Gay-rights advocate says goodbye to Utah

Gay-rights advocates raised their glasses Wednesday and said goodbye to a "champion" of equal rights in Utah.

Surrounded by activists, politicians and friends, Mike Thompson, the outgoing executive director of Equality Utah, spoke of the changes he has seen during his time in the state — and the changes he expects to see in the years to come.

"We are going to get to a fair and just Utah," he said. "Just stay with us."

Thompson had announced his resignation earlier this month, saying he plans to resume working as a nonprofit consultant in San Francisco.

Equality Utah hired Thompson to captain the gay-rights group in summer 2005, after he had spent the previous legislative session fundraising for the fight against Amendment 3.

Since then, he has been one of the biggest names in the fight for gay rights in Utah.

On Tuesday, the Salt Lake City Council honored Thompson, calling him "a champion for the rights and protections of all Utah citizens and their families."

Thompson worked with the city on a number of projects, including the Human Rights Commission, the mutual-commitment registry and the adult-designee ordinance.

"We really do wish you the very, very best," said Councilman JT Martin. "There will be a huge hole in Salt Lake City and Utah with you leaving."

During his tenure with Equality Utah, Thompson has seen a small staff double and the number of endorsed candidates in office jump from five to 37.

He's also seen a "marginalized" community rally behind a legislative package unparalleled in the history of the state.

After watching California voters pass Proposition 8, Thompson and his staff crafted the Common Ground Initiative, a package of bills aimed at securing hospital visitation, fair housing and employment and probate rights in Utah.

None of the bills made it out of legislative committee, but Thompson called the effort a success.

"We knew it would take some time," he said. "The very fact that these bill were heard in committee, that's progress ... I have confidence in the people of Utah. They know at a very gut level what is the right thing to do when building a community — to take care of all within that community. Our laws should reflect that."

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