Texts show St. George rep among other lawmakers who complained to UTA about Pride bus

At least four Republican state lawmakers pushed the Utah Transit Authority to remove rainbow livery from a Pride-themed bus days before the bus was pulled from the Utah Pride Parade, location and date unspecified | Photo courtesy Utah Transit Authority via Twitter, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — At least four Republican state lawmakers pushed the Utah Transit Authority to remove rainbow livery from a Pride-themed bus days before the bus was pulled from the Utah Pride Parade, according to texts obtained Tuesday by KSL.com.

Backlash against the bus began on May 31, after the UTA tweeted a photo of the pride bus along with the message: “We are grateful for our LGBTQ+ riders and employees and look forward to celebrating Pride with you all month long.”

Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton, retweeted the post, saying, “Why is @RideUTA using tax dollars on this? Also Quasi-State agencies must remain apolitical.” Lee has previously used a private Twitter account to mock members of the LGBTQ community, including using an anti-transgender slur he later said he “had no clue” was “so disparaging.”

KSL.com obtained text messages from four of the lawmakers: House Majority Leader Mike Schultz, R-Hooper; Rep. Candice Pierucci, R-Herriman; Rep. Kay Christofferson, R-Lehi; and Rep. Colin Jack, R-St. George.

Read the full story here:  KSL News.

Written by Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com.

Copyright KSL.com.

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