Organizers pleased with 1st Provo Utah Pride Festival

PROVO, Utah (AP) — Organizers of the inaugural Provo Pride Festival say they're pleased with the turnout and community support, and they plan to stage the event again next year.

The festival, which featured booths, music and games Saturday at Memorial Park, was designed to increase acceptance of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendercommunity in one of Utah's most conservative cities.

David Pate, president of the Provo Pride Council, said the festival was a step toward accepting people for who they are, but there's still a long way to go.

He noted 30 percent of youth suicides and 40 percent of homeless teens are from the LGBT community and that Utah's rates are even higher — statistics he blamed on rejection by their parents.

"For far too long in Utah County, the LGBT community has been ignored, rejected and their existence denied, and this is just a way of saying we're here and accept us for who we are," Pate told Provo's Daily Herald. "I think that any kind of ignorance or bigotry will bring a whole community down."

Participant Steven Janke said the festival opened doors to acceptance in Utah County.

"Provo is my hometown and it's really cool they are hosting this," he told KTVX-TV. "A conservative city (is) hosting this and it's really nice seeing the community branch out."

The Salt Lake Tribune reported that the group Mormons Building Bridges offered festival participants "free hugs from a Mormon."

Corey Howard, who gave out hugs, said she has found support for the LGBT community in Provo.

"Some are surprised there is a Provo Pride Festival," she told The Tribune. "It's kind of well-known as the conservative center of Utah.

"People assume they don't support LGBT, but we found that might not necessarily be true. There is a misunderstanding that Provo is all right wing. There are silent, less vocal groups, but they are here," Howard added.

Bridey Jensen of the Brigham Young University group Understanding Same Gender Attraction said it was important to be part of the event and to celebrate.

"A lot of people still think BYU and Provo are homophobic and hateful. That's not true," Jensen said.

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September 22, 2013