Qmmunity

Equality Utah to host annual PAC Brunch fundraiser

Equality Utah is asking you to join them Saturday Morning March 12th for what they call an unforgettable brunch experience filled with amazing people and delicious food and drinks. “The power to our PAC started 21 years ago when a group of community leaders formed the Equality Utah Political Action Committee to elect pro-equality candidates in every corner of the state,” they said in a statement.

The keynote speaker will be Shannon Minter.

“With our origins of power in mind, we could think of no better speaker to share our morning with than Shannon Minter an LGBTQ legend and civil rights hero. Lawyer, Legal Director for NCLR, and Founder of The Born Perfect Movement. Shannon led efforts across the country to ban conversion therapy, saving tens of thousands of LGBTQ lives. In every political victory we have had from banning conversion therapy to overturning ‘No Promo Homo’, Shannon has been a powerful force. We think it’s time you got to know him better,” they continued.

The morning will also include music from the powerful local sensation MACK, who comes to knockdown the house with her innate vocal gifts that are sure to leave us all inspired. A powerful morning for an even more powerful cause, get your tickets now and support us in electing pro-equality candidates across the state.

Tickets are $125 to $2,000 at equalityutah.org/pac-brunch

Davis County Pride

The first LGBTQ+ pride parade and rally in Davis County will be held in Layton, Utah on April 23. Volunteers can sign up by clicking here.

The group is planning a youth choir to sing “Seize the Day” to kick off the event. Youth interested are asked to register here.

Justin Utley responds to Brad Wilcox’s ‘apology’

“So, race and priesthood weren’t the only offensive and problematic parts of your sermon, Brad. Still, overall, no matter how cringe, what you said is supported by #Mormon doctrine, Mormon history, and sermons given by other Mormon prophets/apostles.

I CAN relate, however, to the segment where you said “if you leave you lose everything.” I was raised in the LDS church. Devout. Served on Seminary and Institute councils. I served a mission, went through conversion (exgay) therapy at the behest of my bishop and LDS Family Services. I did everything I could do to stay devout. But it wasn’t enough. It wasn’t sustainable or realistic.

In desperation, I left to forge my own path. And you were absolutely right. I did indeed lose everything: I was shunned by members. I was ridiculed and humiliated by bishops and stake presidents. Blacklisted. I lost my purpose. My support system. My dignity. My identity. My friendships. My relationships. Opportunities. And it almost cost me my life.

But you know what? In losing everything I was told, taught, and promised, I gained so much more. I learned true self-respect. My world view expanded. My empathy and compassion for others grew by leaps and bounds, without ulterior motives. I was free of the shackles of cognitive dissonance and confirmation bias. I came to know a god that I’d never known or couldn’t have ever known before

Had I not stepped away, and lost “everything”, I wouldn’t have gained everything. I wouldn’t be alive. I wouldn’t be thriving. I wouldn’t know true happiness. I wouldn’t have had the incredible experiences and gained the powerful perspectives I now have as a result of being an “outsider” in a truly amazing world of possibilities. The horizon is so much bigger and so much more beautiful than I ever imagined before.