"As an indigenous person, the Two-spirit have always had a place in our indigenous society. Richardson wore a traditional skirt with the symbol of her tribe on its front and colorful stitching of two dancing figures, which she said represent Richardson and her bisexual daughter. The event was part of Pride Week activities to support Utah's LGBTQ community. Participants carry balloons spelling out the word “Pride” during the Rainbow March and Rally that began at the state Capitol before heading to Liberty Park in Salt Lake City on Sunday, June 6, 2021. "It's where all our friends are," she said.
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it's like home."Īnn Clark, Jerek Clark's mother who attended with him, noted that she volunteered at the Utah Pride Center for seven years and often brought her child with her. "I've been in the queer community for a decade and. "I feel like the political situation is still bad but I have a lot more faith that things can change," Clark said. It's been so hard lately with everything going on," said attendee Jerek Clark, referencing COVID-19 and the 2020 election. "We love coming out and supporting the community. "I just barely moved up here and I'm here with my beautiful partner to show support," added Aidan Funai, Allan's partner. "Last year I didn't get to do pride like this, so I'm happy that I can do it this year." "I started questioning last year right as COVID hit and so I didn't really have like anyone hardly to talk to about it," said attendee Hallie Allan, who wore a yellow and purple flag representing the nonbinary community around their neck.
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Mendenhall also said Salt Lake City would not have its identity as a leader in the state and the region in progressive communities, love and diversity without its members of the LGBTQ community.Īfter a year of being apart due to the pandemic, coming together to celebrate was especially important for many attendees. She said Pride Month is a time when "we celebrate the diversity and the beauty that makes us who we are." "We are celebrating the beautiful spectrum of your souls," Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall told the crowd before the march began. As the march concluded in Liberty Park, the balloon arches were joined together to create one massive arch with over 1,000 balloons. The event - organized by the Utah Pride Center - began with a rally on the steps of the state Capitol before attendees marched through the streets of downtown Salt Lake City.ĭozens of attendees carried a 200-foot pride flag through the streets as they marched underneath rainbow-colored balloon arches set up along State Street. SALT LAKE CITY - The state Capitol transformed into a sea of rainbow on Sunday as hundreds gathered to march, celebrate and commemorate Pride Month.