01/06/2009
Equality Activists Seek Arch Support to Get Message Out in Utah
Gay Utahns will rally in Moab, Utah at Arches National Park at the park's well-known 'Delicate Arch' on Saturday at 1 pm to show support for Equality Utah's Common Ground Initiative, reports the Salt Lake Tribune:
"The effort is a collection of five bills, aimed at the upcoming legislative session, that would provide legal protections to same-sex couples, such as hospital visitation and inheritance rights, and forbid discrimination against gay and transgender people in employment and housing. Equality Utah also is lobbying leaders to extend health-insurance benefits to the domestic partners of state employees. Delicate Arch is 'an important symbol for all Utahns,' said organizer Michael Mueller, founder of the Facebook community Utahns for Marriage Equality. 'We're all Utahns first -- gay, straight, whatever.' ... Speakers will include Salt Lake City Democratic Rep. Christine Johnson, who is sponsoring a Common Ground bill; Claudia Bradshaw, founder of the St. George chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays); and Matthew Landis, a Salt Lake City hairstylist and activist."
The Park Service has issued a permit for the rally (allowing signs and banners but not bullhorns) and say though it's not unprecedented to have one in the park, they haven't issued a permit in a couple years.
Since this rally is obviously symbolic and not accessible to large numbers of people, I hope they'll send us some photos.
Info about the march, directions, etc, AFTER THE JUMP...
Previously
Equality Utah Calls Bluff of Mormon Church on Gay Rights [tr]
Thousands Protest Prop 8 Passage at LDS Temple in Salt Lake City [tr]
A rally in support of legal protections for gay couples
Saturday, 1 p.m.
Delicate Arch viewpoint in Arches National Park near Moab
Carpool from Salt Lake City: Meet at 7 a.m. at the Utah Pride Center, 361 N. 300 West
R.S.V.P., or for more info » marchforequality09@gmail.com
Posted 8:17 AM EST by Andy Towle in Gay Rights, News, Utah | Permalink
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I made the hike to the base of Delicate Arch a couple of years ago with my folks. Dad had one replaced knee and needs the other done and mom is afraid of heights. In their 70's they said they might never get another chance. Near the top a section puts you on a ledge that scared mom to death, but she hid her eyes and trusted me to lead her across. The trail back down was hardest for dad, but I don't think any of us regret the climb. I had not been out long and their mormon beliefs still makes it hard for them to understand me, but that trip is one of many examples of their unfailing support and unqualified love. 2008 saw the collapse of one of the stone arches in the national monument. Delicate Arch is a potent symbol of our struggle and an appropriate metaphor for the slow patient work that wears through stone.
Posted by: Rikard | Jan 6, 2009 11:05:31 AM
Arches is beautiful as is Moab (and by Utah standards it's really liberal) but could they have picked a less accessible place to do this?
Posted by: db | Jan 6, 2009 11:38:05 AM