Salt Lake City is a large city in the midst of an interesting change.
We see a rise in support of the LGBTQ community in the heart of a state who just a year ago repealed legislature SB196, the bill that removed the phrase “the advocacy of homosexuality” from schools. As we may expect from one of the most conservative states in the nation, the journey hasn’t been an easy one for the LGBTQ community.
Dealing with the current government seems to leave the fate of the LGBTQ community up in the air. In the most conservative states in America, things may be even dicier.
In the religious state of Utah, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a lot of power, as over 60 percent of those who live in Utah are Mormon. Pair that with a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that potentially allows religious beliefs to overrule laws that protect LGBTQ rights, possibly undoing years of progress to help millions across the nation in conservative states.
Yet looking around this past week, Salt Lake was alive and vibrant with the colors of the pride flag.
From home to home, it seems more people than ever across Salt Lake City have been representing and are proud of the LGBTQ community. Numbers are reflecting upward trend of support, as attendance numbers have steadily risen over the years.
With the amazing amount of support flooding into the community comes hope. In a country with a president openly prosecuting trans people, as well as belittling the LGBTQ movement, it should give the people hope as more and more people have been showing support.
As a community, we should be able to choose how we live and who we love, free of prosecution. Even facing what seems to be outstanding odds, living in this state, we have fostered a community of strong pride and support of the LGBTQ community. I hope we continue to grow and nurture this support as a community.
