by Troy Williams
Okay — I’m coming out. As a prankster. I co-conspired with several upstanding straight and LGBT folks on a little hoax at the Capital. The local queer blogosphere went bonkers when Patriots for a Moral Utah announced their “Fair Solutions” initiative.
“Nora Young”, portrayed by the fantastic Tamara Howell, is a composite of all those who fight against the LGBT community. Her words were crafted together by the outrageous statements of Chris Buttars, Gayle Ruzika, Sutherland Institute and of course the Mormon Church. She was a parody of all these right wing, state’s rights ideologues. Her words exposed the never-ending parade of inane message bills from the Utah Legislature.
The fact that so many believed this could happen speaks volumes to the climate of ignorance and fear in the state. I’m sorry that my friend Jesse Fruhwirth from the City Weekly got so riled up. I think he’s a great journalist and an asset to our community. But I’m also glad that others in the alternative media, like Brandon Burt, saw what we were going for.
And just for the record, the good folks at Peaceful Uprising, who work on direct action for climate change, did not orchestrate the prank. The names of the organizers, as well as the mission statement are all available here.
Have a watch and enjoy!
Send the blacks back to Africa or Detroit, and the Mexicans/immigrants back to Mexico/the phillipines (when they have finished cleaning all the homes and raising all the kids) out of there too! (unless they are lds). Send the utes and the Piutes and the Navajos back to where they came from as well. Only moral Mormons who hate everyone one earth are pure enough for Utah! Praise Joseph Christ!
I wise man reminded me that it is NORA who said those hateful things, not TAMARA – - As a proud member of the LGBT community, I feel that I can love my country AND my hairdresser!
…yesterday’s pressconference hairdo, notwithstanding…
I admit it — you got me!
The statement on Facebook was way out there, but just believable enough for Utah and the current political climate. A way to up the effectiveness of the prank might have been to try to get some Utah lawmakers or Gayle Ruzika on board thinking it was legitimate, maybe inviting them to speak at the press conference as a supporter to expose their bigotry.