| Show Not just somewhere over the rainbow Melissa Melissa Martin i Contributing Writer Openly gay lesbian bisexual and are looking at a am amore amore m more re liberal Utah and they like lil what they see Utah tah is considered by bym m many r y a very conservative slate state This conservative v view w of Utah is shared by some but not all The g gay y lesbian bisexual straight and ands questioning club Coloring Outside the Lines and the Utah fah Pride Center both feel life in Salt Lake is making a aI I liberal eral turn for the better It It is getting better At l least ast in parts of Utah Its It's definitely a slow process but there have been good changes over the years s said id Laura Gilson the pr president of Coloring Outside the Lines Earlier in January TheS The S Salt t Lake Tribune ran an article about a lesbian couples couple's plight The article 0 was was about their love and their fight for life itself The article made the front page and it was followed with a picture of the two women embracing It has only been in recent years that stories and pictures such as this depicting gays and lesbians in what is the most basic human emotion love have been anywhere near the front page People in Utah just expected the bill banning gay marriages to pass but there was actually a pretty large number that voted no said Gilson Almost 40 percent of voted no to the bill To Gilson this showed that there are many in Utah that support the community gay lesbian bisexual and Although the laws for gays and lesbians arc are no more liberal at the moment 40 percent of voters in Utah areAt are arc At the Annual Utah Pride Festival in June of last year we had over people said Nathan head of public relations at the Utah Pride Center To have an event that size in Utah was a huge accomplishment to The fact that we have an audience for another festival is a big deal refers to the upcoming Winter Pride Festival Events like these are helping said Gilson They are making it more public The 10 Gay Days Winter Pride Festival goes from Feb 9 through 18 This year the festival will include many activities including a conference where the community will discuss many topics such as gender issues an and public policy To find out more visit the Winter Pride web site There is something for everyone at this festival said He also welcomes all members of the community gay or straight Anybody who considers themselves an anally anally anally ally to the gay and lesbian community is welcome Although there is much change going on in and around Salt Lake City the community still faces many challenges Change is always hard said Gilson We want acceptance Just to tobe tobe tobe be able to hold hands show public displays of affection Simple actions that others take for granted are something gays and lesbians are not privy to This is for many reasons Gilson explains one being their safety Coloring Outside the Lines meets every Wednesday at 7 pm p.m. at the Redwood Campus The club discuses issues facing the community and also reaches out to other communities through volunteer work The club has a resource room located in the Student Event Center where there are books and videos on related topics To reach Gilson or to find out more about the club and meetings mail e-mail her at coloring outside |
