LGBTQ Pride March happens in Hildale/Colorado City

About 30 people participated in an LGBTQ Pride march in Short Creek, an area on the Utah/Arizona border known for polygamy which has historically been controlled by leaders of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The group was originally accepted to march in Short Creek’s Fourth of July parade. “Parade organizers began getting threatened and decided it would be best that the LGBTQ+ community members not participate in the parade,” organizers wrote in a statement. “Instead, LGBTQ+ members decided to create a Pride March and were given a permit to do so along with a police escort. Members of the LGBTQ+ community in Short Creek feel underrepresented and simply want to participate in the 4th of July celebrations like everyone else.”

The idea for a parade originated when Short Creek local Jordo Phelps posted an idea on Facebook about the LGBTQ+ community participating in the township/s July Fourth parade.

Local police and volunteer security helped escort about 30 participants through the march, which followed about a block behind the July Fourth parade.

Organizer Carol Chatwin grew up in Short Creek and said, “I did not think this would ever happen there. I’m so happy to be part of this monumental moment for Short Creek.”

“A lot of the people in the community are getting harassed, there is hate speech against them, there are threats, there’s physical violence against them, and it is really important for the community to realize its ok to be gay, lesbian, transgender, everything, like love is love,” Chatwin said.

Chatwin has since started a private Facebook group for the members and allies of the LGBTQ community in Short Creek.

To join the group, go to fb.me/carol. chatwin and ask to be added.