: QUINCEAÑERA World Cinema Jury: Documentary: IN THE PIT World Cinema Jury: Dramatic: 13 TZAMETI Documentary Directing: IRAQ IN FRAGMENTS Dramatic Directing: A GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS Documentary Cinematography: IRAQ IN FRAGMENTS Dramatic Cinematography: RIGHT AT YOUR DOOR Documentary Editing Award: IRAQ IN FRAGMENTS Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: STEPHANIE DALEY Special Jury: Documentary: AMERICAN BLACKOUT Special Dramatic Jury for Best Ensemble Performance: A GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS Special Dramatic Jury for Independent Vision: IN BETWEEN DAYS World Cinema Special Jury: Documentary: INTO GREAT SILENCE / DEAR PYONGYANG World Cinema Special Jury: Dramatic: EVE & THE FIRE HORSE Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film: THE HOUSE OF SAND Audience Award: Documentary: GOD GREW TIRED OF US Audience Award: Dramatic: QUINCEAÑERA World Cinema Audience Award: Documentary DENADIE World Cinema Audience Award: Dramatic NO. 2 Jury in Short Filmmaking THE WRAITH OF COBBLE HILL / BUGCRUSH Jury in International Short Filmmaking THE NATURAL ROUTE Honorable Mentions for Short Filmmaking BEFORE DAWN / PREACHER WITH AN UNKNOWN GOD / UNDRESSING MY MOTHER

FEBRUARY 2, 2006 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 21

That song has been popping up quite a bit on my iPod over the last week at the Sundance Film Festival. Since I can credit our dear friend Eric Tierney for rekindling my interest in Tori Amos, it seemed an appropriate reminder that unlike last year, I would not be bumping into Eric at press screenings or at the Queer Lounge this year.

Since Eric never made it to Park City, I’ve taken it upon myself to provide a wrap-up report on the film festivals. Trying to gather my thoughts, though, I keep wondering what sort of unique observations would Eric have made?

For instance, would Eric have commented on the lack of “mainstream” films at the festivals this year? It seems that Sundance and the assorted other festivals are finding their way back to their independent roots.

This year’s films took great risks, like the largely silent and lengthy Into Great Silence, which focused on the lives of monks, or the retelling of the Christ story in modern South Africa set to indigenous musical styles in Son of Man. Oh sure, there were the big name flicks—Friends With Money starring Jennifer Aniston, Alpha Dog with Justin Timberlake and Lucky Number Slevin with Josh Hartnett—but even these felt less “Hollywood” than the film festival fare of recent years.

Would Eric have cringed at some of the horribly tasteless offerings as I did? Let’s just say that I’m not a fan of the shorts anthology Destricted, which sought to comment meaningfully on sex and porn but didn’t quite get there.

Among the queer-themed movies, my favorite was Quinceañera, which also took home the Grand Jury Prize for American Dramatic as well as the Audience Award. The story focuses on a 14-year-old Latina virgin who finds herself pregnant, her gay cousin, and her great-granduncle as they try to make sense of their changing neighborhood and culture. It’s exciting to see some quality queer-themed films being made about gay people of color. When this one comes out in theatres or on DVD, you’ll definitely want to check it out.

Perhaps Eric would have enjoyed my stories about how Rufus Wainwright was stalking me. I attended Rufus’ concert on Friday night and it was every bit as great as I’d hoped it would be. After the concert, though, everywhere I went through the rest of the weekend, Rufus and entourage would show up about 30 minutes later. Being the shy and bashful type, I sent him silent messages instead of striking up conversation (“Rufus, go ahead and ask me to be your babydaddy.”) I remembered how Eric was not so shy last year at the Festival, working his way into the VIP tent to socialize with the Scissor Sisters, Alan Cummings and John Cameron Mitchell. Fear not, Rufus-fans, I didn’t let you down. Finally, I plucked up the courage after a day or two of being stalked … I told him that he needs to do a Salt Lake concert soon, one that locals won’t have a difficult time getting into, because there are a whole lot of fanboys in the City by the Pestilent Sea. Sadly, I cannot say much about the Queer Lounge this year. On my periodic daytime visits, I could see that the space was lovely and larger than ever before. Many of the panel discussions were fascinating … I attended one panel with Armistead Maupin

in which I was convinced that more than ever before it’s time to lay to rest the myth that openly gay actors can’t be successful.

Sadly, though, I didn’t get to see much of the evening VIP parties, the Queer Lounge has gone almost completely to invite-only events at night. I’ll bet that Eric wouldn’t have let a little thing like required invitations get in his way.

For all the excitement and the hubbub, Park City felt a little emptier this year without Eric. I hope that Eric is in a place where he can watch all the films he wants and the snow never gets cold or turns to slush, the drinks are always top-quality, and he never has to stand in line.

Now Playing ANNAPOLIS Jake Huard (James Franco) is a welder in a shipyard, dreaming of his chance to go to Annapolis and become a naval officer. But once at the school, he struggles to keep up with his classmates, both in military training and academics. His commanding officer (Tyrese Gibson) singles him out for punishment, and his father offers no encouragement. Only by excelling at boxing does Huard find the inner strength to keep going. Unfortunately, audiences looking for vibrant characters and a meaningful, emotionally resonant story will find very little of either of those here. This is a dull, lifeless exercise from start to finish, heavy on plot mechanics and featuring dialogue and performances so stiff they’re almost almost completely lacking in humanity. The result is a gutted, soulless take on An Officer and a Gentleman.

Grade: D | Kinsey Scale: 1 (Franco played bisexual James Dean in a TV movie. Co-star Jordana Brewster appeared in the lesbian-themed D.E.B.S.)

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

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Broadway Center Theatre, Century 16, Tinseltown 17 (Layton), Ritz 15 (West Valley City), Cinemark 16 (Provo), Cinemark 24 (Jordan Landing), Redstone 8 (Park City), Century 16 (Sandy), Westates Theatres (Logan), Westates Theatres (St. George), Edwards Grand Teton Stadium 14 (Pocatello ID) Cowboys Ennis (Heath Ledger) and Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal) fall into a passionate affair on Wyoming’s Brokeback Mountain in 1963, retreating back into straight lives at summer’s end. Finding that wives and children are no substitute for the soul mate they found in one another, they reunite in stolen moments over two decades, intent on recapturing the joy of that magical summer. Director Ang Lee has fashioned from Annie Proulx’s intimate short story a poignant and visually stunning epic romance limning a love that somehow survives despite the rigid social convention and internalized homophobia that threaten to smother it. Ledger and Gyllenhaal share a truly combustible chemistry, but it is Ledger’s heartbreaking performance as taciturn, repressed Ennis that transforms this drama from merely good to something great.

Grade: A | Kinsey Scale: 6 (Even before this highly touted film hit theaters, conservative organs such as the Drudge Report have been busy trying to deny the existence of gay cowboys, despite the fact that members of Calgary Gay Rodeo Association served as technical advisers and appear in the film’s rodeo scenes. Lee’s breakthrough film in the United States was the queerthemed The Wedding Banquet, while co-star Michelle Williams made her name on the queer-friendly Dawson’s Creek and appeared in the lesbian comedy But I’m a Cheerleader.)

CASANOVA Legendary Venetian lover Giacomo Casanova (Heath Ledger) must marry before a papal inquisition catches up with him and hangs him for fornication. No sooner has he proposed to besotted Victoria (Natalie Dormer) than he falls for sassy feminist Francesca Bruni (Sienna Miller), who is herself engaged to Papprizzio (Oliver Platt), the lard king of Genoa.

Lasse Hallstrom’s fluffy romantic comedy is a hoot, a fractured fairytale that piles on false identities, outright lies, and mistaken assumptions.

Ledger is a bit young to be playing such a storied figure, but makes up for what he lacks in gravity with immense charm. The entire cast attacks their roles with palpable enthusiasm as Hallstrom offers a vision of 18th-century Venice as a sun-kissed paradise of romance and subversion.

Grade: B | Kinsey Scale: 1 (Ledger’s role as a closeted, taciturn ranch hand in Brokeback Mountain has made him a favorite in the upcoming Oscar race. Co-star Jeremy Irons played a gay impresario in Forever Callas and starred in the gender-bending drama M. Butterfly. Screenwriter Jeffrey Hatcher wrote Stage Beauty.)

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA Four siblings discover a passage to the magical kingdom of Narnia tucked in the back of a closet. Perpetual winter grips the land ruled by the cruel White Witch (Tilda Swinton), but the children’s visit, coupled with lion king Aslan’s return, holds promise that spring might now arrive. Special effects and hard-charging action scenes trump storytelling in this heavy-handed adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ classic allegory. Swinton is perfect as the ice-hearted enchantress, a shining jewel in a movie that is otherwise mired in mediocrity. The book makes an awkward transformation to screen, providing many unintentional laughs along the way.

Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, for example, may be charming on the page, but rendered as talking animated animals on film, they are simply ridiculous.

Grade: C | Kinsey Scale: 1 (Swinton was a close collaborator of the late queer director Derek Jarman and has appeared in many gay-themed films. Co-star Jim Broadbent appeared in The Crying Game , while animal characters are voiced by out actor Rupert Everett and Kinsey star Liam Neeson.)

END OF THE SPEAR Missionary Nate Saint (Chad Allen) goes to South America to work with, evangelize, and tame the violent Waodani tribe. They’re a fervently warring bunch, and for his efforts he is killed. Years later, his son Steve (also played by Allen) returns to the tribe in an effort to reconcile his father’s death. This classic “turn the other cheek” tale is a true story, one soaking in the kind of good intentions so typical of unwanted missionaries.

It’s also beautifully photographed and meant to be a cinematic vehicle for peacemaking. But the film still gets bogged down in messy ulterior religious motives, no matter how hard it tries to stay out of the saintly mire.

Grade: C+ | Kinsey Scale: 1 (Allen is openly gay.)

FUN WITH DICK AND JANE In this remake of the 1977 George Segal/Jane Fonda comedy, Dick (Jim Carrey) is a wealthy executive at Globodyne Corporation who loses his job when the CEO (Alec Baldwin) quits, taking 400 million dollars with him and bankrupting the company.

Dick and his wife, Jane (Tea Leoni), quickly spend their savings and take up robbery as a way to pay the bills.

But anyone who’s expecting piercing socioeconomic critique is advised to look away from the lame pile-up of unfunny gags and unfocused satire.

This Bonnie and Clyde are only separated from Dick’s corrupt former boss by the means they use to accomplish the job. Their crimes aren’t about sticking it to The Man, but about making sure they remain pampered, mindlessly consuming suburbanites with a reliable housekeeper. Rooting

(There are typical hetero frat boy comments about such-and-such thing being “gay,” and there is a gay character who plays a part in the unfolding horror. To say more would constitute a “spoiler.”)

for them is as pointless as Carrey’s irritating face-making and pratfalls.

Grade: D | Kinsey Scale: 1 (In one brief scene, Leoni and Carrey cross-dress as Sonny and Cher. In his early career, Carrey played gay characters in sketches on In Living Color , and was in the gay-themed TV movie Doing Time on Maple Drive. Leoni had a small part in the mildly lesbian-flavored A League of Their Own.)

GLORY ROAD Hired to coach the basketball squad at El Paso’s Texas Western, Don Haskins (Josh Lucas) aggressively recruits African-American players. The new policy scandalizes the alumni, but the Cinderella team goes all the way to the 1966 NCAA finals, where Haskins breaks precedent by fielding an all-black team in the championship game. With this fact-based, inspirational drama, first-time director James Gartner and his winning cast capture both the excitement of the game and the gradual bonding of the players into a cohesive unit. It is an admirable effort about a watershed moment in the history of the game, but this latest entry into the increasingly crowded sports genre offers nothing new.

Pleasant and occasionally thrilling, it is also completely unexceptional and thoroughly predictable.

Grade: B- | Kinsey Scale: 1 (Lucas played a gay character in The Deep End. Co-star Mehcad Brooks is part of the ensemble on the queer-friendly Desperate Housewives , and co-star Jon Voight’s breakthrough role was in the gay-themed drama Midnight Cowboy.)

HOODWINKED Little Red Riding Hood (the voice of Anne Hathaway) goes to Granny’s (Glenn Close) with her traditional basket of goodies, and crosses paths with the Wolf (Patrick Warburton) and the Woodsman (Jim Belushi), but the similarities to the story everyone knows end there. What follows in this wanna-be hip, Shrek-impersonating effort is a he-said, she-said, Wolf-said, Granny-said table-turning on the old fairy tale. Too bad it’s glib, unfunny, and annoying instead of witty, clever, and endearing. Worse, the animation is shoddy and soulless, exactly the opposite of the sterling work of the Pixar crew. Small children may not notice the difference, but their adult chaperones will wish they’d never taken this walk in the woods.

Grade: C- | Kinsey Scale: 1 (Close played a lesbian in Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story, and Hathaway co-starred in Brokeback Mountain. Queer co-star Andy Dick voices a bunny named Boingo.)

HOSTEL Paxton (Jay Hernandez) and Josh (Derek Richardson) are two “ugly American” students backpacking through Europe with two goals in mind: getting sex and getting high.

While in Amsterdam, they meet a young man who tells them the real action is in an anything-goes youth hostel in Slovakia. But what they find there is a kind of party more gruesome than what they’d bargained for. To tell more about the plot would be to spoil the truly sickening twists that await the viewer of this oddly funny, well-made bit of shock cinema.

Just be warned that you might want to come prepared with a cast-iron stomach. It’s a throat-grabbing horror film, one full of brutal torture and gut-wrenching violence. Whether you enjoy this movie depends on your own tolerance for gore.

Grade: B | Kinsey Scale: 2

IMAGINE ME AND YOU When Rachel (Piper Perabo) meets Luce (Lena Headey), it’s love at first sight. It is also Rachel’s wedding day to Heck (Matthew Goode). As the newlyweds begin their lives together, Rachel and Luce’s feelings for one another grow despite their best efforts to dampen the flame. While the end is never in doubt in this lightly erotic romantic drama, it also offers a novel spin on the genre. Not merely a love story or tale of sexual awakening, the movie also muses on the nature of a promise, as Rachel weighs her wedding vows against her desire for Luce.

The blandly handsome Heck barely registers next to vibrant, sensual Luce, but Rachel is not really deciding between them so much as between duty and personal happiness.

Grade: B | Kinsey Scale: 6 (Writer-director Ol Parker offers an optimistic view of a world with little homophobia, and even that melts in the recognition of true love. Co-star Eva Birthistle appeared in the queer-themed Breakfast on Pluto and Borstal Boy.)

KING KONG Movie director Carl Denham (Jack Black) travels to a remote South Seas island on location to finish the picture he’s making. There he and his crew discover a giant gorilla, in addition to some murderous natives and carnivorous dinosaurs. The big, hairy beast takes a liking to Denham’s lead actress, Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts), and Denham takes a liking to the idea of selling tickets to see the enormous simian he names “Kong,” the consequences only unknown to the youngest viewers of this thoroughly entertaining remake. The three-hour running time may seem off-putting at first, but Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson packs every minute with momentum and, once on the island, fantastic digitally enhanced adventure. The amazing animated creatures will keep you riveted, and the sad-eyed, love-struck Kong will break your heart.

Grade: A- | Kinsey Scale: 1 (Naomi Watts starred as a bisexual actress in Mulholland Drive.)

LAST HOLIDAY After being told she only has weeks to live, New Orleans clerk Georgia Byrd (Queen Latifah) chucks her job and heads for Europe. At a lavish Czech resort, she charms celebrity chef Didier (Gerard Depardieu) and Louisiana Senator Dillings (Giancarlo Esposito), but arouses the suspicion of crooked retail magnate Matthew Kragen (Timothy Hutton), who finds her too good to be true. It’s easy to see what Didier, Dillings, and hometown

honey Sean (LL Cool J) see in Georgia — as embodied by Latifah, she is disarmingly frank and gloriously sensual. She is adorable in this benign screwball comedy where an attractive cast, a gorgeous alpine setting, and the unintended poignancy of a pre-Katrina Big Easy compensate for a tissue-thin story and jokes that fall flat.

Grade: B | Kinsey Scale: 1 (There is one mild lesbian joke. Latifah played a lesbian in Set It Off and earned an Oscar nod for her role in Chicago.

Among her co-stars, many have queer credits, including Depardieu, Esposito, Hutton, Michael Nouri, and Alicia Witt.)

MATCH POINT The future looks bright for ex-tennis pro Chris Wilton (Jonathan RhysMeyers) after his wealthy new friend Tom Hewett’s (Matthew Goode) sister Chloe (Emily Mortimer) falls in love with him. Chris is looking forward to sharing her comfortable life, but sexual obsession threatens to unravel his plans after he falls under the spell of Tom’s seductive fiancee Nola (Scarlett Johansson).

That quintessential New Yorker Woody Allen relocates to London for this unusual thriller. With little humor and no character on hand to embody Allen’s neurotic persona, it is a Woody Allen film unlike any other. The emphasis is on psychology, and the plot often threatens to unravel. But Chris is a fascinating piece of work, and his actions are consistently enthralling in Allen’s best film in years.

Grade: B+ | Kinsey Scale: 1 (Rhys-Meyers’ has appeared in several gay-themed films, and his breakthrough role was as a bisexual rock star in queer director Todd Haynes’ Velvet Goldmine.

Co-star Brian Cox had roles in the AIDS drama The Lost Language of Cranes and the queer coming-of-age drama L.I.E..)

NANNY MCPHEE Wart-covered Nanny McPhee (Emma Thompson) mysteriously arrives at the door of a widower (Colin Firth) and his seven horribly behaved children. The kids in question regularly conspire to break the will of any nanny their father hires. But McPhee is different — she speaks softly and carries a big stick, the kind that magically brings a logical conclusion to any naughty child’s actions. And over time, as the children learn lessons about common decency, Nanny McPhee’s physical ugliness disappears as well.

But will they be able to save their father from a doomed marriage to a wicked stepmother? The answer is simple enough to figure out, but it’s the getting there that’s the fun in this delightfully off-kilter children’s film that grown-ups will enjoy, too.

1400 Foothill Dr. / 582-8424 HOURS: MO-TH 11:30-2, 5-9:30PM F 11:30AM-2PM, 5-10PM SA NOON-10PM, SU 5-9PM CUISINE: THAI PRICE: $ CARDS: TC AE D MC V

Rated “Best Thai” 1992–2005 by local and national press.

Café Med

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

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.

When Captain John Smith (Colin Farrell) and his band of English outcast adventurers landed on what became the United States, they had no idea how to live there. So they suffered. It was only through contact with local Native Americans that they were able to survive. The Native Americans’ reward was, of course, animosity and abuse. But that was only part of the story. The other part was a swooning romance between Smith and Pocahontas (15-year-old newcomer Q’orianka Kilcher), one that would eventually see the young woman enduring her own culture shock as a stranger in England. This is a gorgeous, meditative trip back to the 17th century, thanks to moodand-tone-and-cinematographyobsessed director Terrence Malick.

It may lack the kind of plot-driven mechanics most people demand when they watch a historical drama, but it’s got plenty to reward the patient, mature viewer.

Grade: A | Kinsey Scale: 1 (Farrell played a bisexual character in A Home at the End of the World and starred in the de-gayed Alexander. Costar Christian Bale played gay in Velvet Goldmine.)

TRISTAN & ISOLDE During the Dark Ages, while warring tribes in Britain threaten to destroy each other, Tristan (James Franco) and Isolde (Sophia Myles) fall in love.

The problem? They’re from opposing sides of the conflict. And when Isolde is given in marriage to Lord Marke (Rufus Sewell), a man who also happens to be Tristan’s adoptive father, the young lovers embark on a secret romance that leads to disaster. It’s epic tragedy, but the true tragedy is the film’s inability to be anything less than tedious. The action sequences lack impact, the romance is dour, and the leads don’t ignite the grand passions necessary to carry it off; Tristan is especially inert, stoic, and wooden.

To call this misfire an also-ran Romeo and Juliet is to insult Shakespeare.

Grade: D | Kinsey Scale: 1 (Franco played bisexual James Dean in a TV movie. Sewell co-starred in the gaythemed film A Man of No Importance, as well as in the John Schlesinger-directed Cold Comfort Farm.)

(Openly gay British actor Sir Derek Jacobi plays one of Firth’s co-workers in a manner that can best be de-

Fiddler’s Elbow 1063 E. 2100 S. / 463-9393

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

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

Michelangelo Ristorante

2156 S, HIGHLAND DR./ 466-0961 Persian, Greek, Italian, Turkish michelangeloristorante.com and Vegetarian in a warm, relaxHOURS: TU-SA 11:30AM-1:30PM ing atmosphere.

Coffee Garden

THE NEW WORLD

Grade: A- | Kinsey Scale: 2

Dining Guide Bangkok Thai

scribed as “queenly.” He also played Francis Bacon in the gay-themed Love Is the Devil, and Alan Turing in Breaking the Code. Thompson, Firth, and co-star Imelda Staunton all have gay-themed credits.)

5:45-9PM CUISINE: ITALIAN PRICE: $$ CARDS: AE D MC V

Begun by childhood friends Paulo Celeste and Marco Gabrielli of Tuscany.

Nick-N-Willy’s Pizza

Sage’s Cafe

nicknwillyspizza.com

sagescafe.com

4538 S, HIGHLAND DR./ 273-8282 SU-TH 11AM-10PM F-SA 11AM-12PM CUISINE: PIZZA PRICE: $ CARDS: AE D MC V HOURS:

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

Orbit Cafe

540 W. 200 S. / 322-3808 orbitslc.com HOURS: SU-TH 11AM-10PM F-SA 11AM-3AM CUISINE: AMERICAN ECLECTIC PRICE: $ CARDS: TC AE D MC V

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

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

saltlakepizzaandpasta.com

M-SA 11AM-11PM SU 11AM-10PM CUISINE: ITALIAN PRICE: $ CARDS: TC AE D MC V HOURS:

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

470 E. 300 S. / 322-3790 M-F 11:30AM-2:30PM, M-TH 5-9:30PM FRI 5-10PM SAT 9AM-10PM SUN 9AM-9PM CUISINE: VEGETARIAN/ORGANIC PRICE: $ CARDS: TC AE D MC V HOURS:

Committed to providing the freshest, healthiest cuisine possible, without compromising.

The Original

1751 S 1100 EAST / 483-2971 HOURS: M-SA 11AM–7PM CUISINE: SANDWICHES PRICE: $ CARDS: TC AE D DC MC V

Now scoopin’ Spotted Dog Creamery Ice Cream.

TC–TRAVELERS CHECKS, AE–AMERICAN EXPRESS, D–DISCOVER, DC–DINER’S CLUB, MC–MASTERCARD, V–VISA ¢=0-$10, $=$11-$20, $$=$21-30, $$$=31-40.

Advertise in the Dining Guide.

Call 323-9500 today!

Bookmarks MY LUCKY STAR

by Joe Keenan. Little, Brown, 352 pages, $24.95 hardcover.

Hosanna: novelist Keenan hasn’t lost his comic touch in the too-manyyears since Blue Heaven (1988) and Putting on the Ritz (1991) split many a queer reader’s side. With a decade’s experience working on the TV hit Frasier to draw from, Keenan relocates his hapless trio of heroes from New York to Hollywood, all the better to skewer the film world’s egos, ignorance, and homophobia. The gist: unctuous Gilbert Selwyn has passed off a barely doctored Casablanca script as something original co-written with his former lover, nice-guy Philip Cavanaugh; level-headed Claire Simmons, Philip’s long-suffering gal pal, is suckered into the scheme. Mix in: an aging has-been actress, her better-preserved movie star sister, and a deeply closeted male action-movie megastar who’s soon toying with Philip’s affections. Add: heinous Moira Finch, Gilbert’s malicious ex, and her high-class spa — in truth, a brothel where Hollywood’s shy homos can hook up with young hunks. The result: page after page after page of masterfully hilarious — and elegantly written — prose. What a succulent treat: this is a laugh-out-loud literary masterpiece.

WOMEN OF MYSTERY ed. by Katharine V. Forrest. Alice Street Editions, 260 pages, $19.95 paper.

Ask an acclaimed mistress of lesbian mysteries to put together an anthology of short stories, and the result is a perfect book to cozy up with on a winter’s night. The 14 stories assembled by the author of the popular Kate Delafield series range nicely over the genre’s many sub-genres (though, mercifully, while cats crop up in a couple of the stories, none of them are detectives). Joan M. Drury’s “The ‘Sound’ of Music” is a brisk exercise in amateur sleuthing. Ouida Crozier’s “Murder on Chuckanut Drive” features a hardboiled, wisecracking lesbian detective. Randye Lordon’s “Like a Sore Thumb” is a creepy crime whydunit about matricidal murder.

J.M. Redmann’s “The Intersection of Camp and St. Mary” is a witty missing-sister story — with a mystery writer solving the mystery.

Karla Jay’s “Speeding Cars” is a somber reflection on madness, sadness, and betrayal — less a mystery than a psychological thriller. And Forrest’s own story, “A Leopard’s Spot,” is a classic whodunit, with smart false starts and a nimble tying-up of loose ends.

Case closed: Women of Mystery is a winning collection of original fiction.

SPEEDING: THE OLD RELIABLE PHOTOS OF DAVID HURLES Text and design by Rex. Green Candy Press, 152 pages, $36.95 hardcover.

richard@slmetro.com

in the more colorful niches of our queer past — it’s a rewarding historical work.

THE MAN WHO WOULD MARRY SUSAN SONTAG, AND OTHER INTIMATE PORTRAITS OF THE BOHEMIAN ERA

by Edward Field. University of Wisconsin Press, 296 pages, $29.95 hardcover.

Live in one place for 60 years, and anecdotes are bound to accrue. Longtime Greenwich Village resident Field shares scores of them in this unassuming but spirited collection of character sketches and short essays, which opens with the then-22-year-old landing in New York after World War II and longing for the bohemian life.

He was gay, cute, and talented — attributes about which he is, alas, overly modest — and his entree into bohemia was assured. In one of the book’s more personal sections, he writes with affection about his affair with poet Frank O’Hara. But his focus is more on the artists with whom his life intersected. They included novelist Isabel Miller (Patience & Sarah), poet May Swenson, writers Paul and Jane Bowles, poet and dandy Ralph Pomeroy, reclusive novelist Fritz Peters (Finistere), and, most prominently, the eccentric, brilliant, baldheaded, and emotionally troubled critic and novelist Alfred Chester — the man who wanted to marry Susan Sontag. Field’s charming mix of memoir and memories opens a charming, gossipy window on a bygone literary era.

by Bright and Cooper as well: “It’s gross for a person with extreme non-trans privilege — a properly gendered, apparently heterosexual woman — to actually profit...by appropriating the scary realities most transpeople have to live with every day.”

TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL: THE MAKING OF A MOVIE STAR

By Tab Hunter with Eddie Muller. Algonquin Books, 378 pages, $24.95 hardcover

More than once in the course of this otherwise illuminating and often amusing autobiography, erstwhile movie hunk Hunter plays coy with his queerness (a word not likely to ever pass his lips: he has a hard time with “gay”). Not one to out his Hollywood peers, he drops hints about his compulsive (homo)sexuality, but names few noteworthy conquests: an intimacy with early ’50s ice skater Ronnie Robertson, a fragile romance with Psycho’s Anthony Perkins, an affairette with dancer Rudolf Nuryev.

But Hunter (or, all credit due, co-author Muller) writes about his scant 10 years or so as a teen idol through the 1950s and early 1960s — and about the years that followed as a knockabout roadshow and dinner-theater performer — with a joyous effervescence and a lack of preening ego that is truly engaging.

And, for a homosexual of a certain age who hasn’t much truck with queer pride, he’s generously effusive about his last “leading lady” — that would be Divine

— with whom he appeared in John Waters’ Polyester and Paul Bartel’s Lust in the Dust.

FEATURED EXCERPT: Finding out who I was, sexually, was one thing. “Admitting” it was something else entirely, since any evidence would have destroyed my livelihood (or so I thought).

Accepting that I was wired differently was no cause for celebration, believe me. We all have our various urges and desires and shouldn’t be made to feel ashamed of them.

Being “proud” of your homosexuality, however, was a concept still years away. Not that I’d “ever” feel that way. To me, it’s like saying you’re “proud” to be hetero. Why do you need to wear a badge? You simply are what you are.

—from “Tab Hunter Confidential,” by Tab Hunter, with Eddie Muller

FEATURED EXCERPT: It used to be such fun to badmouth Susan Sontag for her intellectual pretensions, for her sense of entitlement, for her ambitions — for instance, saying bitchily that she wouldn’t come out as gay because she was bucking for the Nobel Prize in Literature. But even before her death in 2005, I began to admire her when, after 9/11, she spoke out so courageously, writing in the New Yorker that we should try to understand what our enemies were about, and got attacked for it, as if understanding were the same thing as condoning.

DISCUSSION & SIGNING

TAB HUNTER Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star

—from The Man Who Would Marry Susan Sontag, by Edward Field

FOOTNOTES: The first shoe in JT LeRoy’s outing dropped last fall, when early doubter Stephen Beachy asserted in New York magazine that the wunderkind writer (Sarah, The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things) was a hoax. The second shoe dropped Jan. 9, when the New York Times revealed that “the public role of JT Leroy is played by Savannah Knoop, Geoffrey Knoop’s half sister, who is in her mid-20s,” and that the books championed so giddily by authorial celebrities — Mary Gaitskill, Bruce Benderson, Michelle Tea, Dennis Cooper, and Susie Bright among them — were written by Knoop’s middle-aged wife, Laura Albert. For Bright, the revelation prompted introspection: “JT never forced me to help him; I wanted to,” she wrote on her blog. “He pushed my rescue buttons, which are large and soft.” Cooper echoed her reaction: “I have a pretty much lifelong interest in helping young people, particularly when they’re artists,” he wrote. “So the JT character triggered that in me big time, what with his kaleidoscopic neediness and talent.” Their take mirrored that of Ayelet Waldman (wife of novelist Michael Chabon), writing in Salon: “Whoever he was, he seemed so genuinely in need...

It feels good to think of myself as someone so generous with my time that I was willing to devote hours of it to a fucked-up near stranger,” she wrote. Tea, however, is angry that LeRoy was being passed off as a transgender success story — sentiments expressed less vividly

Saturday, February 25, 7:00 PM

Borders - Murray 132 E. Winchester • 801.313.1020 Co-sponsored by Salt Lake Metro

FEBRUARY 2, 2006 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 23

Rough trade, tough dudes, scary attitude, and crude tattoos: for four decades, gay guys seeking an underclass kind of sexual titillation could always rely on Old Reliable.

Over the years, the one-man L.A.-based porn factory produced hundreds of wrestling, boxing, and jack-off 8-mm films and videos, and more than 25,000 photos. Now, San Francisco homoerotic artist Rex has culled the massive OR archives to assemble this mesmerizing collection of images of street hustlers with muscles and dicks to spare. In the brief, brisk history winding through the sexually in-yourface images, Rex ably makes the case that the artifice-free photos of OR’s single-minded mastermind, Hurles, transcend mere porn and stand, quite gloriously, as artful erotic artifacts. That validation of Hurles’ oeuvre is well-deserved. Speeding is at the very least — for some tastes — a turn-on photo-book.

But even more — for anyone with an interest

by Richard Labonte

Service Guide ADVERTISING

EMPLOYMENT

SALT LAKE METRO is your way to reach Utah’s gay and lesbian market. Gay people eat out more often and travel more often and spend more each time they do. Call 323-9500 to place your classified or display ad today.

Ask about our new classified rates!

APPLE ONE Employment is seeking qualified people in many skills.

Apply and begin your qualification today. Employers, let us fill your staffing needs. Call Steven Whittaker at 801463-4828.

LITTLE LAVENDER BOOK is about to go to press with the WinterSpring 2006 issue. Call 323-0727 today.

ATTORNEYS MARLIN G. CRIDDLE, P.C. Serving Utah’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender communities. Estate Planning, Probate, Criminal Law, Bankruptcy, Corporations/Business. 4742299. marlincriddle.com

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

MEINEKE CAR Care Center. 2190 W. 3500 S. WVC 973-0860 EOE. Best service, Best price. 10% discount with this ad! Exhaust, brakes, a/c, CV joints, oil changes, shocks, etc.

ESTATE PLANNING

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JEWELERS

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TRAVEL/TOURS HIGH COUNTRY Exploring • Custom Pack Trips • Horseback Rides • Snowmobile Trips • ATV Rides • Fishing Trips • Dutch Oven Dinners • Motorcycle Tours • More Call 801-547-2750.

BISEXUAL

POLITICAL

SPORTS

AMERICAN CIVIL Liberties Union. Fighting for individual freedoms since 1958.

UTAH GAY Rodeo Association. PO Box 511255 SLC, UT 84151 ugra.net

CODE PINK, a women-initiated peace, social justice movement.

QUEER UTAH Aquatic Club invites swimmers and water polo players of ANY skill level.

EMPLOYEE CONVERGYS EMPLOYEES Would you like to meet your GLBT co-workers? groups.yahoo.com/group/cvg-glbt

FOOD/WINE GAY WINETASTINGS. qVinum is a fabulous group of wine lovers. qVinum.com

24

■

SALT LAKE METRO ■ FEBRUARY 2, 2006

FRATERNAL ROYAL COURT of the Golden Spike Empire. Support your community!

codepinkalert.com

SAME-GENDER MARRIAGE is a Feminist Issue: NOW’s mission is to promote equality for ALL women. utahnow.org

RELIGIOUS GAY RMS Social group for return missionaries of the LDS Church. Regular parties and group activities. gayRMs.com

HEALTH

AFFIRMATION: GAY and Lesbian Mormons. Sunday meetings 534-8693

PEOPLE WITH AIDS Coalition of Utah 484-2205

RESOURCES

rcgse.org

www.pwacu.org

UTAH AIDS Foundation.

Helping with the complex issues of HIV/AIDS. utahaids.org

MEN’S SOCIAL UTAH MALE NATURISTS Naked lunches, outings and camping trips in a sex-free environment. umen.org

members.aol.com/wasatchweb

UTAH QUEER Events. Submit group events and see what’s happening in your community.

QuacQuac.org.

UTAH STONEWALL Shooting Sports. Gender- and sexual-minority firearm advocates in Utah. stonewallshootingsportsutah.org

TRANSGENDER ENGENDERED SPECIES A social/support group resources for transgender people. 320-0551.

WOMEN’S SOCIAL SINGLE LESBIAN? Meet other single lesbians for friendship and social events groups.yahoo.com/

groups.yahoo.com/group/ utahqueerevents

group/lesbian_singles/

JOIN SLMETRO Yahoo group for breaking news and free or reduced arts and event tickets. groups.

NEW IN TOWN? Interested in meeting new friends?

Join sWerve. swerveu-

yahoo.com/slmetro

BITTER GIRL by Joan Hilty

STIMULATE YOUR SENSES or feel deep peace with a relaxing full body massage. Call Therron at 879-3583 for $5 off mention this ad. LMT #5608006

BI MEN of Utah. Social and support group for bi/gay men of Utah.

acluutah.org

A COUPLE OF GUYS by Dave Brousseau

LIC#6018477-4702

Community Resources groups.yahoo.com/group/BiGay-Men-Utah

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Q Puzzle “Adopt Instead” ACROSS

1 State, to Renee Vivien 5 Orgasm, e.g.

10 Show Boat rank 14 Like sex for one 15 Sample some buns, e.g.

16 Trojan Horse, e.g.

17 With 31-Across, result of too much 47-Across 19 Theocritus creation 20 The No. 1 to Christopher Street 21 Rent unit (abbr.)

22 Flick them 23 Celeste of All About Eve 25 Gay-friendly Detroit org.

27 Dickinson’s howe’er 28 Cockeyed 31 See 17-Across 34 Where Boy Scouts sleep together 35 Liquid in your head (abbr.)

36 Sondheim’s _ ___ the Woods_ 37 Famed Bruin’s nickname 38 Drop ___ (flirt, perhaps) 40 It comes before date?

43 Soon, to Shakespeare 45 Law for Lorca 46 Rock Hudson role, usually 47 It can result in birth 50 Drag queen ___ Lettuce 51 Paul Newman role in Exodus 52 Castro to Mission District

dir.

53 Those, to Gomer 55 Skipper’s staff 57 Senatorial seat holders, e.g.

59 Exams on sexual technique?

62 Lucci’s Erica in All My Children 63 With 31-Across, orgasm?

66 Cigar butt 67 Get up 68 Stats from A League of Their Own 69 Sound like Harvey Fierstein 70 Nathan and family 71 Comic-juggler Felder

DOWN

1 Gaydar, for example 2 Screwdriver, e.g.

3 Food for one with a master 4 Get to second base, with a guy?

5 Stonewall 6 Robertson, who accused lesbians of witchcraft 7 Bangkok continent 8 Plug 9 Homophobia, e.g.

10 Bed with bars 11 Tried to play with Michael Stipe?

12 1960 movie of

Anthony Perkins 13 Charles ___ Reilly 18 Country north of Thailand 24 Sexy clothing material 26 Came out on top 28 Went down on 29 Arenas’ month 30 Where to find rectal thermometers?

32 Dossier about Uranus?

33 Partners that are tired of

each other?

35 Like First or Second Peter 39 New York gay magazine 41 Abe Lincoln’s boy 42 Child-care writer LeShan 44 Stuff from your shaft 47 Computer user that does circumcisions?

48 Periodical boners 49 Frida Kahlo’s woman 50 Greek queen of heaven

54 Targets for Patty Sheehan 56 Make an emotional discharge 58 Word with top, for Mauresmo 60 Old coin of Michelangelo’s country 61 Emulate an eagle or a falcon 64 Milk, so to speak 65 Top-secret org.

True Story: Living with Hepatitis Continued from page 7

for jeopardizing my relationship, guilty for putting my lover and my friends at risk and, most of all, stupid for getting the disease at all. Then I found out it could get worse.

Ninety percent of HIV-negative people who get hep B feel really sick for a few weeks or months, then recover and develop immunity to it. But ten percent don’t. They continue to have the disease, and, often, it ultimately destroys their liver and them along with it.

People with HIV are even more likely to get chronic hep B — 90 percent of cases become chronic. Six months into my hep B, which never resulted in my being jaundiced or feeling particularly sick (I felt like crap for a couple of months, but I never missed work because of it), my new doctor said I still had it, which meant I was officially part of that ten percent.

I had “chronic” hepatitis B. I got the speech from the doc about the likelihood that I would die from liver cancer or cirrhosis of the liver, etc. Now I felt really terrible.

BANGKOK THAI 1400 FOOTHILL DRIVE •SLC • 582-8424

Utah’s Best Seafood —Citysearch 2005

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FEBRUARY 2, 2006 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 25

WHY DIDN’T I GET VACCINATED?!

I still ask myself that question today, but walking out of my doctor’s office that day, it‘s all I could think about. I remember the group session in 1985 when my therapist announced there was now a vaccination for hep B and we should all get it. Sure, it cost a lot ($100!), but it was well worth it, he said.

“Whatever,” I thought at the time. “I’m a straight A student, and I’m not into sex like so many of these freaks in my group. It won’t happen to me. I’m always healthy.” As AIDS became a larger part of everyone’s lives, and my sex life developed, I practiced the “almost always” school of safe sex and felt untouchable by other STDs because of it. Whoops.

A year or so after my doctor gave me the “chronic” news, he told me about a new, revolutionary treatment for hep B, the first ever. Interferon offered 50/50 odds at curing it. He warned me about its flu-like-symptom side effects and about the real hitch: I would have to inject it into myself every day! And for two years I did just that. The flu-likesymptoms only lasted the first few days.

There were also some weird side effects like occasionally an eyelash would grow to be 12 inches long, and I never got any colds. But self-injection was the biggest downer. Plus I had to keep the medicine refrigerated which meant traveling was a real hassle. I remember my lover buying frozen peas at a market in Greece to keep my medicine cold. And the time the customs agent at the airport freaked out about two weeks of dirty needles in my bag (you can’t just toss them out in your hotel room trash can).

After two years, the disease was still with me, so my doctor took me off of the Interferon. The first few days after I felt like I had drunk 15 cups of coffee. And at my next haircut, my barber pointed out the quarter inch of hair growing along my hairline. I was just happy to not have bruises on my stomach and my thighs, the places I had used for injecting.

A few years after I stopped the Interferon, a new drug, Lamivudine (3TC), was approved for chronic hep B. I’ve been on that now a couple of years, and while it has greatly reduced the destructive enzyme activity in my liver and taken me one step closer to being cured, it still hasn’t done the trick.

Neither of these treatments stopped me from trying other options. I eat as healthily as I can, and I take lots of vitamins, especially vitamin C. To take as much burden as possible off of my liver, I don’t drink any alcohol (parties become very boring when you’re the only one not drinking), I never do drugs, and I keep away from coffee. Additionally, I try to sweat out as many toxins as possible by doing lots of aerobic exercise and spending time in the steam room or sauna at the gym.

Speaking of the steam room, hep B has

greatly altered my sex life. Nothing turns people off faster than saying, “I have a potentially fatal disease you can catch if you stick your X, Y or Z in my A, B or C.” Even worse, most people don’t know what hep is, so you have to interrupt the passion of the moment with a Public Health 101 lecture. And most potential sex partners aren’t thrilled to hear that getting hep B is much easier than getting HIV. The hardest part is deciding when to tell them. Sex is about crossing boundaries by letting go, which makes it difficult to maintain enough control to prevent something unsafe from happening.

But I have to. There is a psychological component with any sexual situation — or any health situation for that matter. You have to approach your health and your sexuality knowing who you want to be: are you going to be passively controlled by it, or are you going to take charge and be better for it. For me taking charge means being honest with all sexual partners, even if it scares them away.

It’s a hassle negotiating the sex, and it’s inconvenient not drinking, but the one, true terror is knowing that no matter how much you work out, no matter how good your tan looks, no matter how much money you’re making, there is still a deadly disease eating away inside of you. Granted, it’s not HIV. And though I curse getting hep B, it was a wakeup call for me to take responsibility for my health and my sexual activity; my remaining HIV negative owes a lot to my experience with hep B. Bottom line: anyone reading this article should get vaccinated for hep B (and hep A for that matter; there is a new vaccine which works for both hep A and hep B called TwinRX). No matter how insulated you feel from hepatitis, it can get you, especially if you are sexually active (even with the same partner).

The Centers for Disease Control recommends all children get vaccinated which shows how general the risk of infection is. If I could trade all of the hassle, the expense, the physical and emotional pain and the time wasted on hep B for a couple of trips to the doctor to get vaccinate, I would gladly do it.

Classifieds HELP WANTED

26

■

SALT LAKE METRO ■ FEBRUARY 2, 2006

SL METRO DELIVERY DRIVERS needed.

Great part time work for students and others. 2 routes available: Downtown and South Salt Lake. Must have valid license, clean record, and dependable. Please call Steven @ 323-9500.

ARE YOU a competent mental health professional looking for fulfilling work in the SLC area? Pried Counseling is searching for the right therapist to join our team. Please have a demonstrated understanding of issues impacting Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender clients. We offer a nice location, flexible hours and reasonable pay.

Please fax resume and letter of intent to (801)595-0669 or email jerry.buie@comcast.net

IMMEDIATE NEED for advertising sales people.

Ground level opportunity.

Flexible hours. Call Michael Aaron 350-9500.

FOR RENT ROSE PARK Nice 2 bedroom. $475/month including utilities. Washer/dryer, storage, quiet area. 861 N American Beauty Drive (approx.

1000 West). Call Valene @ 262-0113 or 6998098. CDA Properties.

AVENUES (M STREET) Cute 1 bedroom. $585/ month. Secure bldg, storage, central air, dishwasher, and w/d. Call Valene @ 262-0113 or 699-8098. CDA Properties.

718 S 1100 E Spacious 2 bdrm with dining room & extra room off bdrm.

Must see to appreciate, recently remodeled.

All utls paid, free cable, lndry rm, off street parking & garage. No smokers or pets. Call John: 363-3976.

HOLLADAY CONDO 1 Bdrm. $495/mth. Carport, swimming pool, central air. Gas paid. Aix la Chapelle, 2220 E Murray-Holladay Rd. Call Valene @ 262-0113. CDA Properties.

SUGARHOUSE CONDO. Newly renovated 2BR 2BA 1600/sq.ft. at Colonial Pines. Central Air. Underground Parking. $1,000/month call Frank at 520-7982.

ROOMMATES WANTED

PRIVATE BEDROOM, shared bathroom, highspeed internet. 15 mins from downtown. $290 per month, includes all utilities. Call James @ 867-2543.

TOWNHOME MASTER suite available with bath + walk-in closet. Near River Oaks golf course, easy freeway access, beautiful park-like setting, deck, central air. $450/month + utils. Call 815-7854.

FOR SALE MISC. ANTIQUES Sewing machines, poster beds, etc. Call Walter 537-7827

MISC.

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. Most insurance companies billed, sliding fee scale.

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

QUEER TV. Comcast not giving you what you need? Sign up for DireTV through this gay-owned and operated business and a $20 donation will be made to a gay charity.

UtahSat.com

QPUZZLE ANSWERS

ARE YOU HIV+?

Pride Counseling has restarted a Therapy/Support Group for men who are HIV infected and seeking support from others in similar situations. For information please call Jerry Buie LCSW at 5950666

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FEBRUARY 2, 2006 ■ SALT LAKE METRO ■ 27

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IT’S FREE TO BE A MEMBER! It’s free to...

Receive and reply to e-mail from other members, Signal other members you’re interested, Browse the vast TangoWire worldwide network.

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Residences at Central Pointe is an equal opportunity community, and is a registered trademark of Cascade Development, LLC. Coldwell Banker logo is a licensed trademark of Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation. Models do not reflect racial preference. Pricing, terms and availability subject to change prior to sale. Rendering is artist interpretation. Map not to scale.

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Sign up for DirecTV through this gay-owned and operated business and a $20 donation will be made to a gay charity.

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