ST. GEORGE – In celebration of the recent Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, a gay pride event was held at Bluff Street Park in St. George Friday evening.
People and even their pets were bedecked in rainbow colors to show solidarity for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Face painters were also on hand at the event, decorating faces with the rainbow flag.
“When the Supreme Court ruled, y’know, last Friday, everybody was texting, ‘What’s going on? Who’s going to put something together?’” Linda Stay, a local LGBT activist, said. “And I said, ‘Hey, you know what? I have cancer. I have to have chemo. I can’t do it.’ And these two high school girls said, ‘Hey, let’s do it next Friday at the park.’ And (it’s) the first-ever St. George official kind of pride gathering, and it’s because of them.”
The two teens who organized the event, who asked that their names be withheld, said there was such an overwhelming response to their invitation that the event had to be turned into a potluck to accommodate the number of people who confirmed they would be attending. So, community members came to the park, despite wet weather, with food, treats and bright smiles to gather in celebration and unity.
Gay pride buttons, sponsored by Equality Utah, were passed out to attendees in honor of the event and to commemorate the the Supreme Court’s ruling.
“It’s historic, and it’s exciting, and it’s a celebration of love – love for all,” Stay said.
Videocast by St. George News videographer Sheldon Demke
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*lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender “community”
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I would always put that in quotes– just sayin…
“The two teens who organized the event, who asked that their names be withheld…”
Hmm, maybe they’re less proud of the event than they want us to think?
Or maybe they just don’t want the many many bigots that live around here that use their “religion” as an excuse to do harm to know who they are. Just sayin’
Really???? Oh my gosh, why so many parades? Is the “love” version of the kkk except with rainbow hoods?
Hey ya’ll. Like ya know,this story sounds like. Ya know. Like it was written by a teen like . Ya know. With like with a limited vocabulary, like ya know.
Everybody needs to be noticed right?
The next time one of these young ladies pass the hat for a donation, reach into your pocket for a nickle (and/or) a road apple if one is available. Don’t forget to pat them on the head.
This is awesome. Keep up the good work girls. 🙂
You people should be really proud of yourselves for your continued taunting and spitefulness. I’m sure your God is smiling down on you right now saying, “Way to go.” You are exactly the reason the young women didn’t given their names. Nobody deserves this kind of mean-spirited treatment, but just when it seems the ugliness is as bad as it can get, you all come up with more. Do you prefer stories about the high school kids around St. George who are drinking, drugging and driving?
It’s just sour grapes because they’re losing their grip on our society. Wait till the tax man gets ahold of them, they’ll look like Ned Beatty in Deliverance.
kinda reminds me of a white pride rally… always some sort of agenda..
I sometimes wonder if the SGN isn’t publishing stories like this – which is really not a news story – just to keep the stirring the pot in St. George. It was, after all, just a party – keep moving folks, nothing to see. Step up your game, SGN.