BID ON HEELS OR BUY FESTIVAL TICKETS IN SUPPORT OF UTAH FILM CENTER
AND
DAMN THESE HEELS QUEER FILM FESTIVAL
Damn These Heels Queer Film Festival turns 20 this year!
The inspiration for the festival name came from the idea that if anyone walks a mile in someone else’s shoes, we can grow to better understand and respect each other. As the Mountain West’s longest running LGBTQ+ film festival, Damn These Heels fully champions the humanity, resilience, creativity, and respect we can find for one another.
The Heel Project helps support that story and bidding on the heels helps support the Festival.
Thank you to Verse for their support of the Damn These Heels Queer Film Festival!
THE HEELS
Gia Bianca Stephens Signed Heels
Utah’s most celebrated Showgirl Gia Bianca has competed in 5 national pageants, won multiple regional and state titles, and built the successful weekly drag show, Quorum of the Queens. She won Miss Gay New York in 2022 and will be competing in this year’s National Miss Gay America Competition. She is also the founder and owner of GBS Entertainment LLC and the VP of Development for the Utah Pride Center.
Princess Kennedy Signed Heels
Princess Kennedy (She/Her) has deep roots in Salt Lake City. She coordinated Utah’s first queer prom in 1988 when she was just 18. Kennedy was the founder of UGLY (Utah Gay and Lesbian Youth). Kennedy was a lead singer in San Francisco’s legendary trans/drag rock sensation PEPPER SPRAY. Known internationally as a party queen turned community advocate and inspiration to all those wanting to live their truth.
TERRY Stephens Signed Heels
Terry Stephens (he/him) is an artist, philanthropist, and world adventurer. Terry’s work has been on shown in Salt Lake and San Francisco. He flexes his creative muscles supporting the Damn These Heels film festival with original mixed media pieces including masks, large-scale line drawings, paintings, and custom high heels shoes. He is an active member of the arts and cultural community and supports several nonprofit arts organizations through the Terrance K. Stephens Foundation.
Jackie biskupski Signed Heels
Jackie Biskupski (She/Her) Boss Babe and former Mayor of Salt Lake City. Jackie is a well-known climate champion and political figure in Utah. Her political career spanned city, county, and state government. In 2015 Biskupski was elected the 35th mayor of Salt Lake City. The win made her Utah’s first gay mayor. Mayor Biskupski also created the Department of Economic Development. Since then, Salt Lake City has benefited from a half-billion dollars in investments and the creation of 6,000 new jobs.
Project Rainbow Signed Heels
Project Rainbow Utah is a 501c3 organization founded in 2018 to create widespread, visible demonstrations of community love and support for LGBTQ+ individuals. Their vision is one of neighborhoods across the state blanketed with rainbow flags to create powerful feelings of acceptance, caring, and safety for anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+. Funds raised by donations from flag rentals are distributed to community organizations that further increase LGBTQ+ support and visibility throughout Utah.
