Utah Pride events to focus on rights

To WordPerfect co-founder Bruce Bastian, this weekend's Utah Pride activities will serve two purposes — a celebration of diversity and a chance to rally voters in support of gay and lesbian rights.

Bastian, grand marshal of the festival themed "Come Out, Come Out Wherever You Are," says he'll use his position to speak out against a proposal to amend the state's constitution to ban same-sex marriage.

"It's very hateful. It goes way, way beyond defining marriage," Bastian said, referring to the amendment's second part, which would also forbid recognition of relationships such as civil unions. "It's basically, in my opinion, aimed at making gays and lesbians second-class citizens."

More than 40,000 people are expected attend this weekend's Utah Pride activities, said Erin Litvack, fund development director for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Utah, which hosts the annual event. She said attendance could top last year's of 50,000, which was the largest ever.

There will be 60 to 75 entries in Sunday's parade, and the Pride Day festival will feature about 100 exhibitor booths, two music stages, a political stage and children's activities. In addition to Sunday's parade and festival, there will be activities such as a "dyke march" and pride dance on Saturday, Litvack said.

The festivities will also be used as a political rallying point for the Don't Amend Alliance, which is working to stop the passage of a state constitutional amendment this November. The alliance will have a booth at the festival, and campaign volunteers will mingle with the crowds.

"I think, it being such a hot button political year, you're going to see a little bit more discussion and conversation about what's going on, not only on a state level, but on a federal level," Litvack said. "There's a real positive energy we're hoping to generate at Pride."

Gayle Ruzicka, president of Utah Eagle Forum, is creating a campaign in favor of the amendment. Ruzicka said rather than protest Pride Day, she'll "leave them alone and let them do their own thing."

"I think it's appalling; it's a terrible thing to do to our young people, to allow that celebration of immorality," she said. "We have the responsibility as parents to teach (our children) what's right."

Litvack said protesters always show up at the festival, but she's not concerned about the proposed amendment drawing more protest than usual this year.

"It's not about them," she said. "It's about this community having a great day."

---

E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com