Utah Pride Festival Explained

Utah Pride Festival
Status:Active
Genre:Pride parade
Location:Salt Lake City, Utah
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The Utah Pride Festival is a festival held in downtown Salt Lake City in June celebrating Utah's diversity and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. The event is a program of the Utah Pride Center, and includes the state's second-largest parade, after the Days of '47 Parade.[1]

Festivities

The festival includes the parade, a film festival, the Dyke March, members of the Bear Clan, Leathermen, and the Sisters of bondage subcultures, an interfaith service by the Utah Pride Interfaith Coalition,[2] 5K charity run, and related parties and receptions.

Participation in the festival cuts across a broad spectrum of Utahans. Past speakers during the celebration have ranged from Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, who was quoted in support of same sex marriage, to Utah Rep. Jackie Biskupski, the state's first openly lesbian legislator (later became Salt Lake City's first openly lesbian mayor).

The festival's last day (Sunday) begins with the parade. Participants have included Mayor Ralph Becker,[3] County Mayor Ben McAdams, a group of uniformed Boy Scouts, the largest group - Mormons Building Bridges, Mormons for Equality, the Provo Pride Council, Westminster College (Utah), and Weber State University.[4] Over 140[5] organizations, sponsors, and religious groups participate.[6] A large rainbow flag fills the street at the back of the parade.[7]

History

The festival began in 1977 when the Salt Lake Coalition for Human Rights sponsored a three-day conference. (then called Gay Mormons United) was founded during this conference, on June 11.[8] The 1978 keynote speakers were David Kopay, the first NFL player to come out of the closet, and U.S. Air Force Sgt. Leonard Matlovich, an ex-Mormon who was the first openly gay person to appear on the cover of Time magazine.[9]

Utah Pride Inc. was created in 1989 through 2004 as a project of the Gay and Lesbian Community Council of Utah. The project was renamed Pride of Utah in 2006.[9] [10] [11]

The first Pride march in the state was held June 27, 1990 at the state capitol building. It began on the steps of the capitol, went down Main street, and ended on South Temple at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (then the Salt Lake Art Center).[12] It included a procession of 270.[13] In 1991, the Utah Stonewall Center opened and Pride festivities moved to the Salt Lake County Fairgrounds in Murray, Utah.[14] The march attracted twice as many participants along with opposition by members of the Aryan Nation. The Pride Day Art Expo and Competition was created to award local artists with its Lesbian and Gay Pride Art Award and the Mapplethorpe Award.

In 1997, a football field-length pride flag was made to carry down the parade route. It was produced by Rev. Bruce Barton of the Metropolitan Community Church of Salt Lake City, UT along with a dozen helpers (including Bruce Harmon, Jeff Freedman, Carrie Gayler, Lynn Sasaki, Terry Gillman and Garth Snyder) who called it a "tremendous symbol of pride and unity.” Completed the day of the parade (June 8 at 4:15 am), this 300 foot long flag was composed of 35 bolts of lightweight fabric in six colors. It took more than 80 hours to sew. Over 100 marchers would hold the sides. People often threw donations onto the flag, and children would run around underneath. The first flag bearers were members of the Utah Gay and Lesbian Youth group and some others that did not belong to a community organization. They took it from the Utah State Capitol Building, down State Street, past the LDS Church Office Building, and on to the Salt Lake City and County Building. By 2012, the original flag had seen better days, and a new one from Colonial Flag was purchased for $5,000. It is 30x200 feet and made of nylon, with hand holds every 18 inches. Also, Utah Pride Center gifted Moab Pride their own 100 foot flag.[15]

In 2004, an estimated 50,000 people attended, the largest since the festival began.[8] However, in 2005, the first year in which an admission was charged, attendance at the festival was 15,000 to 20,000. Some have attributed this decline to patrons not wanting to pay for admission to the festival. Festival organizers argued that it was the first year in which an accurate method of counting the attendance was employed and that the numbers did not reflect a drop in attendance.[16]

In 2011 the first local pride festival was held in Moab, Utah.

The 2012 festival included performers Frenchie Davis and Prince Poppycock[17]

In 2013, pride spread to Provo, Utah, with their first pride.

In 2014, Mayor Ralph Becker threw a private wedding reception for couples whose marriages he performed on the first day that same-sex marriage became legal in Utah.[18]

Pride reached Ogden, Utah, in 2015 when they held their first pride festival.

2016 was the first year panel discussions were held during the festival, inside the Salt Lake City Public Library.[19]

2020 saw the festival postponed till September due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but ultimately happened in October, with the First Utah Pride Road Ralley.[20] 2021 was restructured as a Pride Week, much like early pride festivals of the early 1990s due to the ongoing wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and issues with ensuring proper health for the populace with vaccinated/unvaccinated peoples. Events included walk through exhibits, online inter-faith, and a march starting near the Utah State Capitol building at 300 North State St., marchers carried the 300 foot rainbow flag and the first balloon arch. The flag and balloon arch marched down State Street and met the next balloon arch, and then the next balloon arch, and the next, until all had joined together to create a massive balloon arch of over 1000 balloons, as the march reached Harvey Milk Boulevard and 600 east at Liberty Park.[21]

Utah Pride Festival History
YearDatesFestival nameThemeGrand MarshalEstimated attendanceLocation
May 1974Beer Bust Kegger
1975June 1Gay Freedom Day[22]
1976Memorial Day Kegger
1977June 10 – 12Human Rights400
1978JunePride DayLeonard Matlovich, David Kopay
1983Day in the ParkBasket SocialFairmont Park, SLC UT[23]
1984June 24Day in the ParkWe Are What We Are[24] 1300-1700Fairmont Park, SLC UT
1985Day in the Park Sunnyside Park, SLC UT
1986July 13Day in the Park200 Pioneer Park, SLC UT
1987July 12Day in the Park300-400 Sunnyside Park, SLC UT
1988July 17Day in the Park1200 Sunnyside Park, SLC UT
1989July 30Day in the ParkA Generation of Pride[25] Salt Lake City Councilman Tom Gottfried1300 Sunnyside Park, SLC UT
1990Pride DayLook to the FutureDr. Kristen RiesSunnyside Park, SLC UT
1991June 14–27Pride WeekTogether in PrideDell Richards[26] Salt Lake County Fair Grounds
1992June 15–23Pride WeekPride=PowerDanny Williams[27] Salt Lake County Fair Grounds
1993Walter LarabeeSalt Lake County Fair Grounds
1994June 12Pride DayStonewall: Twenty-five Years Remembered, Twenty-five Years of ProgressBen Williams[28] 4000 Northwest Recreation and Community Center, SLC UT)
19955000 The Gallivan Center, SLC UT)[29]
1996June 9Pride DayPride... Without BordersChaz Bono[30]
1997June 8Utah Pride DayEquality Through VisibilityCandace Gingrich[31]
1998June 14Utah Pride DayUnity Through DiversityCharlene Orchard and Debra Burrington[32]
1999June 13Utah Pride DayPrideful Past/Powerful FutureDan Marshalls with local grand marshals Gary and Millie Watts[33]
2000MayUtah Pride DayA New Era of PrideRep Jackie Biskupski[34] [35]
2001June 7 – 10Utah PrideEmbracing DiversityMayor of Salt Lake City Rocky Anderson[36]
2002June 9Utah Pride DayUnity in the Community- Change From WithinAlicia Suazo[37]
2003Be Yourself Out Loud
2004June 11 – 13Utah PrideCome Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are!Bruce Bastian[38] 50,000
2005June 8 – 12Utah PrideEqual Rights. No More. No Less.15,000 - 20,000
2006June 1 – 4Utah Pride Week[39] Pride, Not PrejudiceBoyer Jarvis, Ph.D[40] 20,000[41]
2007June 1 – 3Utah Pride Days[42] United for EqualityJohn Amaechi[43]
2008June 6 – 8Utah PrideCome TogetherRalph Becker[44] [45]
2009June 5 – 7Utah Pride FestivalPride. Voice. Action.Cleve Jones[46] 20,000[47] Salt Lake City-County Building
2010June 4 – 6Utah Pride FestivalOur History, Our FutureSister Dottie S. Dixon[48] 25,000Salt Lake City-County Building
2011June 3 – 5Utah Pride FestivalLive. Love. Pride.Roseanne Barr[49] 28,000[50] Salt Lake City-County Building
2012June 1 – 3Utah Pride FestivalChanging Hearts and LivesDustin Lance Black[51] 33,000 Salt Lake City-County Building
2013May 30 – June 2Utah Pride FestivalGotta Be Real-Equality[52] David Testo[53] 35,000Salt Lake City-County Building
2014June 5 – 8Utah Pride FestivalLove Equals LoveThe Three Couples from Utah's Marriage Equality Case: Laurie Wood and Kody Partridge, Moudi Sbeity and Derek Kitchen, Kate Call and Karen Archer[54] 57,000 Salt Lake City-County Building
2015June 4 – 7Utah Pride FestivalPride Is...Janet Mock[55] 65,000 Salt Lake City-County Building
2016June 3 – 5Utah Pride Festival
  1. WeArePride
Pride Icon Award Recipients: Jimmy Lee and Connell O'Donovan[56] 100,000[57] Salt Lake City-County Building
2017June 2 – 4Utah Pride FestivalPride Elevated50,000[58] Salt Lake City-County Building
2018June 2 – 3Utah Pride FestivalGet Salty100,000[59] Salt Lake City-County Building
2019May 31-June 2Utah Pride FestivalExist. Resist. Persist: Celebrating 50 Years of Stonewall.35,000[60] Salt Lake City-County Building
2020October 11, 2020 Utah Pride Road Rally (Pride 2.0)[61] Love On, Live OnSeveral thousand along route beginning heading south at Main Street and 700 S to Main Street and 2100, returning in "U" turn, turning onto 2100 S, then heading north on State Street and 2100 S to State Street and 700 S, the origin point (700 S).[62] Salt Lake City-County Building
2021June 1-7Pride Week 2021[63] A-Maze-Ing[64] Salt Lake City-County Building, Washington Square City-County Building, Liberty Park
2022May 29-June 5Pride Week 2022I Am Utah[65]

See also

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Utah Days Of '47 Parade Denies Entry For Mormon LGBT Float. June 10, 2014. The Huffington Post. Associated Press. May 9, 2014.
  2. Web site: Utah Pride 2007 kicks off with Interfaith Service. The Salt Lake Tribune. May 26, 2007.
  3. News: McCarthy. Christine L.. Thousands Celebrate Utah Pride As Ruling On Same-Sex Marriage Looms. Jun 12, 2014. KUTV. Sinclair Broadcasting Group. June 9, 2014.
  4. News: Pyle. Skyler. Wildcats show their colors at Utah Pride parade. June 12, 2014. The Signpost. June 9, 2014.
  5. News: Romboy. Dennis. Gay marriage issue pumps up Utah Pride Parade. Jun 12, 2014. Deseret News. June 8, 2014.
  6. News: McCombs. Brady. Gay marriage victories focus of gay pride parade. June 12, 2014. Houston Chronicle. Associated Press. June 8, 2014.
  7. News: Canham. Matt. Manley. Danielle. Gay couples who made history lead Utah Pride Parade (videos). June 12, 2014. The Salt Lake Tribune. June 8, 2014.
  8. Web site: Affirmation . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060430002543/http://affirmation.org/memorial/historical_events.shtml . April 30, 2006 . .
  9. Book: Pride Guide 1996. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City. Gay and Lesbian Community Council of Utah. June 1996. 12.
  10. Web site: Utah Pride Inc.. Business Search. Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code. 1989. February 28, 2013.
  11. Web site: Pride of Utah. Business Search. Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code. 2006. February 28, 2013.
  12. Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah records ACCN 1918, Box 23 Reference Files P-R, Folder 3 Pride Day Utah 1989-2001: Utah's First March for Lesbian and Gay Pride flyer. 1991. Special Collections Manuscripts Division, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah Stonewall Center.
  13. News: Evans. Whitney. Pride weekend in Salt Lake City has changed over the years. June 12, 2014. Deseret News. June 6, 2014.
  14. News: Brophy. Steven M.. Utah gays and lesbians celebrate Pride Day with weekend activities. The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City. D-2. Kearns-Tribune LLC. June 5, 1997. February 27, 2013.
  15. News: S.L. Gay Parade Boasts Usual Fun, But Pride Presides; Gay Parade: Pride, Unity Themes of Day. June 9, 1997. The Salt Lake Tribune. June 8, 2018.
  16. Web site: SL Metro . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070928070804/http://slmetro.com/2005/14/local03.shtml . September 28, 2007 .
  17. Web site: Utah Pride - Announcing 2012 Headliners. April 30, 2012.
  18. News: Winslow. Ben. Utah Pride Festival kicks off as decision on same-sex marriage nears. June 12, 2014. Fox13. June 6, 2014.
  19. News: Parade, Music, 5K Highlight, Utah Pride Festival. KSL News. June 3, 2016. June 6, 2016.
  20. Web site: Utah Revisits Pride Tradition with First Road Rally. Daily Utah Chronicle. September 13, 2020. June 5, 2020.
  21. Web site: Utah Pride 2021 Preview. QSalt Lake. May 2, 2021. June 5, 2021.
  22. Web site: Q Salt Lake - The History of Utah Pride. May 26, 2011. April 30, 2012.
  23. Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah records ACCN 1918, Box 23 Reference Files P-R, Folder 3 Pride Day Utah 1989-2001: Pride Day Chairs. Special Collections Manuscripts Division, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah Stonewall Center.
  24. Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah records ACCN 1918, Box 23 Reference Files P-R, Folder 3 Pride Day Utah 1989-2001: Newspaper article "Gay Pride Day: 1984", Salt City Source, March 15, 1984. Special Collections Manuscripts Division, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah Stonewall Center.
  25. Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah records ACCN 1918, Box 23 Reference Files P-R, Folder 3 Pride Day Utah 1989-2001: Newspaper article "Gay and lesbian Community of S.L Celebrates 'A Generation of Pride'", Salt Lake Tribune, July 31, 1989. Special Collections Manuscripts Division, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah Stonewall Center.
  26. Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah records ACCN 1918, Box 23 Reference Files P-R, Folder 4 Pride Day Utah 1989-2001: Utah Gay and Lesbian Pride 1991. Special Collections Manuscripts Division, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah Stonewall Center.
  27. Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah records ACCN 1918, Box 23 Reference Files P-R, Folder 4 Pride Day Utah 1989-2001: Utah Gay and Lesbian Pride 1992. Special Collections Manuscripts Division, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah Stonewall Center.
  28. Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah records ACCN 1918, Box 23 Reference Files P-R, Folder 4 Pride Day Utah 1989-2001: Utah Gay and Lesbian Pride 1994. Special Collections Manuscripts Division, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah Stonewall Center.
  29. News: Ure. Jon. 12 June 1995. Gay-Pride Celebration Draws Thousands. The Salt Lake Tribune.
  30. Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah records ACCN 1918, Box 23 Reference Files P-R, Folder 4 Pride Day Utah 1989-2001: Pride Guide 1996. Special Collections Manuscripts Division, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
  31. Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah records ACCN 1918, Box 23 Reference Files P-R, Folder 4 Pride Day Utah 1989-2001: Utah Pride Guide 1997. Special Collections Manuscripts Division, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah Stonewall Center.
  32. Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah records ACCN 1918, Box 23 Reference Files P-R, Folder 4 Pride Day Utah 1989-2001: Utah Pride Guide 1998. Special Collections Manuscripts Division, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah Stonewall Center.
  33. Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah records ACCN 1918, Box 23 Reference Files P-R, Folder 4 Pride Day Utah 1989-2001: Utah Pride Day 1999. Special Collections Manuscripts Division, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah Stonewall Center.
  34. Book: Ben. Williams. May 2000. Official Guide to Utah Pride Day 2000. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah Pride Day Inc..
  35. Utah Pride Center records ACCN 1918, Box 39 Ben Williams Files, Folder 2 Pride Day: Official Guide to Utah Pride Day 2000. Special Collections Manuscripts Division, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah Stonewall Center.
  36. Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah records ACCN 1918, Box 23 Reference Files P-R, Folder 4 Pride Day Utah 1989-2001: Official Guide to Utah Pride Day 2001. Special Collections Manuscripts Division, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah Stonewall Center.
  37. Book: Sherry. Booth. May 2002. Official Guide to Utah Pride Day 2002. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Utah Pride Day Inc..
  38. Web site: Deseret News - Wedding float is highlight of Utah Pride parade in S.L.. . June 15, 2004.
  39. Web site: Utah Pride 2006. The Salt Lake Tribune. June 2, 2006.
  40. Book: Michael. Aaron. Q Salt Lake "Guide to Pride". June 1–15, 2006. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Salt Lick Publishing.
  41. Web site: Utah Pride - Press Releases . Utah Pride . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070101090459/http://www.utahpride.org/web/pressreleases/WrapUpPressRelease.pdf . January 1, 2007 .
  42. Web site: Utah Festivals List. The Salt Lake Tribune. May 20, 2007.
  43. Web site: Utah Pride Festivities. Deseret News. June 4, 2007.
  44. Web site: Utah Pride Festival Schedule. The Salt Lake Tribune. June 2, 2008.
  45. Web site: Becker Leads Utah Pride Festivities on Friday. The Salt Lake Tribune. June 1, 2008.
  46. Web site: Governor, Entertainer Honored with Pride Festival Awards. QSaltLake Magazine. May 25, 2009.
  47. Web site: KSL - Pride Parade draws thousands to downtown Salt Lake City. June 6, 2010.
  48. Web site: Sister Dottie: Utah Pride Festival Grand Marshal 2010. QSaltLake Magazine. May 16, 2015.
  49. Web site: Thousands Celebrate Diversity, Individuality at Utah Pride Festival. Deseret News. June 5, 2011. April 30, 2012.
  50. Web site: Q Salt Lake - 2011 in Review. December 22, 2011. April 30, 2012.
  51. Web site: Utah Pride Grand Marshal for 2012 Festival: Dustin Lance Black. April 30, 2012.
  52. Web site: Utah Pride Center Gears Up for 2013 Pride Festival. Q Salt Lake. March 14, 2013.
  53. Web site: Utah Pride Festival Grand Marshal Reception. The Salt Lake Tribune. May 19, 2014.
  54. Web site: Utah Pride 2015: Grand Marshals. QSaltLake. May 22, 2014. June 6, 2016.
  55. Utah Pride 2015 (insert section in May 28, 2015 issue of Salt Lake City Weekly), pp. 20=36
  56. Web site: Joint release of The Utah Pride Center and Christopher & Teinamarrie Scuderi regarding the 2016 Utah Pride Festival Icon awards. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/274806413960/10153876232268961 . 2022-02-26 . limited. Utah Pride Center. June 6, 2016.
  57. Web site: Utah Pride Announces Parade Winners. QSaltLake. June 6, 2016. June 6, 2016.
  58. Web site: 100,000 Turn out for 43rd Annual Utah Pride Parade to Celebrate Acceptance, Organizers Say. KSL. June 4, 2017. June 11, 2018.
  59. Web site: Tens of Thousands Celebrate Diversity at Utah Pride Parade Downtown. Deseret News. June 4, 2018. June 11, 2018.
  60. Web site: Utah Pride Festival will draw thousands to celebrate LGBTQ rights, 50 years since Stonewall riots. Salt Lake Tribune. June 3, 2019. July 10, 2019.
  61. Web site: Utah Revisits Pride Tradition with First Road Rally. Daily Utah Chronicle. September 13, 2020. June 5, 2020.
  62. Web site: What is the Utah Pride Road Rally 2020?. Utah Pride Center. October 11, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201201044512/https://pride.utah.edu/. June 5, 2021. December 1, 2020.
  63. Web site: With the Parade Cancelled, Here's How You Can Still Celebrate Pride Week. Salt Lake Tribune. June 2, 2021. June 5, 2021.
  64. Web site: Utah Pride 2021 Preview. QSalt Lake. May 2, 2021. June 5, 2021.
  65. Web site: A Guide to Utah Pride 2022. Salt Lake Magazine. May 31, 2022. June 3, 2022.