Gay leader takes her leave of Utah

Prompted in part by a legislative session that was especially unkind to homosexuals, the executive director of Utah's only gay community center has resigned and plans to relocate to more emerald pastures.

Paula Wolfe, who has been the executive director of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Utah since 1999, said in a statement to the center's board of directors that she plans to return to Seattle to spend more time with her children. She also plans to continue working on gay and lesbian issues.

"I feel that I have accomplished as much as I can, personally and professional," she said. "Because I truly believe in this movement, it has been exceptionally difficult to make this decision. My reasons are multiple, not the least of which includes the recent legislative session."

During the Legislative session that ended earlier this month, two bills passed that specifically targeted gay marriage, one of which clarified that state law only permits marriage between "a man and a woman" and another which placed a Utah Constitutional amendment prohibiting homosexual marriage on the ballot.

Revenues for the center have almost doubled during Wolfe's tenure, from $206,000 in 1999 to $504,000 in 2003. She has also helped implement new programs at the center which target gay women and youth and expanded the annual Pride Festival.

Michael Mitchell, executive director of Equality Utah, said that he doubts that Wolfe's departure portends other departures by gays from the state. If anything, the recently completed session and the upcoming campaign season — when anti-gay rhetoric is practically guaranteed to continue — will only inspire more gay people to become politically active.

"The last legislative session was bruising, but I don't think you will see a mass exodus," Mitchell said. "In fact, we're all getting geared up for a good fight."

While Mitchell represents one of the state's most active gay rights activist organizations, Wolfe worked for the apolitical community center. Mitchell said that the center has been a valuable source of information and one of the core places for gay people to gather as a community.

"The center's been a gathering spot," he said. "It's a supportive place for people coming out and for their families, and they've done great work for homeless, gay youth. She will be missed."

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E-mail: jloftin@desnews.com