Homosexual Recruitment Drive!

The Village and Utah AIDS Foundation need a few good men! No, you won't get a toaster oven, but you will get good karma!

Pride Parade and Booths
We need 100 peeps to walk in the parade and hand out condoms or volunteer for our Village and Testing Booths. Call or e-mail Jeremiah to sign up.

Condom Delivery Guy
Responsibility: Help the Village give out 70,000 condoms this year by dropping off condoms and lube at the clubs once a month (for passive distribution)and fostering positive relationships with bar managers and owners. Report back to Jeremiah. Smile knowing you made someone's day safer and sexy.

Core Group
Alternate Wednesdays @ 6pm
SL Roasting Co. (320 E 400 S)
We plan and carry out Village Events and Condom Outreach. Want to start a soccer group? Create a new condom ad? This is the place for you. Coffee provided.

Spring Sports Roundup

After THE WINTER THAT WOULD NOT DIE, Salt Lake's weather is finally heating up and the mountains are showing off a brief flash of green before settling on dark brown. Spring is here and there are more opportunities than ever to get outdoors and enjoy some friendly homo competition.

Here's a list of current queer sports offerings here in the valley:

Flag Football
Thursdays @ 6pm
Sugarhouse Park Softball Field
Open Play until Pride. This is open to players of all skill levels and is a great opportunity to learn the game. League Play will start after Pride (also on Thursdays 6pm)

Ultimate Frisbee
Sundays @ 2pm
Liberty Park (northeast side)
What: Open play. Ultimate frisbee is easy to learn and a great way to enjoy the spring weather on a Sunday. Everyone is welcome to come and play!

QUAC Swim Team
Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 7pm
Sundays @ 11am
Fairmont Aquatic Center (1044 E 2225 S)
Queer Utah Aquatics Club invites you to join their team. All swimmers of any skill level, even individuals who would like to learn, are welcome.

QUAC Water Polo
Fridays @ 6:30pm
Skyline High School (3251 E 3760 S)
Sundays @ Noon
Fairmont Aquatic Center (1044 E 2225 S)

Pride Softball
Sundays @ 10am-2pm
Valley Complex 5135 South 2700 West
Its too late to sign up to play, but you can still show up to support your teams.

Basketball
Sundays @ 1pm
HPER Gym on the University of Utah campus.
Contact Jeff angst2008@gmail.com or at 801.598.3844 for more information.

Volleyball
Begins June 11 @ 6:30pm
Liberty Park
Open play typically attracts a good crowd when the weather is nice.

Hiking
The first and third Saturday of every month.

Did I miss one? E-mail me or add it to the comments section.

"Grow Your Own" Workshop

Learn how to grown your own produce! Plants, container and soil provided and free lunch following workshop.

When: Wednesday, May 21 @ 11:00am
Where: Utah AIDS Foundation
RSVP: Duane 801-487-2323
Sponsored by Utah State University and Master Gardeners Association

Making AIDS Disappear

Last week, over 15 PPAU and UAF staff volunteers met to prepare materials for an on-campus social marketing art project to raise awareness about HIV rates among women in Utah. Volunteers constructed a red wall that spelled AIDS out of baggies of Planned Parenthood's Proper Attire condoms and UAF's free testing cards, so as people walked by and took the condoms, it made "AIDS" disappear.

May Village Sexytime Health Fest!

(photo courtesy FeastofFools)
Sexual Health is nothing to be scared of!

Its a double whammy sexytime night of joy! If you are gay and enjoy man on man lovin, then you should get vaccinated for Hepatitis B. Typically this is an expensive proposition, but we got your back. We've joined up with Planned Parenthood to provide you free Hep B Vaccinations on Monday, May 19th.

Come to the Utah AIDS Foundation for free Hep B vaccinations from 5pm-7pm and then join us at Rodizio Grill for a free Dinner and Discussion. Presenter Peter Prutch is a Nurse Practicioner from Denver, Colorado and will lead a balls to the wall Q & A on gay men, HIV and STD's. Come hungry and ready for an in-depth discussion on this important issue facing our community.

Village Sexytime Health Fest!

COST: Free!

WHEN: Monday, May 19th

Hep B Vaccinations

5-7pm @ Utah AIDS Foundation (1408 S 1100 E)

Dinner and Discussion

7pm-9pm @ Rodizio Grill (459 Trolley Square)
RSVP Jeremiah

Dinner and discussion sponsored by GSK!

Commitment-phobic?

SLC's Mutual Commitment Registry is now open but according to QSaltLake, only one couple has registered (the fabulous Brandie Balken and her partner Lisa LeDuc.) So hey, where's the love? Do you plan to register or do you know anyone who has? If not, how come? What is the general feeling about the registry out in the Gayborhood?

The Way We Were

Ah - History Class. Those were the days. Chapter after chapter of powder wigs, Manifest Destiny and the Cuban missile crisis. It always struck me as somewhat odd that the only mention of the Queer community came in the eleventh grade. Two or three lines under the 1960's section that read something like: "Stonewall: It happened. Thus began the gay rights movement."

So the Gay rights movement didn't get started until the late 60's? And we're defined as a community that didn't exist until we wanted our rights? Weren't many great artists, writers, poets, musicians, and world leaders gay or bi? Oscar Wilde, Frida Kahlo, Michelangelo, Walt Whitman, Richard the Lionhearted, Julius Ceasar? Yet their lovers, their attractions and relationships, are conveniently left out of our history books.

I'm dismayed that so much of Queer history is omitted, deleted or missing. I mean, weren't there formal and informal Queer groups in the U.S. as early as the 1920's? According to SFgate, San Francisco, a.k.a. "Sodom by the Sea," was known for its alternative sexuality even before the turn of the century, and saw a huge influx of gay servicemen after WWII.

I think it's significant that several minority communities have worked to reclaim their history from American and World history textbooks. A few questions we can ask ourselves and others as we reclaim our queer history: Why is it a subject worth delving into? What does the future have in store for us and what part do we see ourselves playing in creating queer history? Check out this great site learn more about queer history.

Josh Newbury leads Coffee Talk on Wednesdays @ 7pm @ the Salt Lake Roasting Company. This week's discussion: "The Expectations of Others..." How are we "supposed" to behave, talk, dance, dress, live? How do we manage these expectations and where do they come from? Join us for another lively conversation with great guys and good coffee.

Be a Village Summit Presenter!

2008 PRESENTER APPLICATION

We want YOU to present at The Village Summit! The Summit is set for August 1st – 3rd, 2008, at the Jewish Community Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. This is the eighth in an annual series of such events, known as “Invenio” through 2006.

Workshops are scheduled for the morning and afternoon of Saturday, August 2, 2008. Saturday is the only day workshops presentations are scheduled. We hope that you will take advantage of the other events on Friday and Sunday as a Summit participant.

We have chosen “Pride Elevated” as the theme for 2008 Village Summit. We will have approximately 20 workshops in varied lengths of 1engths of 1 hour, 1.5 hours and 2 hours. Please let us know the length of workshops you prefer and whether you prefer morning or afternoon. You are invited to apply to present one or more workshops. Note that the length and time of your workshop(s) are subject to change as we firm up the schedule, but that you will be notified by us of any changes as soon as possible.

In keeping with the “Pride Elevated” theme, we believe that “Pride” comes from within. As gay men, we can affect community pride positively only when we have a stronger, more authentic view of who we are as individuals. Pride is informed by the intersection of the three parts of ourselves – our body (physical), soul (self) and our relationships (community). When developing your workshops, we encourage you to address your topic from this framework.

Please submit the following information by May 15, 2008 for consideration:
Introduction: please include your name, education, profession, accomplishments, or any other information giving credence to your selected topic.
Include an agenda and brief summary of your presentations(s). Try to make your summary as concise as possible. Remember, your presentation should be interactive and discussion or movement based, not a lecture format.
Include any audio/visual equipment, materials and copies (handouts) you’ll need for your presentation. Please remember that in the past seven Summits, the most successful workshops have been highly interactive and discussion based – the focus is really to provide an opportunity for gay men to talk about topics they would not normally have a chance to discuss in other settings.
Include a photograph of yourself to be used in promotion and on our website (recommended, but not required).

When completed, please submit your packet via email at cinetri@gmail.com. If you have questions, feel free to call David Ferguson at (801) 455 – 5506. We will review all applications and get back to you by the end of May 2008.

Stages of Love

New love is perfection in its essence. It makes your heart race thinking of your beloved. All imperfections disappear. The beauty of love makes logic no longer have value. Your heart guides you where it desires.

Young love grown with time is frightened. Imperfections that have always existed begin to appear from their veil. Every opportunity to flee acts as a catalyst that must be struggled against. The struggle is won or lost by the force of will. Win or lose, we grow.

Adolescent love heals the pains of growing. The perfection is lost but new strength is found. Through this time, the love is gentle and passionate. Fears begin to wain. Trust grows.

Mature love is flexible and strong. Knowing that the future is secure makes the love blossom. The perfection of new love returns. Difference is embraced. Mature love seems impossible to attain but is worth the work and effort. Mature love is true and lasting love.

-Michael Whitworth, local guy reflecting on his relationship.

Another AIDS Casualty

Dr. Ramon Torres was a hero on the front lines against the epidemic for over a decade. It was when the war began to be won that he got lost.

"It was a frigid morning last December, and the disheveled man standing before Judge James Gibbons had made his way to the second floor of 100 Centre Street in a thin nylon windbreaker, ill-fitting designer jeans, and a pair of torn jackboots—something out of an old S&M catalogue—which he had accessorized with a wide leather cuff snapped on his wrist. At first he was trembling, as if from the cold. Then the trembling subsided, and his eyelids fell. Dr. Ramon A. “Gabriel” Torres, a near-legendary doctor in the fight against AIDS, had fallen asleep on his feet."

Read the rest of the article here. It's a tragic story of heroism, the lure of meth to gay men and people with HIV, and the aftermath of the worst years of the epidemic. Kudos to Lifelube for the heads up.

Drag Racing

Cowboy Kickoff BBQ!

Click on the posters to "embiggen!"

He's a Top. Tops Can't Get It.

(Joel here. This blog post is designed to stimulate conversation, so you are not only welcome but encouraged to comment either anonymously or by name)

This phrase was on the streetside billboard just above an erotic picture of two men embracing, part of an advertising campaign in San Francisco that greatly impacted me in the late 1990s. I was lost in the city, busy drowning out a lifetime of sexual repression, but the billboard woke me up and made me think twice. I went and got tested and made a pact to myself to be more conscious and knowledgeable about the decisions I made with my sexual partners.

That ad campaign may have saved my life.

So for this week’s question that I would LOVE TO HAVE AS MANY COMMENTS AS POSSIBLE… I ask this question: “Have you been impacted by a public service ad campaign about HIV/AIDS or drug use that made you think twice about the decisions you make?"

Joel Shoemaker heads up the Scene Team for IN Utah this Week.

Ultimate Frisbee

When: Sunday @ 2pm

Where: Liberty Park (northeast side)

What: Open play. Ultimate frisbee is easy to learn and a great way to enjoy the spring weather on a Sunday. Everyone is welcome to come and play!

Be Gay

Gay Movie Night! Beefcake!

2 for 1 tickets! Food and prizes after the film!
Sponsored by Mountain West Flag Football.

What Happens in Vegas.....Doesn't Always Stay in Vegas.

Hey boys...Going on vacation is suppose to be about getting away from it all, leaving our stress and worry behind...right? I'm all about letting my hair down and getting my groove on when out of town. An ad campaign I ran across recently is really HOT, and gave me something to think about for my next vacation.

Last year Swiss health officials did a study to find out why people put themselves at risk for HIV; especially when they know how to protect themselves. What they found out is that many of us are taking the idea of vacationing, to get away from it all, a little too far. Their study found a proportionate number of people who were recently infected with HIV had their only risk for HIV occur on a business trip or holiday.

I think on some level we have known this for sometime here in the states. This is evident when you look at programs in gay vacations hot spots; like Camp Safe in Rehoboth Beach. Camp Safe's entire focus is helping people "get off" while on vacation and not taking home any unwanted visitors. Kinda cool....

To increase awareness about taking condoms on vacation and wrapping it up while you're there, the Swiss put out a sexy and somewhat racy ad campaign. The campaign shows people having sex in odd locations, in the jungle, in a cave and even on Mars. The visuals remind people to pack a little something extra when leaving town...condoms.

What about us Utah boys though...what if we never go to a gay hot spot? Last October in Puerto Vallarta I never came across anyone in a boy scout uniform on the beach handing me a condom. I was just going down to relax and drink too much with friends...it never occurred to me, in my wildest fantasy, that my boy and I would end up with some random boy from Seattle naked in our room.

Just something to think about when your packing for your next trip out of town. Throw in a box of condoms...they'll help stop any unwanted souvenirs.If you would like to check out the website for the Swiss campaign you can visit http://www.stopaids.ch/.

Tyler Fisher has worked for the Utah AIDS Foundation, SLVHD, Harm Reduction Project, and Project Reality. Have a question about sex? E-mail him.

Gay Mormons to meet with LDS Church Officials

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- After decades of silence, LDS church officials have agreed to meet with a gay Mormon support group that has sought to forge understanding between the faith's leaders and its gay members.

"We're pleased the Church is opening up the possibility for dialogue," said Dave Melson, Affirmation's assistant executive director. "Affirmation has tried 5 or 6 times over the past 31 years to meet with church leaders. This is their second response. The first resulted in platitudes and nothing more."

Among the specifics Affirmation wants to address: the historical treatment of gays by the Church, including recommendations for aversion therapies to "cure" homosexuality; recommendations for more effective counseling methods; ways to avoid family break-ups; and a change in the honor code at church-owned Brigham Young University that can result in expulsion for sexually active gay students. The same standard applies to straight students.

"None of this requires a change in doctrine," said Melson. "They're good for both gays and the Church."

Your comments? Read the full story here.

Flag Football is back!

Click on the image to "embiggen!"

Mountain West Flag Football is starting its new season this Thursday! Open play runs from April 10-June 5 and is open to guys (and the ladies) of all experience levels. This is an easy way to get to know the game, learn the rules, and meet new guys. League play begins June 12th.

When: Thursdays @ 6pm

Where: Sugarhouse Park softball field

Click here for more info.

Queer Village Wins FAABULOUS Award!

Queer Village has been voted 'Most Faabulous Social Group' in Q Salt Lake's Annual Fabby Awards Poll, voted by ballot and turned in by Q Salt Lake readers! Check out the full list of award winners when the April 10th edition hits newsstands.

The award ceremony, with food and a cash bar will be held at The Trapp Door on Friday, April 11th, from 7PM to 8:30PM. Hope to see you there!

What Do Gay Men Need?

I'm Joshua Newbury, and this is my blog post. Hmm, I sound like I'm at an AA meeting.

What do gay men need?

That's the question I put forward at last week's Coffee Talk. What could everyday life be like if we lived in an 'ideal' society? The responses I got centered around several needs:

• Equality-gay men want the same rights as straight men, No more, no less. That includes freedom from discrimination because of our sexual orientation, freedom to marry the man we love, and little things like being able to hold hands in public without fear of being gay bashed.
• Family-we want to be able to experience love and relationships in an open and affirming environment. We need to feel like we belong in our family and we want to create our own families.
• Heroes-we need positive gay role models in our life, from older men who can share their experiences from the school of hard knocks, to athletes with the balls to come out before they retire, to "out" gay politicians and leaders from both polical parties. We also need media representations that move beyond gay stereotypes and portray being gay as simply one part of who we are.

Once we know what we need - more or less - how can we get it. We have to ask ourselves what we can change and what we are willing to achieve those changes. Do we need to run for public office? Risk our bodies or comfort? Do more of us need to come out of the closet? We have to think about what action we can-or are-taking to secure the things we need to be happy and healthy. That's social work 101, champs.

Josh is a student at the U of U and leads Village Coffee Talk discussions on Wednesdays @ 7pm @ SL Roasting Company.

The Eyes of Babylon

Friday, April 4th @ 8pm

Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center

Steven Fales (Mormon American Princess) has been kind enough to donate 10 free tickets to Friday's performance of THE EYES OF BABYLON, Iraq Veteran Jeff Key's award-winning, critically acclaimed autobiographical one-man play. The play, and Jeff, were the subject of the documentary SEMPER FI, which was shown at last Monday's Gay Movie Night.

If you would like a ticket, RSVP Jeremiah. First come first served. Click here for reviews.