Program Announced for Pinkdot St. George
The Pinkdot St. George committee announced the three incredible speakers for the first annual event on November 3, 2012:
- George Stoddard is a 77 year old community activist with degrees in psychology and community counseling. George has had an active role in starting and expanding HIV/AIDS support groups and organizations in the state of Georgia, and has been active in the Washington County HIV/AIDS Task Force for the past 10 years. George and his wife currently run Gallery 873, an art showroom in Kayenta, Utah.
- Christina Schultz became a staunch ally for LGBT equality when she lived in West Hollywood, California during the height of the AIDS epidemic, volunteering for AIDS Project LA and lobbying for important HIV/AIDS legislation. Christina has degrees in business administration and communications management, and she been working at Dixie College since 2005 developing business, educational and arts programs.
- Valerie Larabee has degrees in education and extensive military leadership experience. She has been the Executive Director of the Utah Pride Center since December 2004, and has an active involvement in community building and is deeply invested in the welfare and growth of Utah's LGBTQ community.
First Annual PinkDot St. George Event to be held on November 3, 2012
FIRST ANNUAL PINKDOT ST. GEORGE EVENT
11:30 AM-2:00 PM ON NOVEMBER 3, 2012
VERNON WORTHEN PARK
For more information contact the Support Love Courage Council at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
St. George, UT – The Support Love Courage Council will hold the first annual PinkDot St. George event, on Saturday November 3, 2012, 11:30am-2:00pm at Vernon Worthen Park, 300 S. 400 E. St. George, Utah, adjacent to the St. George Leisure Services Recreation Center. The Support-Love-Courage Council selected St. George as the second city, outside of Salt Lake City to hold PinkDot, because of the tremendous growth, support, and acceptance of SouthWestern Utah towards the LGBT community. The event will include speakers, celebration, and culminate in the formation of a human pink dot, symbolizing love and acceptance. Following the huge photo opportunity, the celebration will continue with a PinkDot potluck picnic in the park.
PinkDot Utah is an opportunity for family, friends, neighbors, associates & colleagues of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people to demonstrate their love and support and acceptance. In turn, it is an excellent opportunity for LGBT people to express and demonstrate their appreciation for valued supporters from the straight community.
The St. George local team is being lead by Barbara Oliver, who indicated, “I am pleased and excited to participate in St. George's first annual Pink Dot event. Proactive events such as Pink Dot will definitely strengthen and build strong, lasting bridges between the local LGBT and straight communities. The union of these communities will continue to enhance the quality of life in Southern Utah. ” Another excellent team member, Elise West, shared “I moved here a little over four years ago with the intent to hibernate in the red rocks and beauty of St. George. Well four years later, I'm relieved to say I'm out of hibernation and consider it an honor to join hands with the amazing residents of Southern Utah in celebrating our human-ness and authenticity for our First Ever PinkDot Day! My wish is for all, no matter what community you live in, no matter how or what you believe, to be able to LIVE your life free from fear and full of love. That is peace....and that is what I call really livin'."
The Support Love Courage Council has stressed how important it is to bring this event to all areas and populations of Utah, citing this as a reason to bring the event to St. George. The primary aim is to create an appreciation of Utah's diversity – regardless of race, language, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, we are all Utahns. We have come a long way in encouraging inclusivity and acceptance of all segments of society. We hope that more continue to join us in helping to fulfill this aim.
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pinkdot Utah Baby Contest Finalists
Entertainment Announced for pinkdot Utah 2012
ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCED
FOR PINKDOT UTAH EVENT
2:00-6:00 PM ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2012
For more information contact Ken Kimball
pinkdot Project Manager
801-917-2175
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Salt Lake City – September 12, 2012 - Organizers of the Support Love Courage Council in Salt Lake City today announce the entertainment line-up for the second annual pinkdot Utah event on September 22, 2012 at Jordan Park. Entertainers include Melody and Tyler, DJ Nick James, Joshua Payne Orchestra and Renee Plant. Speakers include Mohamed Baayd, Adam White and Erika Munson. Information about all entertainers and speakers are included at the end of this announcement.
pinkdot Utah is a milestone LGBT support campaign being organized by the Support Love Courage Council, a group of committed community volunteers. The campaign aims to promote its credo ~ Support. Love. Courage. ~ by encouraging Utahans to show their support for their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) family members, co-workers, neighbors and friends by attending the pinkdot event.
This year's pinkdot Utah campaign will culminate on Saturday, September 22, 2012 with a free celebration next to the International Peace Gardens at Salt Lake City's Jordan Park. Festivities begin at 2:00 p.m., with attendees joining together to form a giant human pink dot promptly at 4:00 p.m. People planning to attend are encouraged to wear a pink shirt. The dot will symbolize to the world Utahans support of their LGBT friends, family, co-workers and community members. The festivities and entertainment will continue until 6:00 p.m. Attendees and families are encouraged to bring picnics and enjoy an afternoon at the park.
The 1st annual pinkdot Utah event debuted on October 11, 2011 with nearly 2,000 attendees. The Utah celebration is based on the inaugural Pink Dot event in Singapore in 2009, which drew over 2,500 attendees. This figure nearly doubled to 4,000 in 2010, was 10,000 in 2011, and at the 4th annual event, over 15,000 pink-attired Singaporeans turned Hong Lim Park into a sea of pink. The Support Love Courage Council thanks the Pink Dot SG (Singapore) committee for their inspiration.
Statement from Erika Munson of Mormons Building Bridges:
Mormons Building Bridges will be enthusiastically participating in pinkdot Utah on September 22, 2012. The mission of our group--to encourage straight Latter-day Saints to offer love and support to their LGBT brothers and sisters--will be well-served during this event at Jordan Park. The simple yet powerful message of Love, Support and Courage is something our Christian faith teaches us. We encourage LDS families to reach out to their LGBT loved ones and bring them to this nonpolitical celebration of Jesus' admonition to love one another.
The pinkdot Utah website address is www.pinkdotut.org. The site features a pinkdot store, links and interactive features to engage users. The Council encourages people to get involved by in the pinkdot campaign by:
• "Liking" the Pink Dot Utah page on Facebook and share with all of your friends
• Making a video about why you support pinkdot and share it on YouTube
• Making a donation to support ongoing pinkdot Utah advocacy efforts
• Attending the pinkdot Utah event on Saturday, September 22, 2012
Entertainment and Speakers
(in order of appearance)
Melody and Tyler
(2:00 – 2:30 PM)
Melody & Tyler met in Logan Utah and began playing cover songs and a few originals and decided to start booking shows. Not long after, they started alternating opening spots for each other's gigs rarely playing together as a duo.
In 2008 Melody & Tyler founded the Acoustic All-Stars Music Festival. The Festival was based on the idea that the local talent of singer songwriters and one man band genres deserved the same privileges, promotion, and opportunities as a full band. In July 2008 the first Acoustic All-Stars Music Festival was held at The Star Bar in Park City, Utah. It was 2 nights of multiple acts and was a great place for musicians to network. At the 2009 AAS festival, Melody & Tyler moved from solo acts to a duo called Melody W/ Tyler Forsberg, and soon after changed their name to Melody & Tyler in early 2010.
Melody & Tyler have opened for such acts as J.R. Richards of Dishwalla (Counting Blue Cars), Automatic Love Letter, Meg & Dia (Dia was a finalist on The Voice this past summer), and many other great Local acts and touring bands. They won a Posty Award for Best Acoustic Band, were nominated for best Folk Artist/Band IAMA Award (Intermountain Acoustic Music Association), and have been featured in NOW Salt Lake Magazine several times in the past 4 years as well as a cover story for the Acoustic All-Stars Music Festival in 2010 in the same magazine. In 2008 they played over 100 shows with almost all of them booked on their own. They're avid activists for human and minority rights, heavily promote a better musical community, are co-founders of the Utah Musician's Breakfast Club (a meeting of musicians once a month to share shows and opinions), and members of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers). Melody Pulsipher has been the undisputed best female vocalist on musicmates.com for 2 years and counting, and Tyler Forsberg currently plays drums with The Brian Bingham Band.
Nick James – DJ
(2:30-3:00, 5:30-6:00 and intermittently throughout program)
DJ Nick James has been dee-jaying world-class dance music for over a decade. Not only has he been a past DJ for Utah Pride Fest, he has played private parties for Sundance Film Festival and Salt Lake City's very own Rocky Anderson. With a passion for Disco, Jazz and Soul, he has had two radio shows on KRCL 90.9 and been a DJ Columnist for SLUG Magazine. He has been voted best DJ of Utah by City Weekly (Reader's Choice Award) and was featured in SPIN Magazine for his famed dance party JUST WANNA DANCE along with DJ Jesse Walker.
Joshua Payne Orchestra
(3:00 – 3:30)
From late night street performances to glitzy hotel and club gigs, the Joshua Payne Orchestra is anywhere and everywhere. The JPO is heavily influenced not only by jazz, but also hip hop, rock, and pop. Their eclectic repertoire features original music as well as surprising hits selected with reckless abandon from all across the radio dial. Joshua plays an extremely rare handmade Thorell archtop guitar. Performing at out of town weddings, summer festivals, and several local weekly residencies, the JPO maintains an intense schedule and is in high demand.
"The Joshua Payne Orchestra takes their love of both vintage and modern music and merges them to create something contemporary and quirky. The result is a feel-good cacophony of innovative composition." –City Weekly
"From jamming in the streets to jamming with Les Paul––this is the perfect description of what Payne is capable of." –SLUG
Speakers
(3:30 – 4:00 PM)
Mohamed Baayd
Mohamed Baayd was born in very small village called Allougoume, located 12 hours south of Casablanca in Morocco. Most of his childhood was spent in Casablanca. He came to United States on August 25, 1999 something he had dreamt about his entire life. He lived in several states before, coming to Utah in 2010 to attend BYU. While at BYU, he met his wife, Jami. They have been blessed with three beautiful children, Amira who is 7, Norah who is 5 and Naim who was just born in July. Their home has always been, and will always continue to be, an open home to people from different walks of life and with different beliefs. Jami and Mohamed teach their kids to respect and appreciate the beauty of humanity and its diversity. Mohamed is a Muslim Mormon who supports pinkdot. He and his family attended last year's event and are excited to participate this year as well.
Adam White
Adam White is a student from Washington D.C. studying Theatre Arts at Brigham Young University. He helped to organize the BYU 'It Gets Better' video that went viral in April earlier this year. Adam serves as Understanding Same-Gender Attraction's vice president, helping president Bridey Jensen with an ever growing community of allies and friends at BYU and in Utah County."
Erika Munson
Erika Munson is a Latter-day Saint and mother of five from Sandy, Utah. She founded Mormons Building Bridges to help create a safe and welcoming place for LGBT people in her church. Erika's ancestry goes back to Utah's handcart pioneers, and she and her husband have raised their children in the Northeast and Europe. She has served in many capacities in her congregation including as Relief Society President, Young Women's President, and Choir Director. She is thrilled to be a part of the Pink Dot celebration of Love, Courage, and Support.
Reneé Plant
(4:30-5:30)
Originally from Warren, Ohio, Reneé began playing piano at age five, and guitar at age ten. She honed her musical skills through music competitions, a musical directorship, multiple bands, collegiate classical training, collaborating with and accompanying other musicians, composing and recording and live performances. Renee has lived in multiple states and has performed her music in Ohio, Oklahoma, Arizona and Oregon. She just recently moved to the Salt Lake area where she is quickly becoming known for her unique and powerful voice, as well as her songwriting abilities. Throughout her journey, she has met and played with some great local artists. Some of the venues she's played at include the Women Who Rock concert series, the Portland Rose Festival, LadyFest Salt Lake City, the Utah Pride Parade, the Women's Redrock Music Festival in Torrey, UT, and has also been a guest artist on many CD's.
"Beautiful, Intelligent and Provocative...Totally Professional and a joy to share a stage with!" –Tracy Klas
"This alt-country band was fun-loving and is the kind of band you'd probably want to see live in an intimate setting, whether that be at a dive bar or at an outdoor festival. Relaxed and easygoing, the musicians performed with a passion that would pair well with a cold beer and a group of close friends." –SLUG Magazine
Nick James – DJ
(5:30-6:00)
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pinkdot St George
The Support Love Courage Council is happy to announce the addition of a pinkdot St. George to this year's calendar. On November 3rd, 2012 friends and family of the LGBTQ community will gather to demonstrate their love and support. The event will be held at Vernon Worthen Park at 300 S 400 E in St. George, Utah starting at 11:30am and going until 2pm. The event will include speakers, the formation of a pink dot, and a potluck picnic in the park. Watch for more details about the event in the coming weeks.
Utah pinkdot Baby Contest
The 2012 Utah pinkdot Baby Contest creates a fun, positive way for parents to share their child’s unique personality with the community and win great prizes. Parents will submit a photo of their child, aged newborn to 42 months, that captures their unique personality while highlighting the color pink and, to the extent possible, the theme of Support, Love and Courage.
Details:
Dates and Times: Submit photos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. anytime up until noon on Thursday, September 13, 2012. All contestants will be asked to attend the 2012 Utah pinkdot event on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at 3:00 PM.
Cost: Free!
Judging: On line voting available Saturday, September 15th through Friday, September 21st where the public will be able to vote for their 1st , 2nd and 3rd choices. Guidelines for voting include: The Baby’s Physical Features, Personalities, and/or the Baby’s Unique Portrayal of our theme of Support, Love and Courage.
Costume: Please feel free to dress your baby in any outfit that brings out their personality and that best conveys, in pink, the theme of Support, Love and Courage. These are our most cherished and celebrated values.
Awards Celebrations:
1st, 2nd and 3rd places will be announced at the pinkdot event on Saturday, September 22 at Salt Lake City’s Jordan Park at 3:00 PM.
- All contestants will receive a certificate of appreciation
- Top 3 contestants will be awarded a $25 gift certificate.
- 1st place contestant will also receive a professional photo shoot and will be highlighted in activities leading up to pinkdot 2013.
Rules:
- Babies must be 42 months old or younger on Thursday, September 13, 2012
- Submission of a photo can be made only by the parents of the child. Before publishing a photo, a signed release and verification will be emailed and must be signed and returned by the parents of the baby whose photo is submitted.
- Photos will be uploaded to our website and voting for the cutest photo will be presented to the public September 15 - 21st.
- All contestants will be invited to the event, dressed in pink, and the winners will be announced live from the stage at 3:00 pm Saturday, September 22nd.
Submit your photos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on or before Saturday, September 15, 2012.
2012 pinkdot Celebration Location Announced
The pinkdot Utah celebration will be next to the International Peace Gardens at Salt Lake City's Jordan Park located at 1060 South 900 West on September 22, 2012.
Council Announces Date for 2012 pinkdot Celebration
The pinkdot Utah celebration will held on September 22, 2012 in Salt Lake City. Watch for announcements about the location in the next week.
