Photo Credit: Victor Hugo Pinilla-Coxe (my friend)
I moved to Utah 27 years ago, end of May 1987. I already knew a few LGBTQ people, mostly from college and campus ministry, and a couple in my small home town. AIDS was still kind of new, and scary. My church has long welcomed everyone, and I had friends: they were a lesbian couple with two adopted children.
Equal marriage was a fantasy, barely on the radar. Mostly, I wanted my friends to be safe, and able to have jobs & places to live. I moved away, back, away again, and finally back 16.5 years ago.
As you may have heard, there is equal marriage breaking out all over our country. Court cases for every state without it right now. Utah had 17 blessed days of equal marriage last winter. Now, we are waiting and waiting to hear from the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. And we are waiting, like all of you, for June 2015 and SCOTUS.
I want equal civil and social rights for all people. Just all people. I am teaching my two children this also. For years, I sat in my chair and blogged about stuff here and a couple other places. Last fall, I went out and about and became involved in local politics. I was asked to help with a few things around the Utah Pride Festival, and even though I have my kids this weekend, I said “YES!”
Yesterday, I took cash for entry at the Utah Pride Festival, with the Women’s Democratic Club. Kos-friend Ballerina XX invited me several times, and I finally went two months ago to their Lunch!
This morning, I registered voters along the parade route with some friends. Then I checked on my kids, and stayed for communion with Utah Pride Interfaith Coalition. My church walks with this group! The kids and I also went to the service Thursday night.
My kids with me! They dressed in rainbow colors!
Photo Credit: Victor Hugo Pinilla-Coxe
Then back to the Women’s Democratic Club to see the float, and chat, and wait, and decide which candidates to hold signs for, wear T-shirts for, etc. I am working with the county party, and several candidates, and I am the official Volunteer Coordinator for Chris Stout. He is in a primary, so he walked right after our State Attorney General candidate. This is also in the news, since the two previous AG’s are in trouble with the FBI, among other agencies. I ended up with a Charles Stormont T-shirt and a Chris Stout sign.
The Capitol 13 have their own story in activism.
A few people disagreed with us. We will love them anyway!
One float I saw while we were waiting! This parade was a BIG DEAL! Over 100 entries.
Our Attorney General candidate can hulahoop! With the County Sheriff candidate supporters in the background.
Peter Corroon also can hulahoop it up! He is a former Mayor of Salt Lake County, and is now our State Party Chair.
This is my friend Valerie, the Campaign Manager for Charles Stormont, and his lovely wife! Their children are also in this darling car!
A few spectators were on top of this downtown building!
Lest you think Utah is not fun, here is one other picture from my friend Vincent!
After I walked with my candidate, I walked quickly and RAN back to the start of the parade, and walked the route again with my children, church, and the Interfaith Coalition.
The last entry in the parade is the Interfaith Coalition Rainbow Giant Banner. Here it is just as they start to roll it up. These two photos are from my friend Sarah Bang.
Everyone was there! Mormons Building Bridges! Some very special Boy Scouts! Thanks to the Utah Pride Center for this great event!
I hope you enjoy my pictures, and the 3 I am using from my friend Victor. Please ask questions, and please believe there is always hope!
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