My friend Jere’s most recent monthly column for Outlands (”The West’s GLBT Magazine”) focuses on gay Utah bloggers, including in its introduction a great reality-check for anyone who believes the stereotype about the homogenous nature of Utah culture and society:

Somehow people around the world believe that the Beehive State is remarkably uninteresting except for the large masses of sameness. The truth is, Utah is an interesting study in contrasts. From the Wasatch Front to the salt flats, or the Great Salt Lake to the buttes of Zion National Park, from the relatively liberal Salt Lake County to the “I can’t believe it’s not 1984″ Reagan-loving climate of Utah County (Provo), or the young ski bums in Park City to the sixth-generation ranchers in rural Southern Utah - it’s easy to see why no two people ever have quite the same thoughts and experiences about the state, the cultural climate and other wonders.

See? It’s only Utah politics that are remarkably uninteresting because they’re stuck in the same, same, same place as they were in 1955.

Anyway, Jere goes on to discuss the diverse perspectives of bloggers in our ever-expanding gay Utah blogworld, including a flattering, very kind mention of Zionide:

Any discussion of gay Utah bloggers must begin with Zionide. Begun in January of 2003, if it isn’t the first gay Utah blog, it’s certainly the closest and most well known. Nick, the blogger, posts topics ranging from the up-close and personal to current events, and has subtitled the page “Raising IQs, One Mormon at a Time.” It’s an appropriate subtitle, as Nick’s posts generally show a thoughtful and considered perspective on his experiences of the world.

Awww… isn’t that nice?

Jere must’ve gotten my payment on time, after all.