HIV Stigma in the Queer Community
HIV Knows No Boundary: Do you know how to keep yourself safe while still have fun during sex? Do you want more information about HIV? Would you like to discuss the challenges and struggles that people face who are living with HIV? If so, this workshop is for you. Whether you are HIV positive or negative, this workshop is designed to open up your mind about HIV and work towards building a more unified GLBT community here in SLC.
Presented by: Joshua Bytendarp
Location: Utah Pride Center Multi-Purpose Room
When: Feb 18th, 3pm
This event is FREE
Buy Flowers, Support Utah Pride
Twig
s Flower Company will be donating the profits from all flower orders placed between now and Sunday, February 5th to the Utah Pride Center.
To participate in this fantastic promotion, please visit Twigs Flower Company on the web and place your order. Be sure when checking out to mention the Utah Pride Center in the Special Instructions section to make sure your order is credited properly.
Not only will your order go to support the Utah Pride Center, but you will also recieve free shipping by ordering online.
ALSO: If you are wanting to order flowers for Valentines Day, you can place your order by Sunday and have them delivered on Valentines Day.
Thank you for your support!
Pink Japan: Contemporary S3x Culture
January 30th at the Utah Pride Center 6-8pm
Cost $10
Presenter Midori
What exotic erotic adventures happen behind the closed doors of Japan? Come to this fascinating presentation and find out!
From cuisine, music, fashion, technology to anime, Japan's cultural influences on the West is immense. In many ways the Japanese er0tic cultures also influence today's Western tastes. Yet the daily realities of Japan's s3xual habits, s3xual consumer culture, gender relations, and s3nsual subcultures world remain hidden to us, creating an aura of mystique. In this funny and insightful presentation, join Midori for a double-expatriate's personal tour of Japan's hidden s3xual culture today. Come early to browse through her collection of naughty magazines, rare books, unusual flyers and other goodies from Japan. Midori is a Kyoto born, Tokyo-raised, Japanese-American author and s3x educator based in San Francisco. She is well versed with the contradiction that is 21st Century Japan and possesses a keen insight into culture and sexuality.
"Midori's Pink Japan presentation was a perfect fit for the Center for S3x & Culture: full of detailed information about s3xuality in contemporary Japan that we wouldn't get anywhere else, through the unique lens of Midori's own interests, expertise, and bi-cultural history. It's an engaging and informational show." -- Carol Queen, Ph.D. Director, Center for S3x & Culture, [www.sexandculture.org] [http://www.sexandculture.org/].
Alison Beddard & Ken Kimball Newly elected to Utah Pride Center Board of Directors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 3, 2012 – Salt Lake City, UT
Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (801) 403-1038
Alison Beddard & Ken Kimball Newly Elected to Utah Pride Center Board of Directors
The Utah Pride Center today announced the election of two Utah business professionals to its non-profit Board of Directors – Alison Beddard and Ken Kimball. Both will serve three-year terms.
Since 2005, Alison Beddard has worked as a successful commercial real estate broker with Commerce Real Estate Solutions in Salt Lake City. For many years, Alison has also been a key committee member for the annual Utah Pride Center Golf Classic. In addition to serving on the UPC Board of Directors, Alison will also serve as president of the local chapter of Crew Utah in the upcoming year – more evidence of her positive influence and respect in the local business and real estate community. (CREW Utah is a chapter of CREW Network that exists to advance the success of women in commercial real estate.)
Ken Kimball, who relocated to his home state of Utah during 2011, brings a strong business acumen and an entrepreneurial presence to the UPC board. Ken works with First Financial Group and is owner and president of Alligator Press, an independent book publisher, which specializes in Hispanic and Queer cultural issues and themes. During 2011, Ken was the project lead for the inaugural UPC National Coming Out Day event - Pink Dot. Ken will serve on the UPC Executive Committee as Treasurer.
Utah Pride Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to be a catalyst for building and celebrating the strength, equality, dignity and self-determination of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer community throughout Utah. UPC is committed to excellence in execution and the continuing improvement of all programs, services, education and advocacy. UPC values and support individuals, families, and allies and building partnerships across communities.
Making Our Community Better by Changing Hearts and Mind
Message from Nikki Boyer and Valerie Larabee:
During this time of year, we both like to take time to look around our lives and be reminded all of the things for which we are thankful. Whether that is the ability to play in the dirt (Nikki), discovering that cool new electronic device (Valerie) or spending quality time with our friends and loved ones, we are thankful.
We are also thankful for everyone who works tirelessly in the fight for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) equality. For a national movement that brought an end to the military's "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy, the Obama Administration's refusal to defend the "Defense of Marriage Act," and passage of state laws extending marriage and spousal rights to same-sex couples. For those who provide care to our LGBTQ community members who may not have family support systems. For the courageous youth who choose to be true to themselves regardless of adversity or family rejections. For our allies who come out in support of the LGBTQ community and embody the ideal of "unconditional" love. And, we are thankful for YOU!
Your generous support of The Center's programs, through financial contributions and volunteerism, help us to provide vital programs and services to the LGBTQ community and its allies. We have thriving youth, senior and transgender programs offering safe spaces, support groups, workshops, social events, community advocacy and reference and referrals. We offer programming aimed at promoting healthy living, tobacco cessation, free HIV testing, affirmative therapists and healthcare providers and women's health. The Center provides meeting spaces to 35+ community groups, leadership opportunities, mentorship, love and acceptance to our community.
Our community center does more than just throw a great, big summer celebration, it works to heal the sources of misunderstanding and hurt – bias and misinformation – through cultural competency trainings and empowerment workshops to strengthen and inform the community. It influences public opinion in many ways by: encouraging a more inclusive community, educating professionals who work with LGBTQ people, hosting conference and summits, coordinating queer-straight alliances (QSA) in schools, putting on the fabulous Utah Pride Festival and constantly monitoring and appearing in the media to ensure that our lives are visible and our stories are told accurately, inclusively and fairly. This work truly changes hearts and minds!
The heart of Utah's LGBTQ community can be found at The Center. The staff and volunteers work together in harmony with many other great Utah organizations to make our state more hospitable to LGBTQ people. As a board and staff, we realize that in order to reduce the number of LGBTQ youth and adults in crisis, we have to educate all Utahns on LGBTQ issues. And as you know, this kind of work requires funding to move forward.
So, we are asking you to join us, The Center's board and staff, in changing public opinion – with your time, your money or both. We feel so strongly about this work, that we are giving additional contributions and issuing a challenge to our community. Together, the board and staff have pledged $5,994 to match your donations – so every dollar you give will be matched 1-to-1 by those who see firsthand how The Center's programs and services are changing lives, for the better, every day.
To join us, please visit online at www.utahpridecenter.org/get-involved-now to make your tax deductible donation or join the $27.77 Club.
Give what you can and watch your dollars transform into a more inclusive Utah. Every dollar counts in ending discrimination, eliminating hateful talk, stopping bullying and saving lives. Think about what makes you thankful in your life, and give a dollar, ten or hundred for each of those people and experiences that enrich your life. Remember, there are many of your LGBTQ brothers and sisters who are thankful for having a safe haven to call home – the Utah Pride Center. Thanks for doing everything you can to make our community a better place!
Thankfully yours,
Nikki (Board President) and Valerie Larabee (Executive Director)
LGBTQ Safety: A Foster Youth Providers' Summit
Download the Registration Form.
Download the Scholarship Application.
Pay for the conference online.
Email completed forms to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
World AIDS Day Events
Please join the Utah Pride Center's HIV Prevention Team for the following events to commemorate Worlds AIDS Day on December 1st.
No One's Stigma: A night of Spoken Word
The Utah Pride Center's HIV Prevention Team, Sugarhouse Coffee and Planned Parenthood of Utah Teen Council present a World AIDS Day Open Mic to fight back against stigma and empower our community through creative expression. Are you a bad ass MC? Do you have a story to tell? Are you over HIV/AIDS stigma? We need every voice we can get to speak out against stigma. The work doesn't end at World AIDS Day, but this is a powerful opportunity to engage in a movement that impacts ALL OF US. After we are done ripping the stage, we will come together for a candlelight vigil to honor those we have lost. If you are interested in performing, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or via Facebook.
When: December 1st from 6:30 - 9:00 PM
Where: Sugarhouse Coffee, 1100 East 2100 South, Salt Lake City
Free HIV Testing!
In addition to the regular weekly HIV Testing, the Prevention Team and the Utah Department of Health will be hosting free HIV testing at Westminster College.
When: November 29th from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: Westminster College, SHAW Building (Cafeteria), 1804 South 1300 East
For the regular HIV Testing days and times, check out our calendar.
Film Screening & Panel Discussion, Longtime Companion
In honor of World AIDS Day, please join the Salt Lake Public Library, Salt Lake Valley Health Department, and the Utah Pride Center for a balloon release to acknowledge those infected with HIV and to make a pledge to protect one's own health. This will be followed by a screening of the film, Longtime Companion, followed by a panel discussion. For more information, check out the Facebook event.
When: Friday, December 2nd from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Where: Salt Lake City Public Library, 200 East 400 South
From IMDB: "Perhaps the first filme to put a human face on the AIDS epidemic, Longtime Companion follows the lives of a small circle of friends from the first mention of the disease in the New York Times in 1981. First referred to as "Gay-Related-Immune-Disorder," we watch the effect of the disease as it devestates the lives of our protagonists. Jumping between Manhattan and Fire Island, vignettes carry us from the it-couldn't-happen-to-me mentality of the early days of the disease to the invasive effect it has had on all of our lives, today. The title of the film comes from the New York Times' refusal to acknowledge same-sex relationships in their obituary section during this period. Instead, survivors were referred to as 'Longtime Companions' of the deceased."
In addition to the events listed above, Utah State University's Center for Women and Gender is hosting numerous events surrounding The AIDS Memorial Quilt by the NAMES Project Foundation. Download the poster for these events here.
Schedule Available Now for Transaction Gender Conference!
Are you planning on attending the Transaction Gender Conference this Saturday, November 12th? The conference is free & inclusive to all! Please join us!
Schedule at a Glace
8:30 - 9:30 AM • Check in & Registration
9:30 - 9:45 AM • Welcome Address
10:00 - 11:20 AM • 1st Breakout Session
- Female to Male Chest Reconstructive Surgery
- Panel Discussion: Sexual Assault in the Transgender Community
- Transgender 101: An Introduction to Trans Identities
- Mindfulness Meditation for Health and Happiness
- The Intersection of Privilege in Everyday Life
- Free HIV Testing!
11:30 AM - 12:50 PM • 2nd Breakout Session
- Panel Discussion: Raising Transgender, Gender Nonconforming and/or Intersex Youth
- A clinical look at the new WPATH Standards of Care, 7th Version
- Gender Diversity Throughout Time and Around the World
- Sexpert 101: Get the Facts on Safer Trans Sex
- Free HIV Testing!
1:00 - 2:00 PM • Lunch • Free HIV Testing! • Trans/Queer People of Color Caucus
2:00 - 3:20 PM • 3rd Breakout Session
- What is Intersex?
- Preventative Care, Hormones and Disease Prevention
- The Power of Allies
- Gender Variance in Classical Mythology
- Covert Queers: Femme Visibility in the Queer Community
3:30 - 4:50 PM • 4th Breakout Session
- Pro-Trans Policy: Get the facts on What's Happening and How to Get Involved
- Decolonizing Fem(me)
- How to Build a Healthy Identity: Shame v. Pride
- Film: Endangered Species
5:00 - 5:30 PM • Prize Drawing & Silent Auction
5:30 - 6:30 PM • Keynote Address: Yoseñio V. Lewis
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November is Transgender Awareness Month
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 1, 2011
Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Transgender Programs Coordinator (801) 539.8800 Ext. 17
November is Transgender Awareness Month
Utah Pride Center hosts activities that will educate and entertain
SALT LAKE CITY: The Utah Pride Center is hosting its 3rd Annual month-long series of activities for Transgender Awareness Month organized by TransAction, a youth-led group whose mission is to promote visibility, unity, and safety through advocacy and education. The month’s activities aim to celebrate and raise awareness of the issues that face the Transgender community in Utah. All events sponsored by the Utah Pride Center are free and inclusive to all.
The month’s biggest event will be the 3rd Annual Gender Conference: Beyond the Binary. This all day event will take place on Saturday, November 12th in the Gore School of Business at Westminster College from 8:30am to 6:30pm. The conference will feature lectures, workshops, and panels offered by local community members and professionals. Come meet other gender variant folks and their parents, partners, families, friends, and the professionals who serve them.
The keynote speaker at the conference will be Yoseñio V. Lewis of San Francisco. Mr. Lewis is a Latino of African descent female to male transsexual who has been an activist for almost 40 years. A health educator, speaker, writer, performer, trainer, facilitator, he is also a member of the National Advisory Board of the Center of Excellence for Transgender Health and the board of the All Gender Health On-line Study. Lewis is a co-founder of Big Boys' Ink Productions, a theatrical writing and performing company and has been featured in several documentaries. He believes that there can be no art without activism and no activism without art.
In addition to the conference, TransAction will host the following events on each Tuesday of November before Thanksgiving:
Finally, TransAction and Transgender Education Advocates (TEA) of Utah are co-hosting this year’s International Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil on Sunday, November 20th at 6:00 PM at the First Methodist Church on 200 East & 200 South.
Transgender is a term used to describe a broad spectrum of people who experience or express their gender differently from what most people expect. Transgender Awareness Month events are a place for everyone to meet each other and celebrate our diversity. An important aspect of these events is to increase understanding of transgender people who are often misrepresented. For more information about these events, please visit www.utahpridecenter.org.
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Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner
Looking for somewhere to call home this Thanksgiving? The Utah Pride Center, with the help of donations from the community, is sponsoring a Thanksgiving feast at the Center for our LGBTQ family. We will have a scrumptious meal, games, movies, and a fun time with great friends. The meal will be served from 12:00 Noon to 3:00 PM on November 24th. To attend, donate or volunteer, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . This event is all-inclusive and we want everyone to feel welcome. Vegan and vegetarian options will be available too!
Because this is a community dinner, we are asking for the community's help in donating pre-made food. Not only do we need food donations, we also need volunteers to help make this event a success.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Even if you can’t bring a dish to share, you can still share your time. We need volunteers to help run the event. Duties include setting up/taking down and everything in between. If you can volunteer for a shift, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at or call 801.539.8800, ext. 22.
Volunteer Shifts:
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (includes set up)
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM (includes clean up)
Food Donations:
If you are interested in donating food, we ask that the dishes be made at home and then brought to the Center, as we do not have cooking facilities on-site. We will be serving food from 12:00 – 3:00 PM so we ask you drop off your cooked food items between 11:30 AM – 12: 00 PM. Please keep this in mind to ensure the feast goes smoothly, as we will not be accepting food after 12:00 PM.
Food needed for feast:
· Appetizers such as: Salads, Deviled Eggs, Veggie & Fruit Trays
· Entrees such as: Turkey, Ham, Tofurkey, Stuffing, Vegan/Vegetarian Stuffing
· Sides such as: Yams/Sweet Potatoes, Rolls/Bread, Cranberries, Roasted veggies, Green beans/corn, Mashed potatoes/gravy
· Desserts such as: Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie, Sweet Potato Pie, Ice Cream, Pumpkin cookies
· Drinks such as: Soda, Apple Cider, Juice, Hot Chocolate
· Extras such as: Salt & Peppers, Paper Products (plates, cups, bowls, napkins & utensils), butter, and disposable plastic containers for leftovers
If you can donate a dish, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 801.539.8800, ext. 22. Also include in the email what dish you plan on providing.
November is Transgender Awareness Month
November is Transgender Awareness Month and the Utah Pride Center is excited to present lots of activities throughout the month for Gender Variant folks and all their allies.
Save the date for TransAction's Gender Conference on November 12th at Westminster College in the Gore School of Business from 9 AM to 6:30 PM. The Conference will feature workshops presented by members of our community such as, local Trans-friendly medical providers, workshops for partners and family members of Trans folk, panels, and more. Our highlight will be our keynote speaker, Yoseñio Lewis from San Fransisco, California. Lewis is a Latino of African descent and a female to male transsexual who has been working in the transgender community for may years as an activist, educator, writer, performer, trainer and facilitator. The schedule for the Transaction Conference is available here!
Plus, join TransAction every Tuesday in November before Thanksgiving to meet, mingle and enjoy ourselves at Trans Tuesday social events. Trans Tuesdays are a good way to meet people in Salt Lake City's Trans community.
November 1st, 7:00 PM - Movie Night with post-film Discussion @ Westminster College's Gore School of Business. "Beautiful Daughters" is a documentary about Eve Ensler's theater piece, "The Vagina Monologues" which has become an international phenomenon and a source of empowerment for women of all walks of life. However, in 2005 Ensler became involved in a special production of "The Vagina Monologues" for a group of women whose story was not dealt with in the play -- women who used to be men. A group of transsexuals were interested in staging a version of the show that was unique to them, and Ensler not only gave her blessing to the project, but also worked with the cast of transgender performers to give the text a voice that was appropriate to their circumstances. Filmmakers Josh Aronson and Ariel Orr Jordan were on hand to witness the gestation of this unique performance. "Beautiful Daughters" is a documentary that chronicles the writing and rehearsals for the transsexual "Vagina Monologues" and explores the lives and experiences of the women performing in the play, who run the gamut from a respected computer science instructor to an exotic dancer turned real estate salesperson. Produced for broadcast on the premium cable channel Logo, "Beautiful Daughters" was also screened as part of New York City's 2006 NewFest Film Festival.
November 8th, 7:00 PM - Chili Cook-off @ Utah Pride Center's TINT. Bring your best pot of chili and enter to win! If chili isn't your speciality, please bring some cornbread. TransAction will provide beverages.
November 15th, 7:00 PM - Game Night @ Utah Pride Center's TINT & 5:00 PM - Movie in Multipurpose Room
November 22nd, 7:00 PM - Transgender Variety & Talent Show @ Westminster College's Gore Concert Hall. Join us for a Johnny Carson-style variety show with drag performances, music, poetry and other fabulous displays of talent. Co-sponsored by Westminster College's Alphabet Soup. For more information or to perform, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Finally, TransAction and Transgender Education Advocates (TEA) of Utah are co-hosting the International Transgender Day of Remembrance on Sunday, November 20th at 6pm at the First Methodist Church on 200 East & 200 South for an inter-faith memorial to remember our transgender family members who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. If you would like to volunteer, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
A complete list of Transgender Awareness Month events can be found on our calendar.
For more event details, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 801.539.8800, ext. 17.
