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SALT LAKE CITY — October 11 is National Coming Out Day; and to celebrate, the Utah Pride Center held a Road Rally Show that started in Ogden, stopped at 14 "rendezvous sites" and ended in Park City.
The first site was at Young Ford of Ogden where participants met up in their cars at 9 a.m. to begin their journey along the Wasatch Front. The event complied with COVID-19 restrictions to accomplish their mission of bringing together the LGBTQ+ communities, allies and supporters in a safe way.
Several staff members at the pride center spoke in a video stream for the rally about why they believe offering support for members of the LGBTQ+ community is so important. The rally stopped in multiple locations throughout Utah to voice that same message of inclusion and support throughout the state.
"I'm in a really good place with my identity and my journey. I want to help others get there and see that hope and continue living their life because we need them," said Katie Perkins, director of Suicide Prevention at the Utah Pride Center.
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall raised a Pride flag at the city-county building in Salt Lake City Friday in preparation for weekend event.
"Here’s to living life authentically, compassionately, fully, and courageously," Mendenhall tweeted.
Team members waited at each site to greet participants with everything from rainbow flags, a truck filled with cowboys and a unicorn.
"Everybody is happy, everybody is here having a good time," said Mona Stevens stationed at Highland High School in Salt Lake City.
Multiple speakers and guests commentated on the live video, praising the importance of support and acceptance within the Utah LGBTQ+ community.
