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SALT LAKE CITY — The Clearfield mother beamed as she rushed across the parade route and over to the microphone.
"It's loving my son for who he was born to be," Deena Cuda told the crowd lining 200 South on Sunday.
In between colorful floats and marching groups in the 2015 Utah Pride Festival Parade, spectators shared their answers to this year's theme, "Pride is ___," with a blank space left for Utahns to answer the question for themselves. The annual rainbow-painted celebration of LGBT lifestyles comes on the backdrop of legalization of same-sex marriage in the state, Utah's newly passed nondiscrimination law and efforts to balance the civil rights of all with religious liberty for all.
But for Cuda, the focus Sunday was only on her son. They said after years of slow and painful self-discovery beginning in his early teens, this is the first time the soft-spoken man and his family have attended the Pride Festival.
"I'm just happy that I'm here with the people I care about and who care about me, I'm glad I didn't have to come by myself," said Kegan Tyler, his eyes highlighted by purple eyeshadow his mother helped him apply. "At this point, I feel like there's nothing about myself that I want to change about myself anymore. After eight years of dealing with it, I'm finally at a place where I'm happy and I feel like I'm accepted."
It has taken years for the family to get where they are, Cuda said, noting that the vibrant, crowded parade route is far from the isolation and secrecy they had initially found themselves in.
"I just wanted to experience the LGBT community, because it's kind of non-existent up there in Clearfield, and I just want education. I want to educate myself, I want to support my son, and I want to support everyone here," Cuda said.
As in past years, participants from advocacy organizations like Equality Utah, the Human Rights Campaign and Parents and Families of Lesbians & Gays, joined local political candidates and a number of businesses. While many entries focused on family and acceptance, a token amount representing area bars featured scantily clad dancers and party themes.
About 35,000 people met downtown at the parade, either as participants or spectators, organizers reported. In all, the parade featured 154 entries including 30 floats.
Laura Seitz/Deseret News
Dozens of marchers who identify themselves as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints supporting the LGBT community — including Mormons Building Bridges, Mormons for Equality and Affirmation — have also become anticipated entries in the parade.
"We're a little expected," said Corey Howard, a steering committee member with Mormons Building Bridges. "I'm sure they are really happy to see we're still here, that it wasn't just one time and then see you later."
Wearing matching teal shirts and pushing a double stroller, Murray residents Cameron Nichols and Blake Hoopes marched in the parade with their 3- and 4-year-old sons. The family walked with others from CHG Healthcare, where Nichols works.
Both men have attended the Pride Festival for several years. The difference now, Nichols said, is an added measure of hope and openness that has come with the past year's changes.
"It's going to sound weird, but it feels more open and light than it has in the past," Nichols said.
Hoopes believes the enthusiasm is spreading across the country.
"It's fun to come out and feel comfortable to be out in public with our kids, holding hands, and feel accepted," Hoopes said. "I think the vibe across the country for LBGT people and their allies is one of happiness and excitement. We're ready for the Supreme Court to rule and to move on with our lives."
