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CharlieBullets don’t build democracy — not in Utah,
not anywhere
BY MICHAEL AARON
Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University, just thirty minutes from my home.
Let me be clear: I do not grieve his death. Kirk spent his career attacking LGBTQ+ people, mocking empathy, and defending violence as “freedom.” He told a gay student, “I don’t agree with your lifestyle.” He called queer people an “abomination” and “a throbbing middle finger to God.” He cited Leviticus as “God’s perfect law,” calling for death for homosexuality. He smeared transgender people as mentally ill, mocked them as the equivalent of “Blackface,” calling it “woman face,” and claimed trans women were men acting out a fetish. He said Pride flags should be burned. He celebrated cruelty as if it were a virtue.
Those words had consequences. They hurt kids. They fueled discrimination. They made LGBTQ+ people less safe. Kirk built his brand on demeaning others and defending the very culture of violence that ultimately took his life.
I don’t mourn him, though I do feel sadness for his children, who are now fatherless through no fault of their own. They are innocent. They did not choose his hate. I feel sadness that those in the crowd will have the image of his murder engraved into their brain, for the first responders
who ran into chaos rather than from it, for the leaders of UVU who will be blamed.
Some people are celebrating his death. I understand the impulse. I felt the impulse. For those of us who’ve lived under his contempt, who’ve been told their very existence is sinful, his assassination feels like karmic justice. But here’s the truth: bullets don’t deliver justice. They don’t build democracy. They don’t bring safety. They just create more blood, more fear, more broken families. What I condemn is the hypocrisy of leaders who pick and choose whose lives matter. When Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were assassinated, Senator Mike Lee posted jokes about the suspect. When Paul Pelosi’s skull was fractured in his own home, Donald Trump mocked him. But now, those same leaders demand solemn outrage when violence strikes their side. Their selective empathy is part of the sickness eating this country alive.
So no, I don’t grieve Charlie Kirk. I grieve the world that produces men like him. I grieve that his children lost a father. I grieve that violence has become our national language.
I refuse to accept that this is the only way.
Because bullets don’t build democracy. Hard work to build bridges does. Q
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You’re 65 or older.
Prostate cancer runs in your family.
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These may be caused by conditions other than prostate cancer, so talk to your doctor if you have symptoms.
Prostate cancer is a disease in which cells in the prostate grow out of control. The prostate is a part of the male reproductive system and produces fluid that is a part of semen.
Should You Get Screened?
About 13 in every 100 U.S. men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime—and 2 to 3 out of every 100 will die from prostate cancer.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a group of medical experts, recommends that men 55 to 69 years old make individual decisions about prostate cancer screening. Talk to your doctor about your risk and how you feel about the benefits and harms of screening.
For more information visit CDC’s Prostate Cancer website: www.cdc.gov/prostate-cancer
The top
national and
world
news
since
last issue you should know
BY CRAIG OGAN
A SCOTUS stall for bathroom ban
In a 6 to 3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court continued a stay on the South Carolina 2024 state budget rider denying funds to SC school districts that allow transgender students access to restrooms consistent with their declared identity. The justices did not overrule the lower court’s block on South Carolina’s bathroom ban law. There is a case working its way to SCOTUS. The state wanted to enforce the regulation while the case moved forward, but SCOTUS said, “No.” The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Richmond, Virginia, blocked the law on precedent that bathroom bans targeting transgender students violate both Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause. SCOTUS has sidestepped similar bathroom controversies before. The plaintiff will graduate from high school before this issue is decided.
RIP: Michael Seltzer, HIV fundraising pioneer
MICHAEL SELTZER was one of the people in the early 1980s who professionalized fundraising for HIV services. He died at age 78 in Connecticut. In the early 80s, HIV was raging through the gay community. Services
were few, and fundraising for them was haphazard. Seltzer got involved and took the case to foundations, corporations, and the media. He served on many boards and helped create organizations to increase philanthropy towards HIV and gay causes. He was cochair of Lambda Legal’s board of directors during the 1980s. “In a time when most LGBTQ+ philanthropy professionals were in the closet, Michael was out and proud,” Lambda Legal CEO KEVIN JENNINGS said. “In the 80s and 90s, mainstream philanthropy simply did not prioritize LGBTQ+ people or those living with HIV, and Michael wouldn’t accept that.”
Even WeHo goes half-staff
In the emotional aftermath of the assassination of a political provocateur in Utah, the current president ordered flags to fly at half-staff. This honor is usually accorded to mark the death of a valued public servant or an event of national note. Some jurisdictions have refused to lower flags because the honoree was a partisan political commentator. The gay mecca of West Hollywood has complied by lowering some flags at City Hall. City officials lowered the Progress Pride flag and transgender flag to half-staff. Those flags represent groups that the assassinated provocateur regularly criticized. City officials proclaimed, “The City’s action should not be interpreted as an expression of alignment with, or endorsement of political views or actions. Rather, the action was undertaken in accordance with the direction of the President in determining when flags in the City are flown at half-staff.”
Odd Couple
Virginia’s 2025 statewide race features a striking contrast in party tickets. Republicans have an odd couple: WINSOME EARLE-SEARS , the state’s Black lieutenant governor, is running for governor, while JOHN REID, a white, gay conservative radio host, seeks the lieutenant governorship. Earle-Sears began her political career in 2004, opposing LGBT rights, including samesex adoption and hate crime protections. Though she’s since softened her stance on marriage equality, she maintains ties with conservative Christian groups that support excluding LGBT students from private religious schools. She’s also faced criticism for misgendering transgender state officials. Reid, meanwhile, drew attention for explicit dating app content and profile statements. His partner serves on Virginia’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board.
The Democratic ticket is running a historic, all-female ticket with shared progressive values. ABIGAIL SPANBERGER , a sitting congresswoman and former CIA officer, is the gubernatorial nominee. GHAZALA HASHMI , an India-born state senator and longtime educator, is running for lieutenant governor. Both emphasize education, healthcare, and civil rights. Early polling shows the Democratic ticket leading the GOP duo in the 2026 bellwether race to succeed outgoing Republican Governor GLENN YOUNGKIN .
Conversion therapy back in court
A licensed professional counselor sued Colorado over its ban on gay and lesbian conversion therapy for minors, arguing the law violates First Amendment
rights to free speech and religious exercise. Both the Colorado Supreme Court and the Tenth Circuit upheld the ban. The conservative Alliance Defending Freedom convinced the U.S. Supreme Court to hear Chiles v. Salazar in October 2025. Ironically, the arguments giving states some power over therapies made in U.S. v. Skrmetti, which okayed Tennessee’s ban on transgender medical therapies for minors, may provide a rationale to leave gay conversion therapies in place in Colorado. That case sets a precedent for how courts may interpret laws that reference sex or gender identity — especially in cases involving youth, healthcare, or state authority. Twenty-nine U. S. states or territories and 100 municipalities currently ban gay and lesbian conversion therapy.
Florida crosswalks at crossroads
A battle over Pride crosswalks is intensifying in Florida. Following a directive from the U. S. Transportation Secretary urging governors to remove rainbow crosswalks, Florida became the first to comply, painting over Orlando’s Pulse memorial’s rainbow stripes. The site honors 49 LGBT lives lost in the 2016 massacre. LGBT activists restored the colors with chalk and paint, only for road crews to erase them again. The state has since deployed police to guard the crosswalk, citing “safety concerns.” Some other Florida cities are resisting the state’s dictum. Miami Beach officials vowed to protect a Pride crosswalk made of colored bricks, and new chalk murals appeared in Ybor City. One resident noted, “Rainbow crosswalks don’t kill children. But unlit bus stops do.”
Gays in federal government
The New York Times ran a lengthy — some say scathing — profile of seven gay men in the current presidential administration. Typically, Republicans make headlines for being caught in flagrante delicto in a tea room or posing shirtless on a magazine cover. But these seven are affluent, conservative, and firmly embedded in the president’s inner circle. The article also sketches a MAGA-friendly A-list gay culture thriving in Washington, D.C. Those profiled argue that the battle for gay rights is essentially won, and that no Republican has ever been as friendly to “the gays” as the current president. The most prominent names include: PETER THIEL , billionaire tech investor; CHARLES MORAN , GOP strategist and former Log Cabin Republicans president;
TONY FABRIZIO, veteran pollster; TRENT MORSE , White House personnel deputy; RICHARD GRENELL , foreign policy hand and first openly gay Cabinet-level official; JACOB HELBERG , investor and tech policy advisor. Most powerful of all is SCOTT BESSENT, Secretary of the Treasury — arguably the most influential figure in government after the president. The seven face sharp criticism from gay media. The Advocate recently called them “a grotesque display of hypocrisy, delusion, and self-importance.”
They’re not part of D.C.’s legacy gay establishment — mostly Democrats — who’ve sashayed through the corridors of power for decades. That group has a quaint but venomous term for them: “Quislings.” But as Liberace once told TV host Jack Paar, after winning a libel suit, they “cry all the way to the bank.”
Leaving the USA
Two more gay and lesbian celebrities are joining ROSIE O’DONNELL , ELLEN DEGENERES, and Ellen’s spouse, PORTIA DE ROSSI, in leaving the USA. The three left after the 2024 presidential election when someone they didn’t like was elected. Rosie moved to Ireland. DeGeneres and de Rossi established residency in the Cotswolds in England while on an extended vacation after the election. Now, MONICA HELMS, the creator of the transgender pride flag, is leaving the U.S. due to the changes in the treatment of transgender people since the election. She and her wife haven’t said where they are going, but launched a GoFundMe to fund their move away from the state of Georgia. Olympic gold medalist GREG LOUGANIS announced his move to Panama. He is not moving for political reasons; his finances have taken
a dive due to bad investments. He has had to sell his Olympic medals and his California home to fund the move.
Charlie Sheen
Seeking to boost clicks for a Netflix documentary and boost his just-published autobiography, Charlie Sheen opens up about his past relationships with men. He describes the experience as “liberating,” but uses the age-old excuse that drug use sparked his sexual experimentation. Sheen discusses addiction, HIV diagnosis, and years of extortion attempts. He says, “I flipped the menu over… I’m not going to run from my past.” Now eight years sober, Sheen shares his story uncensored, embracing both the chaos and clarity of his journey. “Some of it was weird. A lot of it was fun. Life goes on.” Some critics have responded with “TMI.”
Ultra-right media points fingers at Armed Queers of SLC, Ermiya Fanaeian for connection to Kirk shooting
BY MICHAEL AARON
Four days after the murder of Turning Point USA’s Charlie Kirk at an event in Utah, the ultra-right-leaning New York Post published a story that the FBI was investigating Utah activist Ermiya Fanaeian and her group, Armed Queers of Salt Lake City.
“The feds have widened their investigation into the assassination of Charlie Kirk to probe whether pro-trans, online groups and others connected with Tyler Robinson knew in advance about the plan to kill the MAGA influencer, The Post has learned,” citing unnamed “law enforcement sources.” The FBI and State Department have declined comment from many more reliable news sources, yet those outlets continue to spread the information, citing the New York Post story. MAGA social media posters are also spreading the unsubstantiated story.
Fanaeian is an activist and organizer whose work has spanned gun violence prevention, LGBTQ+ rights, and broader social justice causes. She first came to public attention as a high school student, co-founding the Utah chapter of March for Our Lives in the wake of the Parkland shooting. Her early efforts focused on mobilizing young people and raising awareness of gun violence as a public health issue.
In 2020, Fanaeian formed the Salt Lake City chapter of Pink Pistols, a national LGBTQ gun owners group. She organized firearms training and safety instruction for LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly trans women, framing self-defense as a necessary response to persistent violence and a lack of institutional protection. In 2021, Fanaeian and Pink Pistols parted ways, and Fanaeian established Armed Queers of Salt Lake City, which broadened her activism to include not only firearms education but also political education, mutual aid, and community defense initiatives. Alongside her organizational work, she has conducted academic research, including a 2025 University of Utah study on perceptions of campus
policing and its impact on gender-oppressed people. She has also been active in advocacy against conversion therapy, for abortion access, and in support of trans youth within the education system.
Fanaeian interviewed with QSalt-
Thank you for agreeing to do this interview. How did you first hear about these claims, and what went through your mind when you did? I first encountered these slanderous attacks against myself and my comrades when people started sending me articles and social media posts from right-wing sources. I knew they would try to paint a narrative that trans individuals and leftist organizers were to blame. But what shocked me was how far they went with the lies, and how eager they were to portray us as a threat. It was painfully obvious that the truth wasn’t their priority — only fueling a campaign of hysteria.
Why do you think your name and your group are being brought into this situation? They’re trying to portray oppressed people as armed, dangerous, and responsible for the political violence plaguing the very roots of this country — a narrative they’ve been pushing for decades. As a Middle Eastern woman, a trans person, and someone who stands firmly against white supremacy, capitalism, and patriarchy, I’m a prime target for their agenda. They couldn’t have chosen a better face for their intensified repression campaign than me and my comrades. Armed Queers has described its mission as one of self-defense and mutual aid. How do you want people to understand that work, especially when outside voices are painting a different picture? It’s important to know that we stand for the dignity of all working-class and oppressed people in this country and abroad. Being able to practice the funda-
Lake publisher and editor Michael Aaron in response to the allegations.
mental right of self-defense, a right that is granted by the laws of this country, and build resistance movements that fight for our principles, is something we take great pride in. It is obvious that the fascist forces in this country believe that who should be able to defend themselves is entirely conditional, but we understand our duty in building power among the people, and recognize that we play as important agents in shaping history. There’s no amount of defamation and fabricated images painted of us by the media that can make us give up on people’s struggles. Do you have any connection at all to the person who carried out the shooting, or insight into why people are trying to link you to it? No. Not at all. They are looking for a convenient target to blame, and I must be their newest poster child of the movements they yearn to suppress. The shooter is a white man, with plenty of evidence that his politics were diametrically opposed to ours. One minute, they claimed he was trans, and the next, they claimed the bullets were trans, and now they are claiming every trans person within the same state as the shooter is responsible. The goal is emotional exploitation, to organize people against anyone who challenges their reactionary politics, and paint them as an enemy. The good news is people are smarter than that and see right through it.
A lot of LGBTQ+ people are worried about the power of misinformation right now. How do you think these stories affect queer safety in Utah? Propaganda against us, as queer, trans, and oppressed people, is certainly on the rise as it has been for decades in this country. They are absolutely invested in the project of making us out to be the enemies. But it’s important to remember that our safety comes from our resistance. What do you want to say to queer Utahns who may be feeling more targeted or
unsafe because of all this attention? We cannot let them put us back into the closet. Now is the time to learn about the history of how our movements have struggled against such attacks in the past, and stay optimistic about our ability to win. They can never take away our dignity and trans power. Beyond the current situation, what do you see as the larger issues at play when it comes to queer self-defense, government surveillance, and being scapegoated in political moments? It is crucial to recognize that the targeted scapegoating of trans people, the intensified surveillance of leftist organizers, the genocide being funded in Palestine, and the abduction of our immigrant neighbors off the streets — these are all hallmarks of the morally bankrupt country that America has always been. Let’s not forget how they responded when queer folks
were dying from AIDS, or the fact that nations they claim are our enemies, like Cuba, are making strides in advancing LGBTQ rights as we speak. For many, this moment represents the first time they’ve seen the mask of American exceptionalism slip, and it’s understandably unsettling. But it’s vital that we do not allow ourselves to remain paralyzed by fear. We must believe in our collective strength, our power to fight for our rights, and a better world.
Looking forward, what gives you hope about continuing the work of Armed Queers in this climate, and what does accountability and truth-telling look like for you? It gives me hope that so many people we speak to in our organizing work are, in fact, in agreement with the vision we have for the world. Everybody we speak to, from labor unions to families to houseless people, and virtually anybody in our community right now either understands or is beginning to understand our fight for working and oppressed people. They want us to believe we are a fringe minority, but the truth is our principles are the global majority. Telling our people about this reality, and remembering it, is vital. Q
SunTrapp boosts security after Kirk shooting
An LGBTQ+ bar in Salt Lake City has stepped up its security following the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a speech at Utah Valley University in Orem, about 30 miles south of the city.
The SunTrapp announced on its Facebook page hours after the September 10 shooting that it would “escalate [its] security presence and increase onsite security,” including hiring a specialized armed security team. The post also noted that Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and the Salt Lake City Police Department had been contacted about the bar’s concerns.
Owner Mary Peterson told Ed Walsh at the Bay Area Reporter that the bar had received calls from nervous patrons after Kirk’s death. In response, she said, she added three extra security staff members on weekends and one additional guard during the week.
The following day, the bar sought to dispel rumors circulating online. “We want to address a false rumor circulating that SunTrapp has received death threats since yesterday’s events at UVU,” the bar posted on September 11. “This is untrue, and there is no immediate cause for concern. Our team is operating safely and securely as usual. All scheduled programs
and events will continue as planned.”
Other LGBTQ spaces in the city responded with varying levels of caution. Kaitlyn Mahoney, owner of the queer-focused bookstore Under the Umbrella, said she had not received threats but worried the shooting could ripple through the community. She said her response has focused on additional staff training rather than added security.
Club Try-Angles has made it a policy since the Colorado Springs shooting in November 2022 to not allow backpacks ito the building.
Milk+ Nightclub has had metal detectors at the entrance since it was opened.
Salt Lake City has a reputation as one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in the Mountain West. The city elected Jackie Biskupski, Utah’s first openly gay mayor, in 2015. Today, the city council has an LGBTQ majority, and the city earned a score of 96 out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2024 Municipal Equality Index.
Mayor Mendenhall, a vocal LGBTQ ally, condemned the violence on social media shortly after the shooting. “The horrific act of violence against Charlie Kirk at UVU this
afternoon is abhorrent and un-American. There is no place for political violence in our society,” she wrote.
Authorities say Tyler Robinson, 22, surrendered to police after his father encouraged him to turn himself in. Kirk, 31, was shot while addressing an outdoor audience during his “American Comeback Tour” stop at UVU.
Kirk was widely known for his opposition to LGBTQ+ and, especially, transgender rights. His organization, Turning Point USA, organized rallies against gender-affirming care, and in 2024, he compared doctors providing that care to Nazi perpetrators, according to Reuters. He frequently described transgender rights as “against natural law” and “a middle finger to God,” as captured in a 2023 speech posted by Right Wing Watch.
Earlier this year, Kirk appeared as the first guest on California Governor Gavin Newsom’s podcast, where the two agreed on limiting transgender women’s participation in women’s sports.
The shooting has left LGBTQ businesses and community members weighing both safety concerns and the importance of keeping queer spaces open. As Peterson put it, security at SunTrapp has been heightened, but “all programs and events will continue as planned.”
Utah Pride Center addresses safety concerns
The Utah Pride Center is reassuring community members of its safety protocols after concerns were raised about in-person gatherings, particularly for the Gay Men’s Peer Support Group.
In an email to group organizers, executive director Chad Call acknowledged that the “current climate has been unsettling” and said it was understandable that some people may feel hesitant to attend meetings. He emphasized that safety has been a top priority for the Center over the past two weeks.
“For those who choose to attend, the Center continues to have two locked entry points to access our space, first the lobby door and then the elevator, as you know,” Call wrote. “SLCPD’s police chief was here last week, and felt like our insulation from public access was really protective, and with a police precinct just around the corner from our building, their response time to an emergency is incredibly quick.”
Call added that the Salt Lake City Police Department has been monitoring the building’s street-facing side and has not recommended closing the center.
The Utah Pride Center, which provides resources, programming, and support for LGBTQ+ Utahns, has faced questions from community members about whether to pause in-person activities in light of increased safety concerns. Call said the Center will remain open while encouraging individuals to make the choice that feels safest for them.
“We feel strongly at this time that the Center should remain open in challenging times like this, when safe, to ensure our community has a place to gather and find unity with one another,” he wrote.
The Gay Men’s Peer Support Group is one of many peer-led programs hosted at the Pride Center, which offers social connection, support, and resources to LGBTQ+ people across Utah.
Utah LGBTQ+ Chamber postpones Summit & Expo following Kirk shooting
The Utah LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce has postponed its annual Economic Summit & Expo, citing safety concerns in the wake of heightened tensions following the murder of ultra-conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The event, originally scheduled for Thursday, was set to bring together LGBTQ+ business leaders, entrepreneurs, and allies for networking and workshops. But in a letter to presenters and exhibitors, Chamber President and CEO Liz Pitts said the chamber’s “priority is the safety, well-being, and unity of LGBTQ+ Utahns.”
“Given the heightened emotions, public discourse, and security concerns, the Chamber has made the decision to postpone tomorrow’s Economic
care for our members and partners.”
The Chamber stressed that the summit will be rescheduled at a later date, with all presenters, exhibitors, and sponsors carried forward. Attendees will have the option to request refunds for registration and tabling fees.
The postponement comes as organizations across Utah respond to the political and social fallout surrounding Kirk’s killing, which occurred during a speech at Utah Valley University last week. The incident, which quickly spread online through graphic video clips, has deepened divisions and raised questions about security at large-scale public gatherings.
Pitts emphasized that the Chamber remains committed to advancing economic opportunity, equity, and visibility for
Our Family, Our Community, Our City
Like you, my husband and I are building our life in Salt Lake City. We want a city that is safe, sustainable, and full of opportunity for every resident.
As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, I am committed to being a strong advocate for your voice on the City Council.
From supporting our first responders to creating a more affordable city, I am ready to work for a community where everyone can thrive.
Find your place in our campaign at www.jakeseastrand.com
Encircle opens new home in Ogden to support LGBTQ+ youth and families
With a weekend of celebration and ribbon cuttings, Encircle officially opened its newest LGBTQ+ youth and family support center in Ogden, Utah. The brownstone-style home at 2458 Washington Blvd. becomes the nonprofit’s fifth “home” in Utah, and its first built from the ground up.
Encircle, founded in 2017, provides safe, affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ youth ages 12–25 and their families. The new Ogden home offers programs ranging from casual after-school drop-ins to peer-led friendship circles, art and music nights, and family dinners. Licensed therapists are also available on-site, with scholarships offered to help youth access mental health care.
“This is an LGBTQ youth and family resource center,” said Callie Birdsall-Chambers, Encircle spokesperson. “These are safe spaces that look like home and feel like home for those LGBTQ individuals that may not have that otherwise, but also for families to come and find connection with people they may not have otherwise.”
The building, which broke ground in 2021, replaces an empty grass lot with a three-story facility featuring green space, a plaza, and a large kitchen donated by IKEA. Unlike Encircle’s earlier homes, which were renovated Victorian houses, the Ogden site was designed and constructed specifically for the nonprofit. Nilson Homes completed the project after covering final construction costs. The Young Caring For Our Young Foundation, based in Weber County, also secured naming rights for the home.
“This is our first from-the-ground-up build,” Birdsall-Chambers said. “It used to be this big hill of grass, but now it’s this big, beautiful home here in Ogden.”
Encircle’s mission is rooted in research showing that supportive environments significantly reduce suicide risk among LGBTQ+ youth. Ana Chavarri, the group’s associate vice president of programs, shared the story of one teen who came to Encircle after being bullied out of school and experiencing suicidal thoughts.
“At first, their parent had to drag them to the center,” Chavarri said. “They went from hanging back to joining activities to challenging their peers at chess. They found community. They were safe again.” That young person is now a leader in the home — and remains undefeated at chess.
Encircle Ogden Program Director Elise Villaroman, who previously worked at the group’s Heber City location, said she is eager to see the new space foster the same kind of transformation.
“I have a real passion for working with young people,” Villaroman said. “As a queer individual myself, I can understand the difficulties that sometimes come with being LGBTQ+. So my message to the community is: come and see this space, see what we do, and see how you feel when you come in. We’re just excited to welcome everyone and build a great community here.”
“I began my career in residential treatment, where I discovered a passion for supporting youth — especially LGBTQ+ young people. That passion led me to Encircle, where I’ve worked for the past three years and had the privilege of opening the Heber City location. There, I developed a deep appreciation for community building,” Villaroman said in a statement. “I’m currently pursuing a Business Management degree at Western Governors University. Outside of work and school, I enjoy sports, music, reality TV, board games, puzzles, being an aunt, and spending time with my three-legged cat, Karma.ription.”
Ryan Sanders, Encircle Ogden’s program coordinator, attended programming at the Encircle Salt Lake home and immediately fell in love.
“When I moved to Ogden and saw the home going up there, I knew that’s where I wanted to direct my life. All I want is to make the world a more kind and understanding place and with Encircle I can do exactly that,” Sanders said in a statement. “I’m a communications major at Weber State with a passion for philosophy and collaboration. I’m a hippy and a writer and a yogi and a climber. I love building connections — connections with other people, with nature, with the universe, and within myself to learn about life and all of it. I like cats more than dogs, but my heart belongs to the creepy crawlies. My special skill? Handstands.”
Saturday’s festivities included remarks from Encircle CEO Alex Cutini, former board chair Mike Ostermiller, Ogden Mayor Ben Nadolski, Ogden Pride President Sean Childers-Gray, and local partners who helped bring the project to completion. Two ribbon cuttings marked
the official launch, and doors opened to the public on Monday, September 8.
The opening comes at a time when northern Utah organizations are weaving a broader network of LGBTQ+ support. Ogden Pride is developing a mobile library featuring LGBTQ+ and often-banned books. A new Weber-Davis chapter of PFLAG, the only one in Utah, now hosts monthly meetings for families and allies. The College Pride Alliance, launched after state law eliminated identity-based student centers on campuses, serves LGBTQ+ students in higher education.
Encircle hopes to serve as a hub for this network. Chavarri said the nonprofit is recruiting Spanish-speaking volunteers and plans to host outside organizations in its new space. “We need other community partners here in Ogden to help us build that safety net,” she said.
Birdsall-Chambers emphasized that Encircle homes are meant to counter the negative messages queer youth too often hear. “It seems like often, everywhere these youth turn, they’re finding walls,” she said. “Whether it’s at home, at school, or at church. They need to know there are spaces like this that are worth investing in. These spaces are full of love.”
Encircle Ogden is now open for dropin hours, therapy appointments, and community programming. For more information on services, tours, or volunteer opportunities, visit ENCIRCLETOGETHER.ORG/ENCIRCLE-OGDEN. Q
Micheal Repp, formerly of SunTrapp and Club Verse, dies at 51
Micheal Repp, former manager and owner of two Salt Lake City LGBTQ+ bars, died Saturday, September 6, at his home. He was 51. His husband, Riley Richter, was at his side.
Repp was best known for his work at The Sun Trapp, one of the city’s longest-running gay bars, and later as co-owner of Club Verse.
The Sun Trapp, formerly the Trapp and renamed in 1991, became a mainstay of queer nightlife and a hub of community activity. In 2022, ownership disputes led to a shutdown and court battles.
therapy and radiation at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
The GoFundMe campaign launched by friend Emily Walker described how the couple’s savings had been depleted, possessions sold, and professional lives put on hold while they struggled to manage household costs alongside medical expenses. The still-active campaign has raised nearly $3,700 from more than 50 donors.
The following year, Repp and Richter opened Club Verse on State Street, which drew large crowds and quickly established itself as a gathering place. Programming included drag shows, holiday meals, and events of solidarity such as vigils following the Colorado Springs nightclub shooting.
Club Verse closed in November 2024, less than two years after its debut. The closure came after Richter suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in August of that year, leaving him with a serious brain injury. The couple relocated to Colorado to seek treatment at a specialized brain injury clinic, and financial challenges compounded the strain of Richter’s medical recovery.
In May 2025, Repp was diagnosed with Stage III squamous cell carcinoma. He began an aggressive treatment plan that included chemo-
On the afternoon before he died, Repp posted, “After another night at Huntsman Cancer Institute here in SLC, I find myself reflecting deeply. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for my incredible partner, our amazing family, and the close friends who continue to stand by us. This journey is far from over — but I will keep moving forward, not just for myself and Riley, but as an advocate for anyone walking the difficult path of cancer. I’ve been blessed with a phenomenal care team — people who continue to open doors, offer knowledge, and make space for hope through trial treatments and relentless dedication. There’s still so much ahead, but I remain grounded in love, purpose, and a deep sense of gratitude.”
The GoFundMe campaign at gofundme.com/f/ RileyMicheal will continue and will go toward funeral expenses and continued support for Richter as he navigates this next chapter. Q
Closet crumbles for bakery founder
BY CRAIG OGAN
Sawyer Hemsley, founder and Chief Branding Officer of Crumbl Cookies, publicly came out as gay, following online speculation about his sexuality. In his post, Hemsley shared that accepting his identity had been a long, emotional journey, shaped by the values he grew up with in Southeastern Idaho. He expressed gratitude for the peace and authenticity he’s found, writing, “It has brought me peace, joy, and authenticity that I wouldn’t trade for anything. “Hemsley’s background includes serving as student body president at Preston (Idaho) High School and later at Utah State University, followed by a mission in Mexico for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 2017, he co-founded Crumbl Cookies, opening the first store in Logan, Utah. Unlike some other LDS entertainment figures who have exploited their coming out for career purposes, Helsley’s gayness was revealed by two TikTok “vloggers,” of whom one has apologized for the outing. Hemsley concluded his post by thanking those who support him and emphasizing the importance of living authentically, hoping that kindness and empathy will guide public response. Disappointingly, he did not say, “That’s the way the cookie crumbles.” Q
‘Rising Tides’: Equality Utah’s Allies Gala with Tig Notaro at Eccles Theater
One of Utah’s most anticipated nights of celebration, fashion, and advocacy returns this fall as Equality Utah hosts its annual Allies Gala on Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Eccles Theater.
The event, often dubbed “Utah’s Met Gala,” blends entertainment with a powerful message of inclusion. This year’s theme, Rising Tides, invites attendees to embrace an “Ocean Odyssey” dress code — anything from
shimmering mermaid couture to classic evening wear in shades of blue. Equality Utah says the theme symbolizes unity in turbulent times.
“We are bold explorers on a stormy sea, facing fierce currents and towering waves, but together, we’re ferocious — lifting each other toward calmer waters and brighter horizons,” the organization said in announcing the event.
The gala will be headlined by comedian Tig Notaro,
whose sharp, understated humor has made her a favorite on stage and screen. Notaro has been nominated for Emmy, Grammy, Writers Guild of America, and Screen Actors Guild awards, and was named one of Rolling Stone’s 50 Best Stand-Up Comics of All Time. Her credits include HBO’s Boyish Girl Interrupted, Netflix’s Happy to Be Here, and the Prime Video special Hello Again. She has also appeared in Star Trek: Discovery and Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead
Hosting the evening will be Eli McCann, The Salt Lake Tribune humor columnist and Equality Utah board member. McCann described the event as a place where community connections flourish: “We want Latter-day Saints and drag queens getting to know each other and becoming friends.”
The Allies Gala serves a dual purpose — it’s both a night of glamour and a key fundraiser for Equality Utah, the state’s largest LGBTQ advocacy organization. Proceeds support the group’s lobbying efforts at the
Utah State Capitol, leadership development programs, and initiatives designed to build inclusive spaces statewide.
“Every ticket fuels Equality Utah’s work at the Capitol, trains future leaders, and builds spaces of belonging across our state,” said Troy Williams, the organization’s executive director.
Over the years, the Allies Gala has attracted national entertainers and high-profile Utahns alike. Past headliners have included Broadway stars, musicians, and comedians, with previous themes ranging from vintage Hollywood to futuristic fantasy. But organizers say the heart of the event remains unchanged: celebrating allies who advance equality while raising the funds that keep that mission moving forward.
Tickets for the 2025 gala start at $69 and are available at EQUALITYUTAH.ORG. The evening begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by the program at 8 p.m. The event is open to mature audiences only. Q
Utah Pride to transform the Masonic Temple for the HalloQueen Ball
The Utah Pride Center is reviving its popular Halloween fundraiser this fall, with a new twist: The HalloQueen Ball. Scheduled for FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31 , the event will transform the historic SALT LAKE MASONIC TEMPLE into a multi-level celebration of queer creativity, costumes, and community support.
The centerpiece of the night is a highstakes costume contest, offering a $2,500 GRAND PRIZE and recognition across a dozen themed categories. Celebrity guest judges — names yet to be announced — will preside over the competition. Organizers say the Ball will deliver more than just thrills and spectacle, with ticket proceeds directly funding the Utah Pride Center’s year-round programs.
“The HalloQueen Ball is more than just a party — it’s a celebration of queer culture and a chance for our community and allies to financially support the Utah Pride Center’s work yearround,” said CHAD CALL , executive director of the Utah Pride Center. “It will come as no surprise that this year has brought unique financial challenges to nonprofits in our community. Now, more than ever, the Utah Pride Center is depending on community support to help keep our programs running.”
The Halloween event has long been one of the Utah Pride Center’s most anticipated fundraisers. Organizers paused the tradition during the pandemic and subsequent years of financial restructuring, but Call said the return of a large-scale Hal-
loween celebration is both a symbolic and practical move for the center.
The HalloQueen Ball will feature live sets from two DJs, food trucks stationed outside the venue, and themed costume categories designed to showcase creativity and inclusivity. With doors opening at 8 p.m. and the party running until 1 a.m., it’s billed as a 21-and-over experience that blends Salt Lake’s nightlife energy with the mission-driven purpose of Pride. Tickets are available for $30 online at utahpride.org or at the door. A cash bar will be available inside.
The return of the Halloween fundraiser comes at a time when Utah Pride Center leaders say support is critical. The center provides a wide range of resources, including mental health services, youth and family programs, and advocacy efforts for Utah’s LGBTQIA+ community. Known widely for producing the annual Utah Pride Festival and Parade each June, the center emphasizes that its work extends well beyond Pride Month.
The HalloQueen Ball is made possible through the presenting sponsorship of UAF LEGACY HEALTH , Utah’s only LGBTQ+ community health clinic. Both organizations stressed that their collaboration highlights a shared commitment to visibility, inclusion, and care.
“At UAF Legacy Health, we are delighted to partner with Utah Pride for the HallowQueen Ball,” said CHRIS EVERETT, executive director of UAF Legacy Health. “Attending this event is a fun way to support a vital piece of our com-
munity’s infrastructure. The Utah Pride Center creates a space where LGBTQ+ people can connect, be seen, and thrive, and we are proud to stand alongside them in strengthening that work.”
The Masonic Temple, with its historic architecture and reputation for hosting large-scale events, provides a dramatic backdrop for the Ball. Organizers say the space’s multi-floor layout will help create distinct atmospheres throughout the evening, giving attendees a variety of experiences within a single event.
Winners will be selected in 12 themed categories: Costume Contest Categories: SEXIEST COSTUME, SCARIEST COSTUME, FUNNIEST COSTUME, NERDIEST COSTUME, BEST COUPLE COSTUME, BEST THROUPLE COSTUME, BEST GROUP COSTUME, BEST SATIRE OR CURRENT EVENT, BEST CELEBRITY IMPERSONATION, BEST UTAH THEMED COSTUME, MOST WTF, MOST CAMPY COSTUME, MOST UNEXPECTED REVEAL .
For Call and his team, the Ball is a chance to bring people together for a night of celebration while sustaining the center’s mission.
“This is about joy, about community, and about making sure the Utah Pride Center remains strong,” Call said. “We want people to leave not only with amazing memories of Halloween but also with the knowledge that they’ve helped build something lasting.” Q Tickets at UTAHPRIDE.ORG/EVENTS/ HALLOQUEEN-BALL
views
quotes
“I just have always felt safer in queer spaces, and I think that’s because queer people have a way of living so authentically that it makes me feel like I can live authentically.”
Demi Lovato
“This world, as we all know, can be so full of criticism and discrimination and negativity. So to get to be part of something … that can bring light, make you smile, make you dance, and make you feel like the world is your fucking oyster. I’m so grateful to do that.”
Sabrina Carpenter
“The community has been told that they are going to hell, that no one loves them, when the exact opposite is true. God loves them. In fact, he designed them.”
Kristin Chenoweth
“Talk takes time. A bullet takes a second. Talk can lead to change; a bullet only hardens hate.”
Mark Segal, Philadelphia Gay News publisher
FromTalk takes time. A bullet takes a second.
BY MARK SEGAL, PUBLISHER, PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS
themoment I heard of Charlie Kirk’s murder, I knew what I wanted to write, and I knew it could only be written by me.
For 56 years I’ve debated people like Charlie Kirk. I’ve been called every name imaginable while on live TV, in front of City Council, and at nonviolent protests. I was once asked by a Philadelphia elected official if I “did it with parakeets.” I’ve been punched, spit on, and threatened with death — one letter from the KKK, saying that I’d been placed on their hit list, is now part of my collection at the Smithsonian. But through it all, I’ve never wavered on one truth: murder is never the answer. I despise violence, even when it’s directed at bigots.
Charlie Kirk was nasty, hateful, and skilled at manipulating conservatives and the media. He thrived on outrage. In my newsroom days, we called such people “media whores.” Over the years, he claimed women shouldn’t be allowed to vote, that Martin Luther King wasn’t a good man, and that the Bible’s call to stone homosexuals was “God’s perfect law.” Stoning meant death.
Charlie Kirk was a man of hate — but that does not mean he deserved to be murdered.
Throughout my life, I’ve met and spoken with people considered homophobic. Some hurled insults at me, some used hate speech to my face. But I kept talking with them. Many in our community still don’t appreciate that this dialogue — with people who hate us — is sometimes necessary. They think you shouldn’t talk to those who disagree with us. But history proves otherwise.
During the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, ACT UP’s rallying cry was “Act Up, Fight Back.” That meant civil disobedience, and it meant creating dialogue until people understood. You won’t reach everyone — men like Kirk may never understand — but you will reach someone, and change starts one person at a time. Violence has no place in our movement. My own life has shown that civil
disobedience and conversation can create real change. Through communication, I’ve seen people go from opponents to supporters of our community, including:
• A homophobic city council president who became an ally as mayor.
• A Councilmember who once called me a “fairy,” but later voted for domestic partnerships.
• A Republican governor who compared same-sex marriage to incest, but then ultimately allowed marriage equality in Pennsylvania a year before the Supreme Court ruling. Talk takes time. A bullet takes a second. Talk can lead to change; a bullet only hardens hate.
My friend Ed Rendell understood this well. When he was campaigning to be governor of Pennsylvania, he once asked me: “When I’m in Central Pennsylvania, people always attack me for my liberal views on LGBT equality. What should I do?”
My advice was simple: hand them the microphone and let them talk as long as they want. What those folks really wanted was to be heard. Charlie Kirk and Donald Trump built their followings by speaking to people who felt silenced or bullied for their opinions. That frustration grows when there’s no dialogue.
Ed Rendell went on to win in a purple state and is still remembered as one of Pennsylvania’s most popular governors. Why? Because he communicated with voters. He didn’t just speak at them.
You can despise the positions Charlie Kirk held. You can call out the poison in his words. But his murder should not be cheered. Nor should the right wing turn him into a martyr. Instead, his death should be a moment to educate, to reach those who think like him, and to remind ourselves: we fight hate with truth, courage, and persistence — not with bullets. Q Mark Segal is an American journalist. He is the founder and publisher of Philadelphia Gay News and has won numerous journalism awards for his column “Mark My Words,” including best column by The National Newspaper Association, Suburban Newspaper Association and The Society of Professional Journalists.
SinceRon DeSantis
BY D’ANNE WITKOWSKI
2017, the crosswalk near Pulse in Orlando has been painted with rainbow colors to recognize and honor the 49 people killed and 53 people wounded there in 2016 in a mass shooting.
Recently, that rainbow crosswalk was painted over in the middle of the night by order of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. This understandably upset some people who saw it as a politically motivated swipe at LGBTQ+ people because DeSantis has gone out of his way over the years to let LGBTQ+ people know that he does not like us and does not see our humanity.
“What I’m taken aback by is that of all the rainbow crosswalks in Florida, Gov. DeSantis decided the crosswalk attached to the Pulse nightclub memorial was the example he wanted to make,” Florida Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, Florida’s first out Latine lawmaker, told The Advocate.
And so a group of people decided to protest by coloring in the crosswalk with sidewalk chalk, restoring the rainbow. At least temporarily.
Chalk, as many are aware, is ephemeral. Rainfall, a bucket of water, or even blood from 102 people shot with an assault rifle while trying to enjoy Latin Night at a club could easily wash chalk away.
But as I write this, four people have been arrested in connection with the chalking of the crosswalk, charged with “defacing a traffic device,” according to the Orlando Sentinel. According to The Advocate, “the state has now deployed as many as six police squad cars to guard asphalt, their sole mission to prevent the reemergence of rainbow colors at the site of one of the worst anti-LGBTQ+ massacres in U.S. history.”
DeSantis, of course, insists that the painting of the crosswalk is in no way political. It turns out ALL street art in Florida is to be eradicated. The DeSantis
administration insists, without evidence, that such art is distracting, “jeopardizing both driver and pedestrian safety,” according to the Orlando Sentinel.
The Sentinel has found otherwise, however, by looking at city traffic data. According to their data “the eye-catching swans, citrus wedges and rainbows made the city a safer place to walk, reducing incidents where drivers slammed on the brakes, swerved or crashed as pedestrians crossed.
The paper cited the crosswalk near Pulse as an example, reporting “that there were just four crashes in the eight years since the colors were put down.” It also pointed to “bright murals and decorative crosswalks at four intersections on Orange Avenue” where “foot traffic nearly tripled at those sections of the busy road, yet the rate of conflicts with vehicles plunged about 65%.”
That seems significant. But we know that Republicans do not care about facts and data. Nor do they care about people’s lives, as much as they claim otherwise. Don’t listen to what they say; listen to what they do. Republican policies have a knack for endangering people, worsening public health and increasing death.
“I don’t know of a single rainbow crosswalk that has ever killed a child. Yet I can name countless bus stops across this state without traffic lights,” a Florida resident told The Advocate, “real dangers where tax dollars could be used to protect lives, rather than being wasted on erasing LGBTQ+ visibility.”
And yet, here we are.
This fits, given that Florida is the
home of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill that sought to strengthen the parental rights of cis het kids and parents at the expense of kids and parents who are not cis het by restricting instruction or discussion regarding sexual orientation or gender identity in schools.
DeSantis also tried to ban lighting bridges in rainbow colors during Pride, co-opting June as part of “Freedom Summer” and declaring that the only color lights that could be used to light up bridges were red, white and blue.
Florida state Rep. Anna V. Eskamani (D-Orlando), said the rainbow crosswalk near Pulse “sparked joy and showed our love for all people.”
Which is, of course, the problem.
The U.S. is squarely in our fascist era. And joy and love for all people have no place in a fascist nation. In fact, fascism depends upon the exact opposite. It also depends on our silence.
I am not a fan of Florida, but maybe it’s time for all of the LGBTQ+ people in the United States to take a field trip. I’ll bring the chalk and the sunscreen. You bring the megaphone and the bail money. Q
D’Anne Witkowski is a writer living in Michigan with her wife and son. She has been writing about LGBTQ+ politics for nearly two decades. Follow her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.
BackOut and proud Chris
BY CHRISTOPHER KATIS
in June, I was invited to speak about my experiences as a gay man and a father as part of a company’s Pride and Ally celebration. I was incredibly honored that they asked me, especially since it was the first time they’d ever had a speaker as part of this event.
It was also very cool that a Fortune 500 company still values DEI initiatives.
The questions the moderator asked me ranged from what it was like for gay people in Utah some forty years ago to how fatherhood has changed me. He even asked me how being Greek American influenced my coming out process.
I tried my damndest to be transparent about my experiences while keeping it light and funny. Let’s be honest, nobody wants to take an hour out of their busy work schedule to listen to
some guy complain about life.
Besides, I’ve been lucky to overwhelmingly have a pretty fabulous life. Not everyone is as fortunate as I’ve been to have colleagues, friends, and especially family who universally accept and support me. My hell, during the Midvale Harvest Days Parade, my very straight big brother loudly and enthusiastically booed the Chick-fil-A float!
So, sometimes I forget there are some people who don’t really get it.
During the audience Q&A, a guy I would guess was in his mid-60s, shared that his grandmother loved Liberace, the campy and very obviously gay pianist. Apparently, grandma never missed a single episode of his television variety show. And not once did she ever think about him being gay.
He wasn’t Gay Liberace; he was just Liberace. Why then
did I have to be Gay Chris? Why couldn’t I just be Chris? I tried to politely explain the importance of being out. I reminded him that straight people weren’t fired from their jobs; they weren’t arrested simply for having a beer and dancing together; no one disowned their kid for being heterosexual.
What baffled me was that he had literally just heard me relay how my family faced various challenges and even discrimination because it’s headed by two dads. Did he miss when everyone laughed at the story of a colleague who didn’t believe I’m gay and demanded proof? (Apparently, matching my shoes to my shirt wasn’t enough. I think the photo of Kelly and me posing way too physically close to be confused for a couple of straight bros did the trick.)
Naturally, his grandmother didn’t think of her favorite entertainer as gay. It was a different time. If you wanted a career, especially in Hollywood, you needed to push the gay part of you so deep into the closet
that it found Narnia.
I reminded him that his beloved Mamaw notwithstanding, everyone knew that Liberace, like Paul Lynde – Uncle Arthur on Bewitched and for years the center square on Hollywood Squares – was gay. But it was OK because they allowed themselves to be portrayed as sexless eunuchs, played for laughs, a wink, and a giggle.
Hopefully, he understood that too many queer folks took cop batons to the head for that shit to continue. And by the way, I’ve spent too many years fighting for equality and educating people about LGBTQ+ families to be reduced to a joke. No shade to Liberace, but my husband of 37 years, my amazing sons, and our family deserve more respect than he was willing to settle for.
As we were saying goodbye, the young man in charge of the event asked if I would consider returning next year. I, of course, agreed. But I won’t come just as Chris. I’ll come as out, proud and unashamed Gay Chris. Q
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ThereAnchoring queer healthcare: A case for structural commitment
BY CHRIS EVERETT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UAF LEGACY HEALTH
was a moment in the late 2010s when it seemed like LGBTQ+ people might finally access care like everyone else — no special hoops, no separate systems — just dignified, competent treatment within the mainstream. Unfortunately, that moment is slipping away. Politically and socially, we’re watching old fault lines reopen. Institutions that once felt welcoming are now hesitating, recalibrating, or quietly pulling back.
This isn’t just a wave of discomfort — it’s a structural test of healthcare resilience in a time of mounting hostility.
Symbolic support — rainbow logos, Pride sponsorships, June declarations — may raise visibility, but visibility without permanence isn’t safety. LGBTQ+ Americans are more than twice as likely as their non-LGBTQ+ peers to experience discrimination in healthcare settings, according to a 2021 study by the Center for American Progress. And nearly 1 in 3 transgender adults report having to teach their provider about trans-specific healthcare. In this context, the difference between symbolic allyship and competent, affirming care becomes life-altering.
This moment calls for a rethinking of how we build systems and which institutions we entrust with our care. Healthcare, mental health, and supportive services for queer communities must no longer be treated as add-ons or profit-seeking gestures.
Why Large Institutions Fall Short
Academic, for-profit, and nonprofit healthcare systems in Utah have made meaningful gestures toward LGBTQ+ inclusion. But no matter how well-intentioned or well-designed, these programs are often embedded within institutions constrained by budgets, return on investment (ROI), and reputational risk. A 2022 report from the American Medical Association found that LGBTQ+ initiatives in academic medical centers are especially vulnerable to legislative backlash and internal budget cuts—leading to clinic closures,
staff reassignment, and fragmented care. These systems, however well-intentioned, are built on foundations that shift with political decisions. State-affiliated institutions operate within volatile legislative frameworks, while even large nonprofits adjust priorities in response to risk management and policy pressure. In a climate where queer health is routinely politicized, sustained, reliable care becomes difficult — if not impossible — to guarantee. What we’re building is different. At UAF Legacy Health, queer care isn’t an add-on — it’s the foundation.
Piecemeal solutions can’t meet full-spectrum needs. Our community deserves care that doesn’t disappear under pressure.
The Extraction Problem
When LGBTQ+ programs exist within healthcare systems, they often follow a familiar pattern: they attract insured patients, generate grants, and enhance the organization’s public image—while the resulting profits are redirected back into the broader institution. This has long been the status quo.
But even without legislative or policy hostility — even with consistent institutional support — the model remains flawed. It pushes uninsured and underinsured queer people into public systems that may offer basic primary care but lack the specialized knowledge, training, and cultural competency to meet the specific needs of LGBTQ+ populations.
At UAF Legacy Health, we’re making a different kind of commitment: to build a healthcare institution that outlasts individual providers, with governance rooted in community values and care models designed to withstand the volatility of shifting administrative priorities. Our approach reinvests the revenue from insured queer patients — and their allies — back into queer care itself, ensuring access for those who can’t afford to pay, those with gaps in insurance or employment, and those navigating high deductibles or delays in coverage. We’re not extracting value from the community — we’re circulat-
ing it, sustaining it, and protecting it. Reciprocity matters — our community gives us its trust. In return, we’re building something that won’t vanish.
A Case for Alignment and Commitment
We are at a crossroads. Queer patients, affirming providers, and allies each have a chance to shape the future of healthcare in Utah. That future won’t build itself. It will require a coordinated and structured commitment.
Here’s what we’re asking:
QUEER PATIENTS:
Make UAF Legacy Health your medical home. Not just because it is affirming, but because it is designed for long-term resilience. When you bring your insured care here, you are taking care of your own health and helping fund free and sliding-scale care for uninsured and underinsured community members.
QUEER-AFFIRMING PROVIDERS:
Refer your LGBTQ+ patients who need affirming primary, sexual, or gender-affirming care. Tell your colleagues about what we do. Help us spread the word about a healthcare system built for resilience, not just visibility. Whether you’re sending patients our way, amplifying our mission, or looking for a place to practice that aligns with your values, your support matters.
NON-QUEER PATIENTS AND ALLIES:
Get your regular healthcare here. Each visit strengthens a system designed to protect vulnerable access. You don’t have to be queer to invest in our mission. Showing up matters.
At UAF Legacy Health, we’re not just providing queer care — we’re anchoring it. We’re:
• Embedding governance rooted in trust, self-determination, and human flourishing
• Shielding patients from the volatility of policy and legislative changes
• Designing an institution that will protect the continuity of care regardless of ability to pay
• We are building a clinic that says — no matter the climate — you still have somewhere to go. A place where queer people don’t have to explain themselves, brace for judgment, or second-guess their safety. Q
More info at uafhealth.org
Salt Lake City Leather Pride Returns with Festival, Contest, and Community Focus
Salt Lake City’s leather and kink community will gather October 17–19 for the 2025 Salt Lake City Leather Pride, a weekend of celebration, competition, and charity.
The festivities kick off Friday, October 17, with a contestant and judges meet-and-greet at Club TryAngles. The centerpiece of the weekend, the Leather Pride Festival, runs Sunday, October 19, from 1 to 8 p.m. at MILK+ (49 East 900 South). The indoor-outdoor event will feature vendor booths, bootblacks, food and drinks, giveaways, and a full bar.
Entertainment will take center stage Sunday afternoon, with performances from Sappho SLC Burlesque dancers Luna Sol, Rosa Rica, Madazon Can-Can, and Lavender Cowboy, alongside Hot Take Burlesque’s Antonio and Dani. National and local gogo boys will also keep the crowd energized throughout the day.
The highlight of the festival is the Mr. Leather SL♥UT 2025 Contest, beginning at 4 p.m. Contestants will be judged on skill, charisma, and their dedication to the leather lifestyle. The winner earns the chance to compete at International Mr. Leather (IML) in Chicago and other regional contests. Current titleholder Fennec Wilds will step down as he
passes the torch to this year’s winner.
A silent and live auction will raise funds for UAF Legacy Health Clinic, Utah’s first community health center focused on LGBTQ+ and HIV care. Among the auction’s standout items is a RAD Power Bikes e-bike, donated by RAD Power Bikes Salt Lake City.
“Leather Pride is about honoring
tradition while embracing diversity,” organizers said in a statement. “We’re looking for titleholders who can act as ambassadors, inspire others, and strengthen community connections.”
Admission to the festival is free with a complimentary ticket (21+), and VIP tables and brunch tickets are available for purchase. Contestant applications for Mr. Leather SL♥UT are open until October 10.
More information and tickets are available at slcleatherpride.com.
Leather, Liberation, and the Power of Being a SL♥UT
BY CHRIS HANSEN, MR. LEATHER SL♥UT 2019
I’ve been asked many times what it means to be a “Leather SL-UT” in various forms of comedy and disgust. Here’s what I have to say.
I used to be ashamed of my title when people would laugh about it. I took it as them laughing at me, and not just that I’ve branded myself with a word as taboo as slut. I would shut down in a way. I was afraid to use those moments to educate and show the importance of the name. I would even introduce myself as Mr Leather Salt Lake... Not only is that doing a disservice to me, but it also diminishes what we as a community are working towards.
Leather is beautiful in all of its forms, and so is sexual freedom. The simple truth is that the word “slut” is
so often used to tarnish someone’s character and tear them down. In reality, “slut” is empowering. You’re not afraid to get what you want, nor fight for someone else’s rights to do the same. If more of us took control of the words that were meant to belittle us, think of what we could accomplish.
When I think of the word “slut” I strive for change. Better sex education. Better sexual health resources for all people. And maybe one day, old white men in elegant offices will let women do what the fuck they want with their own bodies without treating them like a child, because.... Old white men know what’s “best” for everybody.
It’s time to take a stand. I’m a slut, with or without a back patch. I’m a slut. I hope you are too.
Mr. Leather SL♥UT 2019 Chris Hansen, Mr. Leather SL♥UT 2024 Fennec Wilds, MLS 2018 Nicholas Cendese, and Mr. Leather SL♥UT 2017 Michael Sanders
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REVIEW BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER
‘Mounted: On Horses, Blackness, and Liberation’ by Bitter Kalli
C.2025, AMISTAD $22, 192 PAGES
One thousand, two hundred pounds and four legs. Put that between your knees and you’ll find out what real horsepower is. You’re five feet off the ground, moving as fast as a car on a downtown street, hooves pounding as hard as your heart. Dangerous? Maybe. But as you’ll see in “Mounted” by Bitter Kalli, your ancestors did it, and so can you.
When they were a young child, “around the age of six or seven,” someone gave Bitter Kalli a set of “pony books,” the kind that appeal to young girls, mostly white ones. Kalli wasn’t entirely comfortable identifying as a girl then, but they adored the books, in part because the stories featured the
q scopes
OCTOBER
BY SAM KELLEY-MILLS
ARIES March 20–April 19
You’re glowing with raw magnetism this month, and people can’t help but notice. But don’t give it all away at once; leave a little mystery behind. The tease is just as intoxicating as the reveal.
TAURUS Apr 20–May 20
Desire meets indulgence, and you’re hungry for more. Go ahead and taste the forbidden fruit. The flavor might linger longer than you expect, and the memory will be even sweeter.
GEMINI May 21–June 20
Your dual nature is buzzing, and lovers may find it hard to keep up. Let them try as it’ll only make the game more enticing. But when you finally focus on just one, the heat will be undeniable.
the bookworm sez
kinds of friendships and acceptance Kalli wanted. After devouring those stories, they begged their parents for riding lessons from a nearby Brooklyn stable.
Fast forward to 2014, when Kalli was seventeen years old, an experienced equestrian, a trans individual, and a protester at college. During that protest, they watched the horses that carried the police, and wondered what those animals saw in the crowd.
For that matter, what did horses see throughout Black history?
In times of slavery, it was not uncommon for fleeing slaves to steal a horse or two to get away faster. Kalli shares heart-pounding tales of escape, sharing examples of how human chattel was often compared to that of equines in newspaper ads, as slaveholders mourned the latter loss much deeper than the former.
Many Americans are unaware of the rich contributions that African Americans made to the settling of the West. Kalli examines a popular movie, deconstructing it and adding real history to the Hollywood tale.
“What we know as the Wild West would not exist without the 182,000 enslaved people living in Texas in 1860…” they say.
Horses are featured in many of
CANCER June 21–July 22
You’re craving a connection that goes beneath the surface. Let yourself be vulnerable, even if it feels risky. The reward is a closeness that’s as erotic as it is emotional.
LEO July 23–August 22
You thrive when admired, and this month the spotlight burns especially hot. Command the room, but remember: the most powerful seduction comes when you invite someone to share the stage with you.
VIRGO August 23–Sep 2
Your need for order softens this October, and with it comes a thrilling looseness. Try something unplanned, even reckless. The lack of control might just be the turn-on you didn’t know you needed.
the world’s religions. Horsey language lends itself to the erotic. Even, says Kalli, “Black and brown youth in Brooklyn” understood the appeal of a good-looking Polo pony…
Take a good study of the cover of “Mounted.” Appreciate the artwork, notice the design. Then add this book to your “Things I Never Really Thought About” list, because you’ll think about it now. And you’re going to want to read every delicious word.
Horses have been hiding in plain sight in Black history for centuries, but author Bitter Kalli pulls them to the forefront, turning each facet of the subject over for deeper examination and additional thought. Happily, you won’t feel forced to do that; their writing comes across like an invitation to a warm, intimate conversation, the kind you get while casually hanging out with a new group of friends on the patio. What you learn is highly intriguing, and you won’t ever see horses in the same way again. Beware that this book has one explicit chapter inside, but it fits the narrative, and you won’t mind. You’ll be too busy enjoying what you read and wanting more. For horse lovers and history lovers alike, “Mounted” is the perfect ride. Q
LIBRA Sept 23–October 22
Romance is your playground, and right now it’s overflowing with possibilities. Indulge in the pleasures that balance your body and spirit. When you’re radiant, your allure becomes impossible to resist.
SCORPIO Oct 23–Nov 21
Your intensity is magnetic, and this month, it’s impossible to hide. Lean into it. Surrendering to transformation, whether in love, lust, or life, will awaken desires you’ve only just begun to imagine.
SAGITTARIUS Nov 22–December 20
Your wanderlust isn’t just about new places; it’s about new sensations. Say yes to experiences that stretch your boundaries. Adventure tastes better when it leaves you breathless.
CAPRICORN Dec 21–Jan 19
Ambition is sexy, but this month asks you to pause and indulge in pleasure without purpose. Take your time with slow touches, lingering moments. You’ll be surprised how much power comes from simply savoring.
AQUARIUS Jan 20–Feb 18
Your unconventional streak is irresistible now. Lean into collaborations that spark curiosity, whether in bed or in brainstorms. Chemistry will take you far, but intimacy will take you deeper.
PISCES Feb 19–Mar 19
Your fantasies are flooding in, and this October, they demand to be lived out. Share your dreams with someone you trust. The line between imagination and reality is thi,n and crossing it will feel divine.. Q
Great Salt Lake and a brine shrimp walk into a bar…
BY MATTHEW IVAN BENNETT
In JUST
ADD
WATER by MATTHEW IVAN
BENNETT and co-writer ELAINE JARVIK , Great Salt Lake takes human form and heads into the city on a quest to understand what is happening to her and what she can do about it: a whimsical, cli-fi dramedy about nature spirits, open mics, mic drops, humans, dust, and hope.
When I can’t fall asleep, I visualize myself on Great Salt Lake, paddling a canoe into the sunset. I used to sail there with my dad, and I know just what the twilit water looks like — those swells of uncanny light, turquoise and salmon. That image of the lake has talismanic power for me, representing love, ease, and the creative mind itself.
I wish it weren’t so, but the lake is dying. It’s simple: more water is evaporating from the lake’s surface every year than is flowing into the lake. In a fairy tale, a hero would leave her village and find out where the water went. She’d confront the greedy giant or sorcerer. She’d fight him, or trick him, and the water would flow again.
Unfortunately, this isn’t a fairy tale. In real life, the hero and giant are the same: they’re human civilization along the Wasatch Front. The “giant” part of us is polylithic: it’s consumerism, it’s commercial agriculture, mineral extraction, municipalities, pro-growth policies at every level; it’s the real estate sector and the fifth-acre-per-family zoning of the American Dream.
I wish I could write a fairy tale about the lake, but what we need is a levelheaded but hopeful piece, one in the playful mold of Maria Irene Fornés. We need a dramatization that grapples with the hyperobject that is our lake in peril while featuring the fantastic reporting of the Great Salt Lake Collaborative. We need to help Utahns and others understand the science, the politics, the economics, and the spiritual costs of the lake in peril and recovery. Salt Lake City is my hometown. The air quality is personal to me. Seeing the exposed lake bed and the tannish dots on my windshield is personal to me. I don’t want to be a climate refugee. I don’t
want to have to leave here. I don’t want to stop imagining myself on the lake as I’m falling to sleep because no one canoes there anymore. According to The Salt Lake Tribune, we’re now experiencing 15 dust events per year. That number could easily rise if we — as journalists, as scientists, as artists, as citizens — don’t demand collective action to save the lake. Sometimes I feel like there’s so little I can do, but in this case, I knew exactly what I
could do: write. Write the most passionate and informed play possible — JUST ADD WATER — about how we save the lake. Draw on the work of scientists, journalists, and activists and inspire people by showing them what we can and must do in defense of our home. Q
JUST ADD WATER by Matthew Ivan Bennett & Elaine Jarvik receives its world premiere, directed by Penelope Caywood, October 2-19 in the Studio Theatre @ The Rose. Details and tickets at planbtheatre.org/justaddwater
From lake to stage: playwrights Bennett and Jarvik collaborate on ‘Just Add Water’
INTERVIEW BY JERRY RAPIER
Plan-B
Theatre’s artistic director JERRY RAPIER chatted with playwrights MATTHEW IVAN BENNETT and ELAINE JARVIK about the process of co-creating their play JUST ADD WATER.
How did this partnership come to be?
MATT: I rarely collaborate, but after two positive experiences with other writers at Pacific Play Company in Seattle, I decided to approach Elaine about collaborating on this play. I initially imagined we’d both write a bunch of short pieces and then combine them somehow. That’s sort of what happened, but Elaine had the idea of sending a personified lake on a hero’s journey.
ELAINE: Matt asked if I wanted to collaborate on a play about the Great Salt Lake, and I jumped at the chance, both because I admire him immensely and because my interest in the lake’s fate had been piqued by news reports and by my work on “Eb & Flo,” my Great Salt Lake play for grades K-3. What made you nervous about writing together?
MATT: I suppose I was nervous about letting my strong opinions get in the way of our creative flow. But Elaine’s background as a journalist, I think, counteracted my attachments. She’s a gifted editor and never afraid to say “I don’t know about this.” In a way, her simply saying “I don’t know about this” was enough to make me reconsider my approach to a scene or a line. We both ended up throwing a lot of material away. And we ended up deciding to rework
our approach to many scenes just by talking through the weak points. It’s very different to how I’ve written before, where I’ve put something out there, gotten feedback, and then rewritten. At every stage, Elaine and I discussed the point of scenes (as opposed to just critiquing), and that discussion became the basis, really, of the collaboration.
ELAINE: Collaboration as writers can be tricky (whose voice will it be, will we agree about what to emphasize, etc.). Most of all, though, I worried that I wouldn’t be smart enough to keep up with him.
What excited you about writing together?
MATT: Well, in general, it’s somewhat of a relief to know that you’re not responsible for everything alone, and that you can discuss and rework the script before putting it out there. Specifically, I wanted to work with Elaine because of her sense of humor, her whimsy, her ability to see things less literally than I tend to.
ELAINE: I trust Matt’s approach to writing and the world, and I knew we’d come up with something audiences would enjoy.
How did you decide how to start?
MATT: The work really got underhand when Elaine came up with the idea of personifying the lake in an archetypal hero’s journey. The big problem, from the outset, was how to contain and explain the hyperobject of a huge, interconnected, imperiled ecosystem. We thought at first that we’d have many protagonists, but that’s tough to do in 90 minutes. So it began to gel when we committed to this idea of GSL taking human form and fighting for herself in the city.
ELAINE: We both like to nerd out on
research, so we started there. Then we brainstormed ways to present the facts in a way that would entertain playgoers. At first we thought about doing a sort of variety show. Then we landed on a hero’s journey. What do you most admire about each other’s writing?
MATT: What I admire most about her process is how big-picture she’s able to be, while I tend to get bogged down in micro-details. Especially when we were rewriting, she shooed me out of that habit, and I think it will help my future writing. In terms of product, I admire how much work she puts into her humor. She worked hard on the Angry Slam Poet’s piece, and the Farmer’s sonnet. I never touched them, or made many suggestions particular to them, because they were perfect. And I also like how Elaine will try big ideas even if she backs away from them later.
ELAINE : Matt is both logical and lyrical, which is a great combination. And he’s funny.
What is the strength of your own writing?
MATT: I think I know how to hold tension between characters, and I know when a line still needs polish. I occasionally overwrite, but I’m seldom closed off to cutting and simplifying.
ELAINE: In general, I hope that I can bring humor and tenderness to whatever subject I’m writing about. And I like to tackle big topics. What preconception did you have about each other that has since been debunked, if any?
MATT: Well, certainly, I saw Elaine as a little timid when we began. My understanding of that has changed. I see now that she leverages that into a strength. It’s a kind of openness and willingness to rethink things. Rewriting is largely about being open to change and… rethinking things. Also, I thought I was detail-oriented, but Elaine is detail-oriented in ways that I never was. Her journalism background makes her very precise, and it’s area where again she’s helped me.
ELAINE: Matt is even smarter and nicer than I thought. Q
JUST ADD WATER by Matthew Ivan Bennett & Elaine Jarvik receives its world premiere, directed by Penelope Caywood, October 2-19 in the Studio Theatre @ The Rose. Details and tickets at planbtheatre.org/justaddwater
GUIDE TO THE UTAH QUEER FILM FESTIVAL
Utah Film Center announced the Utah Queer Film Festival program for its 22nd year, bringing a mix of documentaries, narratives, and shorts collections to the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center in Salt Lake City. The festival, formerly known as Damn These Heels, remains the Mountain West’s longest-running LGBTQIA+ film festival and continues its mission to showcase diverse queer voices on screen. The Festival will be presented October 24–26 at Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center.
Festival Programming Director Cat Palmer, an award-winning artist and advocate, returns to lead the curation of this year’s event with the support of more than 30 volunteer programmers. Together, they have assembled a slate of films that explore identity, activism, resilience, and creativity from a wide range of perspectives.
“This year’s lineup is a true labor of love. I’m incredibly proud of our programming committee — they brought passion, thoughtfulness, and bold vision to every decision. We’ve curated a selection of films that reflect the diversity, depth, and joy of the queer experience, and I truly believe there’s something here for everyone. Whether you’re looking to laugh, cry, reflect, or celebrate, this year’s festival has it,” Palmer said.
In all, the festival will show six feature films and 40 shorts in its lineup.
ASSEMBLY
Assembly follows internationally acclaimed artist Rashaad Newsome as he embarks on his most ambitious project yet—a multimedia exhibition and performance at New York’s historic Park Avenue Armory. Once a bastion of white military power, the Armory is transformed into a vibrant celebration of Black and queer culture through video projections, holograms, sculptures, collages, music, dance, and African fractal patterns. This reimagining challenges colonial power structures while honoring the complexity and resilience of Black experience. This event features the pre-feature short, DENIM .
Vibrant and fresh, Denim, is a genre blending, hybrid, fantastical doc series of short stories illuminating queer people of color and
LGBTQIA+ creatives in entertainment, fashion, beauty, music, film, performance, design, and visual arts.
Directed by: Rashaad Newsome, Johnny Symons
Film type: Documentary Runtime: 98 minutes
AVANT GARDE SHORTS COLLECTION
This collection of festival shorts was curated to push your boundaries and take you to the next level of cinematic storytelling.
AUTOEROTICA: WE BUY GAY STUFF BY CLAIRE TIMOTHY
17 min | United States
Behind an unassuming “We Buy Gay Stuff” sign in San Francisco’s Castro district – complete with a striking leather daddy illustration – lies an unexpected treasure trove of queer history.
CLEMENTINE BY SALLY TRAN
15 min | United States
A late-blooming trans woman grapples with a life-altering, assigned-male-at-birth Trans specific dilemma, and with the help of her besties, navigates the complexities of this debacle as she defines her womanhood on her own terms.
EVERYTHING YOU WANT BY MARIANA MACHADO
20 min | Belgium, Brazil
Everything You Want comes from my experience as a Latin American migrant in Brussels and as part of a young generation of filmmakers creating art in response to our frustrations, anger, needs, desires, hopes, and dreams. Inspired by migrants from the Global South in Europe, the film portrays them not as fragile beings but as powerful and creative forces.
KOKUHAKU BY ADRIÀ GUXENS
10 min | Spain
During an interview, Tadashi, a young Spanish-Japanese actor who plays female characters in a theatrical practice similar to kabuki, will return to the past to relive his most intimate memories.
LA MÁSCARA DE EMILIANO (EMILIANO’S MASK) BY ROZE JC ZEPEDA
13 min | United States
MEXICO, 1914. The revolutionary, Emiliano Zapata, seizes explosives from Ignacio de la Torre y Mier, his enemy’s vain son-in-law, rekindling a past romance that transcends political divides.
MARROW OF MY BONES BY KARLY MCCLOSKEY
2 min | Canada
Marrow of my Bones is a short experimental film that has been created through a mixture of digital special effects, compositing, frame by frame animation, and 16mm hand processed film. Through material-based exploration, this film plays with the concept of post-humanism via the return to nature and the body in a tactile and gritty manner.
MY ENDLESS ECLIPSE BY BIJAN AARABI
14 min | Canada, Iran
A transgender woman has hidden her gender identity all her life. To escape a forced marriage, she is forced to flee her country. But she falls into the hands of human traffickers.
PIETRA BY CYNTHIA LEVITAN
13 min | Portugal
In daydreaming about unlikely relationships, the flower – as delicate as it is revolutionary – represents an act of love amidst the suffocation and embrace of a classic Portuguese neighborhood.
THE EATING OF AN ORANGE BY MAY KINDRED-BOOTHBY
7 min | United Kingdom, France
Unconventional rituals and explorations of sexuality involve slugs and the symbolic consumption of an orange.
INSPIRING STORIES SHORTS COLLECTION
This collection focuses on discovering your identity and the strength that lies within. You’re all you need and these films are a sweet reminder. This event features a pre-film musical performance by CYDNEY CARDONNA
HOME BY DONJA R. LOVE
15 min | United States
On a cold night in NYC, after missing curfew at a shelter, T–a homeless queer teen–searches for a way to get off the streets. Knowing the city offers programs that help people living with HIV secure housing, he devises a plan to contract the virus so he can receive the same support.
LINGER BY THIAGO KISTENMACKER
17 min | Brazil
Two septuagenarian men who had an affair in their youth meet again after the wife of one of them passes away.
REVENGE BY MARI PENTEADO, EDUARDO CAMPOS
18 min | Brazil
Virginia is a 43-year-old transgender woman who works as a community health agent in Guarulhos, Brazil. The film follows a day in her life.
SISTER WIVES BY LOUISA CONNOLLY-BURNHAM
28 min | United Kingdom
Sister Wives is a multi-layered love story that tells the tale of young women living in a strict, fundamentalist, polygamous society in 2003 Utah.
SKATES BY DANI PAYNE
15 min | United States
Two childhood best friends are confronted with reality when the arrival of a third party makes them question the strength of their relationship.
WE’LL GO DOWN IN HISTORY BY CAMERON RICHARDS, CHARLIE TIDMAS
25 min | United Kingdom
We’ll Go Down in History is the story of TRUK United, a grassroots, proudly trans football club.
INTIMATE STORIES SHORTS COLLECTION
Let yourself be comforted by this collection of stories that highlight what it means to be vulnerable. Sometimes the loudest characters are the quietest ones. This event features a pre-film musical performance by ANDREA HARDEMAN .
ARE YOU SCARED TO BE YOURSELF BECAUSE YOU THINK THAT YOU MIGHT FAIL? BY BEC PECAUT
17 min | Canada
While recovering from top surgery, Mad struggles with wanting the attention of their partner and accepting the help of their mother.
HANDWOVEN BY DASHA LEVIN, MASON CAZALET, MATTHEW WISDOM, MIHIKA DAS
9 min | United States
A lyrical portrait of Nikyle Begay, a non-binary shepherd and weaver; working to preserve their way of life through the traditional art of weaving.
HOLD ME CLOSE BY AURORA BRACHMAN, LATAJH WEAVER
19 min | United States
A study of a Black Queer couple told through intimate voice recordings documented over the course of a season.
PORELESS BY HARRIS DOLAN
13 min | United States
A fabulous, queer, Muslim beauty entrepreneur competes in a Shark Tank-like contest after suffering an untimely allergic reaction.
THE EXCHANGE BY AMAIA YOLDI
14 min | Spain
Antonio and Inés are two complete strangers who arrange a meeting through a second-hand app. Inés wants to sell something she no longer tolerates; Antonio wants to try it.
WHITE GLASS GLOBE BY HASSAN JAFARI DARIUSH
20 min | Iran
White Glass Globe is a human drama about the romantic relationship between two girls, one Iranian and one Afghan, in a religious and traditional society.
IT’S DOROTHY!
Since Dorothy Gale started her epic journey down the Yellow Brick Road 125 years ago in L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, she’s become a celebrity, a brand, and a beacon for marginalized voices across our culture. It’s Dorothy brings to life her timeless adventures in Oz through the human experiences of a new generation of star performers, infused with the spirit and influence of Judy Garland and more. With a chorus of cultural icons, unforgettable music, and a magical remix of archival and cinematic art, this film centers the perspectives of women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ voices. Exploring the meaning and evolution of a cherished character through the eras, we celebrate Dorothy as an enduring symbol of hope and a touchstone in our universal quest to fly over the rainbow and find home again.
Directed by: Jeffrey McHale Film type: Documentary Runtime: 97 minutes
JOIN THE CLUB
Presented by Through the Lens and Utah Filmmaker Showcase.
Dennis Peron is San Francisco’s biggest pot dealer. But when the AIDS epidemic sweeps through his community, Peron realizes that marijuana is more than a good time—it’s
medicine. In the wake of his lover’s death, Peron opens the Cannabis Buyers’ Club, a five-story dispensary complete with rainbow murals, drag shows, and doctors onsite. Law enforcement launches a multimillion dollar investigation into the club, but Peron has even larger aspirations, writing a landmark political initiative and leading the fight for change. Following the life of Dennis Peron, Join the Club uncovers the queer history of marijuana legalization in America.
This event features a pre-film musical performance by MOON RAY and a post-film Q&A with Co-Director, CHRIS O’CONNELL . Directed by: Kip Andersen, Chris O’Connell
Film type: Documentary
JUST KIDS
Just Kids is a documentary that follows three teens in states that restrict gender-affirming care. Over the course of a year, these families endure impossible challenges and show unparalleled strength as they endure attacks from their government—and communities. Civil rights experts and pioneers in the trans community contextualize this moment in history: these new laws are a thinly veiled political strategy that’s been used against different communities for decades. This event features a pre-film musical performance by AZUL BOLIVARR and the pre-feature shorts A-OKAY and DRAGFOX
In a society where intimacy and romance are constantly everywhere, someone breaks from the mould after years of self-discovery. They send a letter to their past self full of their experiences and lessons learned, in the form of a short documentary. A-Okay brings attention to the hyper-sexualized and romanticized society we live in and how it’s expectations, stigmas, and stereotypes can be harmful to individuals on the aromantic and asexual spectrums. In Dragfox, Sam’s search of identity gets interrupted by a mysterious neighbourhood fox. Together, they embark on a magical journey to the attic to discover the surprising things they might have in common, and how
to celebrate the ways in which they differ. Directed by: Gianna Toboni
Film type: Documentary Runtime: 93 minutes
ROW OF LIFE
One woman’s irrepressible ambition to defy all odds led her to the Marine Corps, three Paralympics, and fourteen Guinness world records. Angela Madsen inspired millions, and at 60, embarked on the most ambitious journey of all: to become the first paraplegic and oldest woman to row the impossibly vast Pacific Ocean alone and unassisted. Row of Life is about renowned ocean rower Angela Madsen, a Paralympic medalist, Marine Veteran, and 14x Guinness World Record holder who attempted her final solo ocean row from Los Angeles to Hawaii in 2020. The film is a poetic story of bravery, resilience, and love between Angela and her wife Deb—separated by a vast ocean—supporting each other’s dreams despite what became the ultimate cost.
This event features a pre-film spoken word performance by ARTIKULATE and the pre-feature short film, BODY STORIES. Body Stories is a 15-minute documentary weaving together 25 voices reflecting on birth, death, pleasure, pain, and the lifelong journey of inhabiting a body—boldly sharing stories that deserve to be told without shame or apology.
Directed by: Soraya Simi
Film type: Documentary Runtime: 82 minutes
SALLY!
SALLY! brings into focus the life and legacy of Sally Gearhart—a charismatic lesbi-
an-feminist, activist, professor, and fantasy author. A trailblazer in the 1970s and ’80s U.S. lesbian feminist movement, Sally is a “hidden figure” deserving more attention: she was a key spokeswoman for an important period of women’s history.
The film makes clear most of us haven’t heard of Sally or her accomplishments largely due to the patriarchal lens through which history is recounted. At the same time, the documentary honestly and unflinchingly examines Sally’s contradictions, iconoclasm, and the complex relationship between spokeswomen like her and the movements for social change they champion, which are necessarily collective and layered.
Balancing humor, insight, and heart, SALLY! is both a celebration of a radical icon, a meditation on the tensions inherent in revolutionary movements, and a powerful reflection on the lessons her work offers for today’s struggles for civil rights, justice, and equality.
This event features a pre-film poetry performance by AFIA CHIN and the pre-feature short, SEAT 31: ZOOEY ZEPHYR
When Zooey Zephyr was expelled from the Montana House of Representatives for speaking on a bill banning transgender medical care, she made a nearby bench her “office.” Director Kimberly Reed’s cameras land next to Zooey, capturing shocking, funny, and joyous events.
Who’s ready for a few late night frights and sights? Well, step right up, this is the program for you! These films go bump in the night and if you’re lucky, they just might bite…
BERGAMOT BY HSU CHIEN
15 min | Brazil
Bergamot is the name given to the tangerine in southern Brazil. This fruit, with its characteristic smell, an aphrodisiac for many, will trigger a night of seduction, sensual dancing,
and bloody revenge in Rio de Janeiro.
BUTTERFLY KISS BY ZOHAR DVIR
10 min | Germany
Carol panics and argues with her girlfriend Ray after an unexpected proposal. The situation gets worse when she wakes up in an apocalyptic reality and terribly discovers that Ray has transformed into a butterfly.
EVADERS BY HUDSON SHELTON
14 min | United States
In a future where science has eliminated gender at birth, two teens, Ziya and Walker, face an impossible choice: conform to a society that forbids their love, or risk everything to protect it.
KILTER BY BARTLEY TAYLOR
15 min | United States
A 1990s set coming of age horror about the physical monster created from the silence around mental health.
MASCLOOKING BY JONATHAN HAMMOND
9 min | United States
After two friends discuss the pros and cons and gay dating apps, one starts to get ominous messages from a potential hookup with the handle, MascLooking. And MascLooking is getting close… and closer…
MINISTER CHUCKY BY GRAHAM KOLBEINS AND JONATHAN ANDRE CULLITON
10 min | United States, Canada
As the specter of rising fascism looms, a queer couple celebrates their love with an unconventional Vegas wedding—officiated by Chucky, the killer doll—before making their escape to Canada.
PROM PARTY MASSACRE BY JORDAN GUSTAFSON
18 min | United States
In a genre-bending musical full of teenage rebels, poodle skirts, and betrayal, a young gay man tries to woo his crush with a swinging prom party.
SHE RAISED ME BY BEN LEWIS
13 min | United States, Canada
When a struggling writer discovers he’s dating the son of his favorite actress, he’ll do anything to make (and keep) a meaningful connection.
THE GIANT BRINE SHRIMP BY MIKE CASSIDY
3 min | United States
A giant brine shrimp attacks Salt Lake City,
Utah. The massive creature destroys several famous landmarks and buildings before being carried away and dropped by a giant bird.
VERMILYON BY DILAY SENGUL
6 min | Turkey
As the tension fueled by jealousy between Bahadir and Bahar escalates, Bahadir is forced to confront both the person in front of him and the repressed woman within himself.
UTAH FILMMAKER SHOWCASE QUEER SHORTS COLLECTION
Utah proud and Utah loud. These short films by local filmmakers highlight the rapidly increasing queer community of our state. Put a little jive in your beehive and celebrate your world.
Presented by the Artist Foundry‘s Utah Filmmaker Showcase program.
This event features a pre-film dance performance by STEVEN SALABSKY and a postfilm roundtable Q&A with the collection’s filmmaking teams.
BE BY CLAIRE TIMOTHY
11 min | United States
Three bisexual young adults explore how they came to terms with their sexualities. Each story highlights a different film medium (16mm, 8mm, and digital) to create a unique world and experience.
DIZZY BY SAM EVERRETT
6 min | United States
“Dizzy” is a story about struggling to fit in, facing rejection, and finding belonging through chosen family. The film’s message is simple but powerful: acceptance and understanding can lead to healing.
EMBALMED BY RYAN MARGETTS
5 min | United States
Embalmed is a haunting, satirical anthem that examines themes of capitalism, dehumanization, exploitation, and greed.
FREEDOM DREAMING BY MEREL NOORLANDER
6 min | United States
A journey through fluid water, flowery, and bodily landscapes of pleasure and pain meandering through domestic and public spaces. Erotic queer energy through a political lens, being made ecological as non-normative storytelling.
GREENWARE: MY QUEER CLAY BODY BY RAE ANN LUEBBERT
7 min | United States
“Greenware: My Queer Clay Body” is an experimental short film exploring the abundant queerness of clay and its relationship to the moving body. Clay is deeply malleable, a material in constant transformation that becomes both delicate and durable. Clay holds the impressive capacity to be shaped and re-shaped again and again. It is soft and fragile but astoundingly resilient.
THE MASCOT BY DELANEY PLANT
16 min | United States
Charlie Bird rose to fame as Brigham Young University’s viral mascot, only to reveal a deeper truth beneath the mask—navigating life as an openly gay member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a church that both celebrates and excludes him.
THE RED BOOK BY JACK HESSLER, BRIAN DURKEE
7 min | United States
Something is missing in Dr. Graham’s life. When a patient unexpectedly shows up at his house, they have a peculiar conversation that makes Dr. Graham question his own morals.
VIRTUAL BY ALFONSO BELLOSO
12 min | United States
A young woman (Dolly) becomes obsessed with a virtual reality video game after she discovers that her best friend (Mary) exists inside of it.
We’ve Come a Long Way by Edgar Flores
7 min | United States
A conversation with senior members of the LGBTQ+ community, exploring how the universal need to express our identity can bring us together.
The Festival will be presented October 24–26 at Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. Tickets and more info at UTAHQUEERFILMFESTIVAL. ORG.
Kyle’s Bed & Breakfast by Greg Fox
37 Result of a split in a religious body
Solidly behind
“Same here!”
Charlotte of “Facts of Life” 45 With 55-Across, what elegance is, to Armani
Pull down
Stirred up
Make certain
The line in 20/20
They wave their sticks at Citi Field
55 See 45-Across
With 29-Across, what elegance is not, to Armani
Protected, to seamen
Kristy McNichol
7 Group that won’t pose for nude photos
8 “The Opposite of Sex” director Roos
9 And so 10 Ahab and Nemo
11 Like numerals such as 69
12 Queued up
13 Had an opening for 18 Namely
22 Capable of performing
25 Father of Princess Leia
28 Contraction in a carol about gay apparel
30 Areas for Dr. Kerry Weaver
32 Swelter on South Beach
33 Visitor to Uranus, perhaps
34 How the Fab Five would do it
35 Spot for a welcome mat
Lent beauty to, like Will’s old roomie? 2 Sales incentive
Is nuts over
Word on a can in a Warhol work 5 Audrey Hepburn role 6 “__ in Pink”
LGBTQ+ meetings: Sun. 3p Acceptance Group, All Saints, 1710 Foothill Dr
Tues. 7p Live & Let Live, Mt Tabor Tues. 7p Pride in Recovery, Narcotics Anon. UPC, 68 S Main
Wed. 7p Sober Today, 1159 30th St , Ogden
Wed. 7p Bountiful
Men’s Group, Am. Baptist, 1915 Orchard Dr, Btfl
Fri. 7p Stonewall Group, Mt Tabor Lutheran, 175 S 700 E
Crystal Meth Anon
crystalmeth.org
USARA, 180 E 2100 S Clean, Sober & Proud Sun. 1:30pm
Leather Fetish & Kink Fri. 8pm
Genderbands
genderbands.org
EQ @genderbands LifeRing Secular Recovery
801-608-8146
liferingutah.org
Weds. 7pm, Sat. 11am
How was your week?
First Baptist, 777 S 1300 E
LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapists Guild
lgbtqtherapists.com
* robin@lgbtqtherapists.com
YOUTH/COLLEGE
Encircle LGBTQ Family and Youth Resource Ctr
encircletogether.org
EQ @encircletogether
91 W 200 S, Provo, 190 S 100 E, St. George 331 S 600 E, SLC 81 E Center, Heber City Gay-Straight Alliance Network
gsanetwork.org
OUT Foundation BYU
theout.foundation
fb.me/theOUTfoundation
Salt Lake Community College LGBTQ+
slcc.edu/lgbtq/ UofU Student Pride Ctr Q uofupride
USGA at BYU
usgabyu.com
fb.me/UsgaAtByu Utah Valley Univ Spectrum
linktr.ee/spectrumqsa
uvu.edu/lgbtq/ * lgbt@uvu.edu
801-863-8885
Liberal Arts, Rm 126
Youth Discord Virtual Hangout
6p Wednesdays
Open to all youth 14-20. Email jay@ utahpridecenter.org to get access
Utah Pride Center
Weekly Programming
MONDAYS
QUEER WOMEN’S PEER SUPPORT GROUP, 7-8pm
Peer-led support group for queer women and fem-identifying people 18+.
TUESDAYS
GAY MEN’S SUPPORT GROUP, 6:30-8pm
Gay Men’s Peer Support Group is open to men ages 18+ who identify as gay, bisexual, or questioning. It is a peer-led support group with discussions guided by volunteer facilitators.
PRIDE IN RECOVERY, 7-8pm
Weekly Narcotics Anonymous recovery meeting for LGBTQ+ adults 18+.
WEDNESDAYS
GAY MEN’S SACK LUNCH, noon1pm
Bring your lunch and enjoy lively conversations with other guys in the community. Open to gay men 18+.
YOUTH DISCORD VIRTUAL HANGOUT, 6-8pm
A welcoming, virtual space where LGBTQ+ youth can come together to talk, share experiences, and support each other. Open to youth 14-20. Email Jay at jay@utahpridecenter.org to get access to the UPC Youth DiSCORD.
THURSDAYS
YOUTH IN PERSON DROP IN HOURS, 4-8pm
Looking for a place where you can curl up with a good book?
Check out the UPC History Library! Need a place to catch up on some homework? Check out our Computer Lab! Just wanna hang out with some friends…then UPC on Thursdays is the place to be!
Reoccurring Programming:
SIT & STITCH, 6-8pm 1st & 3rd Mondays
Get your stitch on with friends! Bring your knitting,
crochet, cross-stitch, or any other craft you’re working on. Meet new people, give/ receive crafting tips, and enjoy snacks, movies, and music in a safe, welcoming space. GET CONNECTED TO HEALTH INSURANCE, 4-6pm (every-other Tuesday, 7/8, 7/22, 8/5, 8/19) Utah Health Policy Project will help get you connected to an affordable health insurance plan no matter your current economic situation. Open to queer folx and allies. No appointment required.
THE PASTOR IS IN, 6-8pm, 1st & 3rd Tuesdays
LGBTQ+ affirming Pastor Curtis has been a long-time friend and advocate for our community. In his own words: “I am here to talk with you. To listen mostly, but to affirm who you are; to tell you that God loves you just the way you are.”
Monthly Programming:
GAME NIGHT (with Switch & VR): Second Wednesdays, 6-8pm
Bring your friends, games (board or video), snacks to share, or just your fabulous self. Join us for an all-ages, social game night at the new Utah Pride Center. We’ll have board games, card games, Nintendo Switch, VR games, new friends to meet, and a whole lotta fun. No registration required.
QUEER D&D NIGHT: Wed. 9/24, 6-8pm, A fabulous night of Dungeons & Dragons and other role playing games. No experience, equipment, or registration required.
BLOOD ON THE CLOCKTOWER : Wed. 7/30 6-8pm
Put your deduction and deception skills to work with a rousing game of “Blood on the Clocktower.” Can the townspeople stop the demon before it’s too late? Similar to the game “Mafia,” you will either be one of the faithful, innocent townsfolk working to stop the demon, or one of the evil forces picking them off one-by-one. Blood on the Clocktower is perfect for large groups, so bring all of your friends
and
admirers
are a social/service group for those that identify as men, organized to support and promote diversity, inclusion, foster positive involvement in our community, and provide opportunities which enhance the personal growth of our members, the Bear community, and the LGBT community as a whole.
Q mmunitycalendar
September
Saturday, Sept 27
SALT LAKE AIDS WALK | 11am–2pm | Liberty Park, Salt Lake City
The Salt Lake AIDS Walk returns as both a community celebration and a reminder of the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS. Hosted by UAF Legacy Health (formerly Utah AIDS Foundation), the event blends education and entertainment. Attendees will stroll through Liberty Park and explore interactive stations highlighting the history of HIV/ AIDS, advances in care and prevention, and the critical work UAF does today. After the walk, stick around for live drag performances, food trucks, and a chance to connect with community members. Family-friendly and free, with a free T-shirt for the first 150 registrants. Info at UAFHEALTH.ORG
SOUTHERN UTAH PRIDE IN THE PARK |
11am–5pm | JC Snow Park, St. George Southern Utah’s largest LGBTQ+ pride festival fills JC Snow Park with color, music, and celebration. Entertainment includes live performances from The Mended Hearts Club, Esera, Tuacahn cast members, and more. Food trucks and local vendors will showcase LGBTQ+ art, businesses, and causes. The event is designed as an inclusive, family-friendly day where everyone—queer folks, allies, families, and friends—can dance, relax, and celebrate visibility and love. Free and open to all ages. PRIDEOFSOUTHERNUTAH. ORG
SOUTHERN UTAH PRIDE AFTER PARTY | 8pm–late | Dixie Convention Center, St. George
Cap off Pride in St. George with a glowing dance party under blacklights and mirror balls. Hosted by Pride of Southern Utah, the after party is a 21+ event with DJs, drag shows, and light bites included with your ticket. Cocktails, mocktails, and soft drinks will be available at the cash bar from 9pm–midnight. Guests are encouraged to wear neon or white to shine on the dance floor. Tickets are $5 in advance or $10 at the door.
Tuesday, Sept 30 PRIDEOFSOUTHERNUTAH. ORG
GET CONNECTED WITH HEALTH INSURANCE | 4–6pm | Utah Pride Center, Salt Lake City
The Utah Pride Center partners with Utah Health Policy Project to make healthcare more accessible. This drop-in event offers guidance on finding and enrolling in affordable health insurance. No appointment necessary—just come with your questions and leave with personalized help. Especially useful for LGBTQ+ Utahns navigating coverage options. UTAHPRIDECENTER.ORG
October
Wednesday, Oct. 1
HAIRY SITUATION: A COMEDY SHOW BY ALOK Showtimes: 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Wiseguys Comedy Club, 194 S. 400 West ALOK (they/them) is an internationally acclaimed poet, comedian, public speaker, and actor whose work explores themes of gender, identity, and belonging. With celebrated books such as Beyond the Gender Binary, Femme in Public, and Your Wound, My Garden, ALOK has captivated audiences worldwide, performing in more than 40 countries. Their comedy special Biology! was executive produced by Christopher Guest, and they have appeared on HBO’s Sex Lives of College Girls, Hulu’s Planet Sex with Cara
Delevingne, and Netflix’s Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness. Don’t miss this chance to see ALOK live in Salt Lake City, bringing their sharp wit, heartfelt humor, and unapologetic truth to the Wiseguys stage. Tickets: $35 at WISEGUYSCOMEDY.COM
Thursday–Saturday, Oct 2–4
A weekend for wine lovers in the mountains, this three-day festival combines Grand Tastings, food pairings, and nature-inspired events like hikes with sommeliers. Attendees can meet vintners from around the world, explore seminars on winemaking and pairing, and enjoy live music in scenic Park City. Special dinners and “Best of Fest” tastings highlight rare bottles and 90+ rated wines. Tickets required. PARKCITYWINEFEST.COM
Friday, Oct 3
UNDERBEAR NIGHT WITH UTAH BEARS | 8pm–close | Club Try-Angles Utah Bears, Inc. hosts its monthly Bear Night with a playful twist: “UnderBear.” Guests are encouraged to show off their favorite underwear while dancing and mingling. Wear Utah Bears gear to skip the $5 cover. The night includes merch sales and opportunities to join or renew your Utah Bears membership. A social and body-positive space for the Bear community and allies. UTAHBEARS.COM
PARK CITY WINE FESTIVAL | Canyons Village, Park City
Sunday, Oct 5
DRAG BINGO: SPOOKY EDITION | Bar opens 2pm, Bingo ~3pm | Club Try-Angles, The Matrons of Mayhem bring a Halloween twist to their ever-popular drag bingo series. Expect hauntingly fun performances, themed cocktails, and bingo games that mix camp with competition. Bingo cards are $5 each and cover all seven games, with proceeds supporting local causes. Costumes encouraged for extra spooky flair. MATRONSOFMAYHEM.COM
Monday, Oct 6
SIT & STITCH | 6–8pm | Utah Pride Center, Salt Lake City
A relaxing community craft night where people bring their knitting, crochet, crossstitch, or other handiwork to share and socialize. With snacks, movies, and a warm atmosphere, this twice-monthly meetup is great for making new friends while working on projects. Free 2-hour parking is available at City Creek West Garage. UTAHPRIDECENTER.ORG
Saturday, Oct 11
EQUALITY UTAH ALLIES GALA 2025 FEATURING TIG NOTARO | 8pm (Reception 6:30pm) | Eccles Theater, Salt Lake City Equality Utah’s largest fundraiser and celebration, the Allies Gala is a glamorous evening highlighting LGBTQ+ Utahns, allies, and the fight for equality on Capitol Hill. This year’s theme, Rising Tides, invites attendees to dress in ocean-inspired fashion—from mythical mermaids to sailors to shimmering sea creatures. The highlight of the evening is a comedy performance by Tig Notaro, one of Rolling Stone’s “50 Best Stand-Up Comics of All Time.” The gala raises crucial funds for Equality Utah’s advocacy and education work.
EQUALITYUTAH.ORG
Friday, Oct 17
MATRONS OF MAYHEM DRAG BINGO
(Street Dawg Crew Benefit) | 7pm | First Baptist Church, Salt Lake City
A family-friendly evening of drag, camp, and charity hosted by the Matrons of Mayhem. This month’s proceeds benefit Street Dawg Crew of Utah, a nonprofit providing food and care for pets of people experiencing homelessness. Admission is $5 per card for seven games, with add-ons like Party Foul Insurance and the Flamingo Hat of Shame. Concessions like nachos and soft pretzels available. Alcohol-free and open to all ages. Friday, Oct 24 – Sunday, Oct 26 MATRONSOFMAYHEM.COM
UTAH QUEER FILM FESTIVAL | Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center Formerly known as Damn These Heels, the
Utah Queer Film Festival is the Mountain West’s longest-running LGBTQ+ film festival. Over three days, the festival presents a diverse lineup of international and independent films—features, shorts, and documentaries—focused on queer stories and creators. Each screening often includes Q&As, panels, and community events. Hosted by Utah Film Center. UTAHQUEERFILMFESTIVAL.ORG
Friday,
Oct 31
HALLOQUEEN BALL | 8pm–1am | Masonic Temple, Salt Lake City Utah’s biggest LGBTQ+ Halloween party returns with DJs, drag queens, and an epic costume contest with a $2,500 grand prize. Hosted at the historic Masonic Temple, this multi-floor party runs deep into the night with themed music and spooky vibes. Attendees must be 21+, and ticket sales benefit Utah Pride Center’s year-round programming. Costumes are a must—bring your fiercest look. UTAHPRIDE.ORG/EVENTS/ HALLOQUEEN-BALL
Recent events: Snowshoeing, Bingo, Valentines Pot Luck & Dance, Movie Night, Walking Groups, Theater groups
JOIN OUR GROUP OF ACTIVE OUT SENIORS
Our Vision is to reduce social isolation and loneliness, improve the health and well-being of older adults and to empower them to lead meaningful and connected lives in which they are engaged and participating in the community.
Our Mission is to reimagine aging by empowering older adults to live life to the fullest potential guided by these five pillars:
• Cherish the Journey
• Encourage the Body
• Inspire the Mind
• Nurture the Spirit
• Empower the Future Find us at
BY ED WALSH
Forthe uninitiated, Palm Springs, California, is the gayest city in the country. At least a third of the city’s population of 45,000 identifies as gay or lesbian. The desert city is just under a two-hour flight from Salt Lake City International Airport.
The city is preparing for a busy fall with Pride, Leather Pride, and Halloween. This fall, the city will also unveil a GIANT PERMANENT PRIDE FLAG , an LGBTQ+ monument, and welcome the reopening of the historic Plaza Theater with a premiere week of LGBTQ+ talent.
The Pride flag will be situated in downtown Palm Springs at the intersection of E. Arenas Road and Indian Canyon Drive, adjacent to the Arenas District, where most of the city’s LGBTQ+ bars, nightclubs, and gay-focused shops are situated. The flagpole will be 65 feet tall, and the flag will be 18 feet by 25 feet. It will be unveiled in
Palm Springs, the gayest city in the country
mid-October, before the Palm Springs Pride weekend, which begins Nov. 6.
The LGBTQ+ MONUMENT will incorporate the rainbow Pride colors with the Lambda and triangle symbols that were adopted by the gay community before the flag was created. It will be unveiled on Oct. 21 during the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association conference. The monument will be in Frances Stevens Park, a little over a half mile north of the Arenas District.
After being closed for more than a decade, the PLAZA THEATER , in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, reopens Dec. 2 with shows with Lily Tomlin, followed by a night with Billy Porter, a John Watters Christmas show, and rounding out the premier week will be lesbian comic Fortune Feimster.
The Greater Palm Springs area has more gay male resorts than any other place on the planet. Eleven are in Palm Springs, and one, the CCBC resort, is in neighboring Cathedral City. All the resorts are clothing-optional. Most
offer a free breakfast, and some throw in a free lunch. Palm Springs once supported three lesbian resorts, but they went mainstream years ago.
The fabulously gay SANTIAGO HOTEL is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The two-story hacienda-style property has an extra-large pool and offers one of the most picturesque mountain views of any of the gay resorts. Like its sister properties, TWIN PALMS and DESCANSO resorts, Santiago offers a free breakfast and lunch and free coffee, soft drinks, and snacks 24 hours a day. Santiago has a loyal following that keeps it busy even in the slower summer months.
The biggest cluster of gay resorts is in the Warm Sands neighborhood, just under a mile from the Arenas Road gay strip. That is where you will find EL MIRASOL VILLAS , CASA OLIVER , HACIENDA PALM SPRINGS , DESERT PARADISE , VISTA GRANDE RESORT, and INNDULGE . El Mirasol Villas is the most affordable, and Hacienda is the most luxurious and expensive. But all the resorts are first-rate.
CASA OLIVER is the newest gay hotel, opening in December 2024 in the space where All Worlds Annex used to be. The husband and wife owners are
Location of a giant, permanent flag on Arenas Rd.
already putting a number of upgrades into the property, with newly remodeled rooms, and plans will include a restaurant on the property. It is one of three Greater Palm Springs resorts that are open for day passes, starting at $25.
The other gay resorts offering day passes are CANYON CLUB HOTEL on Palm Canyon Drive, on the north end of downtown at just $15, and CATHEDRAL CITY BOYS CLUB in Cathedral City for $35 and $22 on Wednesdays. Canyon Club is the most affordable of all the resorts, with rates that start at $119.
The fabulous TRIANGLE INN in Palm Springs is owned by Michael Green and Stephen Boyd. The couple is well-known for their work in the community and for their support of other LGBTQ businesses. Green is the president of the Palm Springs Cultural Association. The property is an architectural gem. It gets its name from the triangle-shaped front of the hotel as well as the pink triangle symbol that the Nazis used to identify gays. The front of the hotel is framed by a gorgeous garden.
The aforementioned CCBC is the largest of the gay resorts, spread out on 3.5 acres. It includes the Runway bar and restaurant, which is open to both guests and non-guests. The resort hosts a number of special events that draw locals and tourists alike.
Nightlife
Most of the gay nightlife in the Greater Palm Springs area is on E. Arenas Road. That is where you will find HUNTERS , which includes a main bar area, dance space, and outdoor patio. Streetbar, which always seems to be packed and draws a loyal local crowd, DICK’S on Arenas (formerly Score and Eagle 510), BLACKBOOK famous for its upscale bar food, CHILL , and the video bar SPURLINE THE EVENING CITIZEN bar is purposely a little hard to find behind STREET BAR , which is because it is an old-fashioned speakeasy-type bar. There are no longer any lesbian bars since Delilah’s went out of business years ago, but Hunters and Toucans, on the north end of Palm Springs, are very women-friendly. The Dinah, which pro-
motes itself as the world’s largest lesbian and queer women’s event and music festival, runs Sept. 24 through Sept 29
THE TOOL SHED is on the edge of the Warm Sands neighborhood and is famous for its Thursday night underwear night.
Besides CCBC’s RUNWAY bar, Cathedral City is home to ONE ELEVEN BAR , a piano bar, and the ROOST LOUNGE , known for its karaoke and live entertainment. Cathedral City’s newest gay bar, EAGLE CATHEDRAL CITY, is scheduled to open sometime this winter in the space once occupied by the Barracks that shut down last year.
Sights
One of the newest attractions in Palm Springs began in December and is already among the hottest tickets in town. DRAG AND FLY TOURS are as entertaining as they are informative. The 90-minute tour is conducted in a 13-seat stadium seating bus, so everyone has the same good view. The tour is conducted by a drag queen and includes archival videos of some of the attractions that you will see along the way. It makes a quick pit stop on E. Arenas Road, where you will hear more about the city’s gayest block.
A must-see attraction is the PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY. It takes visitors through four seasons to the summit of Mt. San Jacinto in ten minutes. If you are visiting in the summer, it could be 120 degrees in Palm Springs but a comfortable 80 at the summit. At the top, you can have a meal, hike, and watch a very informative video on the construction of this engineering marvel. If you are visiting in the winter, you can bring or rent a sled or cross-country skis.
The TAHQUITZ CANYON is a great hike, especially in the spring and early summer when the snowmelt and consequently the 60-foot waterfall at the top of the trail is at full force. Once the waterfall dries up for the season, they put a sign in front of the entrance to the trail advising the hikers of that, so no one is disappointed. The property is part of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Reservation. They charge $15 for the hike, but worth it when the waterfall is flowing
The gay-friendly RED JEEP TOURS offers a number of tours to the San Andreas Fault, Painted Canyons, Joshua Tree, and Indian Canyons. You can see most of that stuff on your own as well, but a guide can show you some of the things you would miss on your own, like the Indian grinding holes, and the guides are good about pointing out the different desert plants.
Palm Springs closes its main drag, Palm Canyon Drive, in the heart of downtown every Thursday night for the street fair known as Village Fest. It runs 7–10 p.m. June-Sept and 6–10 p.m. the rest of the months. By the way, Palm Springs has two sunsets. The first sunset is when the sun goes behind the mountains to the west, putting the city in shade. Then, about an hour later, when the sun officially sets. So the Village Fest is shaded for at least an hour before sunset.
The PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM is free on Thursday nights from 5–8 p.m., so you can easily coordinate a trip to the museum with Village Fest. The museum’s focus is contemporary art and design. It currently has an LGBTQ exhibit on the first floor showcasing works by LGBTQ artists. Q
A Bromance Goes Dark:
Dylan O’Brien and James Sweeney talk queer grief in their genre-bending film ‘Twinless’ — and that leaked sex scene
CHRIS AZZOPARDI
By the time my conversation with Dylan O’Brien and James Sweeney wrapped, I was still trying to figure out how to categorize “Twinless” — and whether I even wanted to. The film, which premiered to buzzy acclaim at Sundance (and not without controversy, thanks to a leaked sex scene that derailed its digital run), is one of those rare cinematic experiences that hits like a jolt: unsettling, hilarious, devastating, and tender, sometimes all at once. That emotional rollercoaster is very much intentional, as I discovered while speaking with lead actor Dylan O’Brien (“Teen Wolf”) and writer-director-star James Sweeney. Sweeney explained, “There’s a support group” for all those feelings — perfectly in tune with the film’s tone. Even offering a brief summary feels like revealing too much. In fact, this interview contains some light spoilers, so consider yourself warned. Here’s what we can openly share: Sweeney plays Dennis, who meets Roman (O’Brien) at a grief support group. Both are coping with the loss of a twin, and O’Brien also portrays Rocky, Roman’s late gay brother. What began as Sweeney’s personal rumination on identity, loss, and the unique grief of twinhood evolved into a bold, genre-blurring narrative that avoids
easy labels — both in plot and in tone. But how do you promote a film that’s better left unspoiled? As it turns out, that question is one of many the duo navigated with humor, honesty, and surprising vulnerability. Over the course of our interview, they opened up about everything from the film’s intimate emotional core to their unexpected off-screen bond — and yes, even their mutual failure to watch “Steel Magnolias.”
I’ve been thinking about how hard it is to talk about this film without giving too much away — even just writing about it feels tricky. How are you navigating that line during this press tour?
SWEENEY: It has been a… oh, what’s the idiom I’m looking for? A tight needle to thread? [Laughs.]
O’BRIEN : A hard line to straddle?
SWEENEY: Gosh, we’re both having a Roman moment. [Both laugh.] One thing that we discovered at Sundance was how wonderful it is for people to go in completely blind and we’re trying as much as we can to preserve that experience for audiences.
O’BRIEN : But there’s also a wide appeal that we obviously want to net from this. We really want as many people as [possible] to go see it. But then we’re also begging them to ask for no other information than that. [Laughs.]
SWEENEY: Just trust.
O’BRIEN : A real tough sell. If we’re trying to sell this story for wide appeal, we should talk about the sex scene, right?
SWEENEY: I mean, that’s kind of what happened in January.
O’BRIEN : Yeah, it’s already out there. So that one we don’t have control over.
When a sex scene from the film was leaked online, causing Sundance to quickly remove the entire film from its digital roster, what did that feel like to go through in real time?
SWEENEY: I think [Dylan] got more respect out of the situation than I did. [Laughs.] I wasn’t even getting named half the time.
O’BRIEN : On behalf of James, I think he shared a lot of feelings with me about it that I was sensitive to. I’m not really online, but it obviously saddens me. There were so many people, too, who were like, “Oh, I wanted to see your movie at Sundance, but they pulled it off.” I was like, damn, I really wish people understood, even just outside preserving the integrity of our film and the fact that it’s a spoiler, and that it’s best to go in completely blind. And that was tough. You try to look on the bright side and maybe, at least, it points people in the direction of our film.
SWEENEY: It creates a liminal awareness.
O’BRIEN : Which we do ultimately want. James, this film feels personal, as you
wrote and directed it and also star in it. What sparked your creativity here?
SWEENEY: I feel connected to all the work that I write, and there’s not always a role that I could play, but I guess that’s just kind of my writing process. It’s a combination of pulling from the personal and infusing it with the imaginative. This came from being very interested in twins and their psychology and identity. I think when I first heard about a twin support group, it did strike me as such a profound, deeply tragic loss because it is also about a loss of self, and that just felt like a really robust theme to explore in a film. And my boyfriend, who is an identical twin, had recently broken up with me, and that kind of spurred some childhood memories of wishing I had a twin. What was it like for you to direct something so emotionally complex, but also be so in the story?
SWEENEY: The heavier moments are more challenging — they feel like they ask more of me emotionally. I’m particularly thinking of the climax scene in the hotel room. That was one where I did feel the strain between actor and director, and being able to compartmentalize those two sides of my responsibilities.
Dylan, you also have a powerful scene, where you tell Dennis what you wish you could say to your late twin brother. How did you approach that scene emotionally?
O’BRIEN : I had so much connection at this point to the story and to the role and so much investment emotionally to what we were making, and that scene was
toward the end. It was also so beautifully written by James, and I never wanted to change a word of it from the first time I read it. I don’t memorize word for word, but this is one I wanted to memorize and honor verbatim. I just thought it was so human and beautifully written in that way. It was the most in touch I’ve ever felt as an actor and one of the things I’ll forever be most proud of in my entire life, let alone career.
What kind of process was required of you to play both Roman and Rocky?
O’BRIEN : I think I’ve been different people at different times in my life, especially when you’re growing up and you’re figuring out who you are. Most people are really surprised to hear me describe myself as a really quiet and shy kid. So I have sort of that Roman internalism in me that I know so dearly. But I know very well that that’s not how I’m perceived.
I do also have these Rocky qualities, and I thought it was really interesting to sort of apply them to a gay character. We have these effeminate qualities that a lot of straight men don’t embrace in themselves or that you’re taught not to, but I’ve always been quite in touch with my femininity, and especially as I got into adulthood. So it felt quite natural to become both of these guys. And then I just had such an implicit trust for James, which was so freeing. Wait, does that mean that if you have some similarities with these characters that you have not seen “Steel Magnolias” in real life?
O’BRIEN : At least you caught that. I feel like
so many people miss that line.
SWEENEY [ashamedly whispering]: I actually haven’t seen “Steel Magnolias.”
O’BRIEN : I haven’t either! [Both laugh.]
I like that Dylan was delaying until James answered.
O’BRIEN : I was sweating. [Laughs.]
SWEENEY: I got shamed for it once, which is where that line came from.
O’BRIEN : We should watch it one night. Where did the bond between you two start?
O’BRIEN : It hasn’t yet. [Laughs.]
SWEENEY: Still waiting.
O’BRIEN : Any fucking day now. [Laughs.]
SWEENEY: I’m just going through the chronology.
O’BRIEN : We want to give you a more interesting answer than the one we’ve been giving. We’re very different in so many ways, but we also have a lot of similarities in terms of experiences. We’ve both experienced loneliness in our childhood before. We’ve both experienced having to adapt to a new environment and being uprooted. We both value very similar things in our relationships and our friendships. I think we really kind of share such a DNA in so many ways that enabled us to, just through effortless conversation, talk about how we feel about the world and our life and friends and movies, whatever. We
can talk to each other for a long time. As a queer boy, hearing a straight guy speak so openly and tenderly about his queer friend feels like it would have been the dream. James, what makes your bond with Dylan feel special to you? O’BRIEN : Growing up, I did gravitate toward more female friendships, but it’s been interesting how I’ve now grown into so many straight male friendships. As you were saying, it’s like when you’re young and you’re fearing rejection, from elementary through high school, a fear of exclusion, a fear of being identified as being gay or being called out for not fitting in the group or being one of the boys. I never felt like one of the boys, and I’ve always felt more comfortable one-on-one. And it’s been interesting how that has evolved. One thing I love about this movie is that it’s a friendship movie. I love bromance movies and comedies about friendship. And obviously, this goes in different directions, but it’s something that I don’t think we see enough of. And I wouldn’t necessarily pinpoint Roman and Dennis as the ideal role models of male friendship, but I do think there are a lot of qualities that their friendship portrays that I hope people can think about and hopefully find in their personal lives. Dylan, with “Twinless” coming out not long after “Ponyboi,” I’m curious — what draws you to work that is queer and is led by queer filmmakers?
O’BRIEN: I think it might follow a DNA of what I’m drawn to in the qualities of people in my friendships. River [Gallo, the writer of “Ponyboi”] became family to me. And again, they’re someone I can just gab with for hours. They are blood to me. I guess these friendships oftentimes exist in spaces I feel safe in. But both of these films are also two scripts I read and instantly was like, this is unbelievable regardless. I follow what my heart’s drawn to and spaces that I feel safe in and people that I feel inspired by, and if I can have any hand in going on that ride and empowering [people], that’s just a bonus. Q
Chris Azzopardi is the editorial director of Pride Source Media Group and Q Syndicate. He has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.
LGBT OLDER ADULTS AND DEMENTIA
LGBT people have greater health disparities, many of which are risk factors for dementia, including:
l Depression
l Obesity
l Alcohol and tobacco
l Lower rates of preventive screenings
l Cardiovascular disease
l HIV/AIDS
Age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease
An estimated 2.7million LGBT people are over age 50
7.4% of the lesbian, gay and bisexual older adult population is living with dementia
LGBT adults living with dementia face unique challenges in accessing support: Up to 30%experience lower rates of access to care
40%report that their support networks have become smaller over time Alzheimer’s is the most expensive disease in the nation
$ $ $
51%of LGBT older people report being very concerned about having enough money to live on
34% live alone
Fear of discrimination can delay access to care
40% say their health care providers don’t know their sexual orientation
support and resources.
Thethe perils of petunia pap smear
The tale of The Walmart Waltz
BY PETUNIA PAP SMEAR
road to Walmart is fraught with danger and excitement.
The other day, I received a text message from the pharmacy informing me that I had two prescriptions ready to pick up. So, I donned one of my best go-to-town shopping frocks, a freshly styled beehive wig adorned with a fabulous say-something-hat complete with a purple feather and a black lace veil which could cover my eyes in the unlikely event that my mascara would run. I jumped (stumbled) into Queertanic, my land yacht, and headed off to The Walmart.
Upon parking the car in the handicap “Princess Parking” space, I was overjoyed because there, right next to the car, was one of those motorized shopping carts. In the past, I’ve tried shopping while driving Queerteeny, my personal mobility scooter, but alas, Queerteeny’s basket is barely large enough to carry a bottle of glitter and a dozen cookies. I gladly mounted the scooter cart and headed into the store.
As I approached the automatic doors with the bravado of a soap opera matriarch ala Alexis Carrington, the wheels on the cart began squealing in protest about the heavy load they were carrying. The fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting an unflattering glow upon my feathered hat and the matching sequined purse I insist is “vintage.” The Walmart air was electrified with the buzz of the fluorescent lights and the faint scent of automotive aisle rubber. I glided past the towers of cereal boxes, waving regally at the astounded muggles — well, an older woman wearing a housecoat with curlers in her hair, and a door greeter adjusting his badge. I paused dramatically at the pharmacy counter, where a display of lip balm attempted to seduce me with promises of “irresistible shimmer.” The pharmacist, professional yet clearly delighted by my ensemble, handed over my prescriptions as if bestowing a royal scepter, perfect for this queen. With my medication and treasures securely in the basket, I set course for adventure through the home goods section, prepared to battle the
temptations of rhinestone toilet brush holders and velvet storage bins. But my true mission: to locate the world’s largest value pack of under-eye concealer and perhaps, if fate allowed, a pair of novelty socks featuring dancing flamingos.
Between the luggage and the laundry aisle, disaster struck. I spied with my little eye a very handsome store employee. The blue Walmart vest stunningly accentuated his piercingly brilliant blue eyes under his casually tossed mop of blond hair. Just as I began to get close enough to be able to read ‘Glen’ on his name tag, he disappeared around the corner. My old park cruising instincts kicked in, and therefore, I followed as fast as this clunking scooter could. As I rounded the corner, there was another customer in my way, and I was forced to cut the corner too sharply. The rear wheel of my scooter got caught under the shelves, and my scooter screeched to a halt.
Unfazed, I pressed on. I hit the accelerator, hoping the scooter could break free of the shelving unit. Then I tried to reverse, but the wheel groaned, refusing to budge from its metal embrace. The housecoat lady shuffled by, offering the sort of look reserved for televised train wrecks, and Glen, the Adonis in question, was nowhere to be found. I debated waving for help, but dignity prevailed, barely. Reaching into my sequined purse, I produced a neon-pink lipstick, just in case rescue required a dazzling distraction.
Then all hell broke loose as the scooter suddenly lurched forward, bringing the entire shelving unit crashing to the floor, dumping its contents of shampoos and moisturizers all over the place. With queenly poise in my predicament, I considered the three options before me: call for assistance, perform a daring sideways dismount, or simply declare my sovereignty over Aisle Twelve and await a loyal subject to come to my aid. As fate, or perhaps karma, would have it, the kerfuffle had sent a can of “Extreme Hold” hair spray tumbling off the shelf and onto my lap. Never one to ignore the whims of fortune, I took it as a sign: this was no moment for retreat.
With a deep breath and a flick of my wrist (careful not to smudge my eyeliner), I gave the accelerator one last, dramatic push. The scooter lurched, shrieked, and finally broke free in a maneuver I can only describe as the Walmart Waltz.
I sped off with a confidence that bordered on Thelma and Louise.
With barely a moment to compose myself, I glanced up to see a small child pointing at me with the awed reverence usually reserved for circus elephants and minor celebrities. I gave a regal nod, reapplied my neon-pink lipstick, and decided there would be no shame in limping toward the exit with whatever dignity I could salvage.
I never did find Glen, though the legend of his dazzling blue eyes would linger long after the last beep of the scooter faded. As I maneuvered toward the check-out, dreams of novelty socks and rhinestone toilet brush holders undiminished, I made a mental note to add “emergency hazard lights” to Queerteeny’s wish list, just in case destiny called for another adventure among the fluorescent-lit aisles of possibility.
This story leaves us with several important questions:
1. Do I need to take mobility scooter driving lessons?
2. Does Walmart offer a “glamorous escape artist” certification, complete with glittering merit badges and a sash worthy of a pageant queen?
3. Is there a secret handshake for those who’ve survived the shampoo avalanche of Aisle Twelve?
4. What’s the etiquette for tipping a door greeter who witnessed my most dramatic exit since that time I mistook the seafood freezer for a karaoke stage?
5 Was Glen real, or was he a figment conjured by a combination of antihistamines and Extreme Hold hair spray?
These and other eternal questions will be answered in future chapters of The Perils of Petunia Pap Smear
