Latest news with #UtahPrideParade
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Utah Pride Parade tries to present welcoming message
A large roar erupted from a crowd gathered along 100 South when members of an LGBTQ motorcycle club revved their engines, signaling the start of the 35th annual Utah Pride Parade. That enthusiasm carried for blocks Sunday as tens of thousands of spectators waved Pride flags and all sorts of rainbow-colored items toward the more than 100 organizations and businesses that made their way through the downtown Salt Lake City route. Some came with signs reading messages like 'Love First,' 'Everyone is welcome' and 'My existence is not political.' Many who came said they wanted to show their support during another complex time for the LGBTQ community. 'I think a lot of political things have happened recently, and I think more than ever it's important to support Pride,' said Autumn Krogh, who traveled from South Jordan to attend the downtown event with her 3-year-old pet pig, Cuzzie, which was wearing a rainbow-colored hat and bandana. Sunday's parade followed a series of other events this weekend, including a march to the state Capitol and an interfaith worship service. That's on top of a two-day festival that brought together members of the LGBTQ community and allies alike. While these types of events have taken place for decades, this year's events may have appeared to be more poignant. Some say new state and federal policies and decisions, such as this year's HB77, have left many in the community feeling targeted. HB77 became law last month, prohibiting governments and schools from flying Pride flags and other flags deemed political. Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton, the bill's sponsor, said the move was meant to maintain political neutrality in public spaces. 'What we're trying to do here is make sure that we have neutrality as it pertains to politics,' he explained as the bill was going through the legislative process earlier this year. Lee made headlines again last week after he said he would seek 'significant legislation' against 'woke groups' after the Utah Mammoth and Utah Jazz posted messages recognizing Pride month on the social platform X. Those comments didn't stop the Jazz and Mammoth from having a spot in Sunday's parade. Members of the Salt Lake City Council, a majority of whom identify as queer, were also among the groups that paraded down the street along with other city employees. Many waved the city's new 'Sego Belonging' flags, a Progress Pride flag with the city's sego lily logo on top that the city adopted as a new city flag last month, along with the other designs, to bypass the new state law. This year's parade is 'more important now than ever' because of the current political climate, said Elliott Ramirez, a member of Utah Pride Guard, which participated in the event. Natalie Wolff, who attended the parade, agrees. 'We need to be here and show, support and love, and not be scared to use our voices to make sure there are not going to be laws that are going to take away rights that they've all fought so hard for — that we've all fought so hard for,' she said. Seeing the large outpouring of support Sunday was 'magical' and helped reinforce why Salt Lake City has taken steps to support the LGBTQ community, added Salt Lake City Council Vice Chairman Alejandro Puy, who rode down the route with a Sego Belonging flag attached to the back of his new motorcycle. Puy added that he wished more state politicians would come to events like Sunday's parade to see what the events are like. 'There's a lot of discourse about what this means. Is it political? Is this to separate? Is this to discriminate? No. Nobody is discriminating here. Everyone is welcome,' he said. 'This is about everybody. This is about celebrating our differences.' Contributing: Andrew Adams
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
Pride Festival: Here are the street closures happening in Salt Lake City
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Several road closures are set for downtown Salt Lake City this weekend while Pride Festival takes place, according to Salt Lake City Police. The Utah Pride Festival begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, and will end at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 8. The event will reportedly be held in and around Washington Square. Several roads near the City and County Building will be fully closed or will have reduced traffic lanes, including 200 East between 400 South and 500 South, which is currently closed as crews set up, according to SLCPD. Thousands of people are expected to attend the festival over the two-day event this weekend. Drivers are asked to take additional precautions — including the use of carpooling, public transportation, or a rideshare service to avoid congestion. While there are a number of Pride events happening, the Utah Pride Parade takes place on Sunday, June 8. The parade is Utah's biggest LGBTQIA+ event, hosting nearly 150,000 spectators and participants annually — free of charge and open to everyone. See below for a map of the parade route in downtown Salt Lake City. 2025 marks the 35th year the pride parade takes place. SLCPD will also be on high alert to ensure that the parade is a peaceful event. 'The Salt Lake City Police Department recognizes our responsibility to investigate hate crimes thoroughly and impartially to hold offenders accountable and help ensure justice for survivors,' SLCPD said in a press release. 'The Salt Lake City Police Department educates its officers and detectives and works with our community to recognize, and condemn, hate crimes, and works to prevent them from occurring in the future.' SLCPD is reportedly part of a 'Community Partners Against Hate' initiative that brings city, regional, and state leaders together to condemn hate. If you are a victim of a hate crime, or witness a hate crime, here are some resources you can use: Call 911: If the crime is in-progress or there is an immediate threat to the safety of yourself or others. File a police report by calling 801-799-3000 and asking to speak with an officer about filing a hate crime report. Request assistance from an SLCPD Victim Advocate. You can call 801-799-3000 and ask to speak with a victim advocate or call 801-580-7969 24/7. Ram kills the $40K truck, brings back the HEMI Assassin dancers, existential nuns, and comedy that cuts deep Two inmates charged for allegedly stabbing 'rival gang member' at Utah State Prison FBI offers $5,000 reward for information on Montana teen missing for 8 months Pride Festival: Here are the street closures happening in Salt Lake City Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
It's Pride Month in Salt Lake City. Here's your guide to events
Salt Lake City's busiest Pride weekend has arrived. Here are the events you need to know about to celebrate. Friday 🪩 Pride youth dance: Shake it off at this retro dance party for ages 14-20, featuring a photo booth and mocktails. When: 8-11pm Where: Salt Lake City Main Library Atrium Admission: $8 Saturday 🪧 Rally and march: The Utah Pride Center and Equality Utah will organize this rally with multiple speakers. When: 10am Where: Utah State Capitol 🏳️🌈 Utah Pride Festival: The state's largest LGBTQ+ celebration returns with performances by David Archuleta, CupcakKe and more. Where: Washington and Library Square When: 11am-10:30pm Saturday; Noon-7pm Sunday Sunday 🥁 Utah Pride Parade: Roughly 150,000 attendees are expected at the parade. When: 10am Where: The route will stretch from 100 South and West Temple to 400 East and 300 South. Upcoming events this month 🛍️ Millcreek Pride: This celebration will feature a Pride market, car wash, runway contest and bingo. When: Noon-10pm June 14 Where: Millcreek Common 🎶 SLC Pride: This event is back for its second year and will feature a queer youth market and live entertainment. Bike valet will be available.
