Welcome back!

You know what I think. Run! Run for your life! Run fast, run far – get OUT of there.

Buttars is a complete moron….

My vote: Get the heck out of Dodge. While Utah is a lovely place, it is beyond salvaging, I’m afraid. Hopefully your sanity is not. Escape and get far away from there while you still can.

Come to Washington. It’s a much nicer place to be.

While I love the physical geographical aspects of Utah, I loathed the oppressive political atmosphere. When I moved back to Idaho in 2005, the moment I crossed the border I let out a big sigh and I just felt lighter and freer… And Idaho is not much better. A large part of the people in Utah, the part who would agree with this jackass, are morons as well as Mormons.

I vote with Allison and Kris… there are other, nicer places to live. I think you would love Washington state, or Oregon… or even New England… Wouldn’t recommend Texas or Alabama, but the Pacific Northwest and New England would be my recommendations. And if you have friends and family only out west, then Washington and Oregon would be the best choices…

One more comment… the gay press made much of him being removed from his charimanship. I posted a note on there that what was most disturbing is that the President of the Senate stated he agreed with him but only removed him due to his speaking out. What does that say about any kind of legislation in that state that would benefit gay people getting a fair hearing or vote when the President of the Senate makes a remark like that. This is not a good place for any open or fair minded person to be. And most certainly not for any gay people.

Okay, I’d turned off the computer and was getting ready for work… but had one more thought I want to add…

This guy claims that gay people are more dangerous than terrorists… How much different is that from Spencer W. Kimball stating that homosexuality is the 2nd most serious sin after murder?

We don’t hesitate to call Buttars an ass. But Kimball was too. All of the Mormon leadership are asses… and not just for their homophobia. Just all of it..

The fight gets long and nothing really ends up happening. We’ve all fought for years and as far as I was concerned, I thought I really made a difference. When it came down to it I did make a difference in certain individuals way of thinking, but in Utah, when there is a choice that has to be made, even some of the enlightened people, can’t turn there backs on church and state. It’s sure a lot easier to breathe outside of Utah.

Oh my God…How did Buttars find out. Yes we are the terrorists he fears. San Francisco is the stronghold not the borders of Afghanistan and Pakistan. And here in the hills north of San Francisco is the true hot bed. We are members of a sleeper cell of gays that are lying in wait to topple Utah’s Zion. Our neighbor, Queen Osama Being Laid ON, (he likes us to call him queen) is our supreme leader and when he tells us to rise up we stand ready. Blood will run in the streets of Salt Lake City – from our bleeding toes stuffed into those stilletoes we like to wear. I think the sky will turn blood red also…much more dramatic for an invasion don’t you think? The tent cities on the shores of Utah lake will be filled with teenagers who don’t have to kill themselves because they are gay. (Don’t know if you Salt Lake County folks were taught about the tent cities – In Utah County ALL the revelations that will come to pass were shared)

Kathy – my vote would be for you to get out before all the bloodshed. Although it would be nice to be able to stop by for a glass of wine during a lull in the battle.

So many things to say.

First, to inform and remind everyone of who I am, I am Craig and Paul’s nephew. I’m gay and live in Zion (Utah).

So, Buttars: I could rant for hours about this jackass, bigot, racist, and idiot. His latest spectacle in a long string of homophobic and racist comments is by far the worst that we’ve heard so far. Of course, I’m personally offended to be equated to the status of terrorist by a Senator of the state I call home (“offended” is putting it very lightly).

But what can we do? Gay rights activists here called for his resignation, and he basically received a slap on the wrist (removal from certain committees). What’s worse, Senate President Mike Waddoups (who coincidentally owns the property management company of the condo I just moved out of), has stood behind Buttars and his comments, saying that he speaks for his people. I used to think and say, “Buttars is terrible. If people just realized who he really was, they would stop voting for him.” Well, no one could be called ignorant of Buttars’ racism and homophobia after the last two years, but what happened? He was voted in for yet another term last election cycle. The people of West Jordan, Herriman, and Santaquin Utah know just who Buttars is and what he stands for, and they like it. So no, it’s not that Buttars is some extremist who no one listens to, he’s the guy who says “what other people are thinking.” Check out any local news discussion board and you’ll read those exact words.

Again, what can we do? Kathleen, I sympathize with your conflicting desires to GET THE HELLA OUTTA HERE or to stay in this (mostly) beautiful state. You need to decide what’s most important to you, and whether you can really live with the idiocy we are constantly surrounded by. You could hardly be blamed for moving a place where you can live your live with more dignity and normalcy. But I for one have decided to stay here, at least for the next several years, because despite Buttars and people like him in our government, I really believe that we are making changes for the better. I say “we,” meaning the LGBT Community and its allies, and countless other progressive-thinking citizens who are succeeding in making this state less backwards. Our Republican Governor, John Huntsman, Jr., just came out in public support of gay rights, including civil unions. Of course, he’s been blasted by his own party for his LIBERAL TENDENCIES, but I think he’s really doing some good for Utah by setting a more clear-headed example. Huntsman just succeeded in lifting the Zion Curtain, ending the archaic and weird “Private Clubs” law, and making it much easier to get a drink in this state. This is a Republican Mormon, for god’s sake!

Nevertheless, it’s not like we’re anywhere close to comfortable. We liberals, gays, environmentalists, feminists, atheists, intellectuals, progressives, and coffee and alcohol drinkers have a LONG way to go before Utah feels anything like Portland or New York or–heaven save us–San Francisco. But honestly, until then, I’m going to have a fucking great time living it up, shouting down the right-wingers and bigots, and fighting for equality. [Soap Box Finale]