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Archive for June, 2018

SLPS is making an official announcement, condemning the actions of the Trump Administration with the zero tolerance policy meant to deter asylum seekers to the U.S. We, the members of SLPS, stand with immigrants and believe in immigrants rights. We call on state leaders and our government to end the inhumane separation and detention of children. This act is unlawful and is inflicting unnecessary torture and trauma on those families.

Let us not forget the words of our Lady Liberte, Goddess of America Columbiana

The New Colossus, Emma Lazarus, 1883

“Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
MOTHER OF EXILES. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

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As quiet as the bee’s knees, local gay bar, Club Jam, closed its doors. It has been transferred to a new, more hipster oriented trend bar, HandleBar. Serving up jacket potatoes and wings among other things, extensive renovation of the structure was undertaken to transform the new pub from dance club to pub style life.
Kathy Stephenson, writing for the Salt Lake Tribune on June 8, 2018, describes the new Handlebar in their article “The HandleBar is a new Salt Lake City ‘biker’ bar geared toward cyclists and any other thirsty patrons…HandleBar, 751 N. 300 W., replaces Club Jam, a popular gay bar and dance club that opened in 2008 but in recent years had struggled.
‘When the area wasn’t as residential,’ Morris said, ‘a dance club made more sense.’ The new bar fits more in line with the neighborhood, but the sadness if felt in the community. “‘It’s exciting and sad at the same time,’ said Rob Moolman, executive director of the Utah Pride Center, who added that having ‘queer spaces’ where the LGBTQ community can ‘come out and be themselves’ is important.'”
While the Pride Center does exist and helps many people, the loss of a local staple venue, closing down to just 2 dedicated queer spaces, shifts a significant part of the population to other venues and away from the scene.
“At one point in the 1970s, Salt Lake City could boast 10 gay or lesbian bars. Now, with the closure of Jam, two remain: the Sun Trapp and Club Try-Angles. ‘Times have changed,’ Moolman said. For the most part, ‘young people today are growing up in a different climate of understanding and inclusivity. They can walk into any [bar or restaurant] space and be themselves.’ He pointed to Salt Lake City’s recent Pride Festival and Parade, which enjoyed some of their largest turnouts, according to preliminary numbers.”
SLPS is sad to see it go, President Muad’Dib had been there since the opening. “I remember the owners used to have lots of community events such as art shows and BBQs. It was great to get a free meal as a college student and not have to scrap for funds. Bear Foot wine did a tasting there once. When they got their liquor license things moved towards traditional club scene, but it was always a good spot.”

Club Jam
Source: GLAAD

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SLPS had a wonderful time reading tarot and participating in the 2018 Utah Pride Festival. The theme for the event this year was “Get Salty.” The festival was held at the usual City and County Building June 2-3. The Utah Pride Interfaith Coalition kicked off services Thursday, May 31 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. SLPS was in attendance as the one of the Pagan faith representatives.

Many folks came by for readings, all for $10. The Merqueen, formerly of Mermaids of the Great Salt Lake  and her wife marched with SLPS in the parade Sunday, June 3.

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Utah Pride Festival 2018, booth looking north to City and County Building, Saturday, June 2, 2018, Salt Lake City, UT

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Utah Pride Festival 2018, booth with Shy Fox, Saturday, June 2, 2018, Salt Lake City, UT

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Utah Pride Festival Parade 2018, l to r- Willow and Rachel F., and Shy Fox, June 3, 2018, Salt Lake City, UT

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Salt Lake Pagan Society

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