Equality Utah will meet with delegates at the Utah GOP Convention

Over the past several years our political climate is growing increasingly polarized. We are in a moment when it is becoming more difficult to engage across the aisle and find common ground with our neighbors. The chasm between “us” and “them” only seems to be widening. The culture wars are being stoked and the fires they produce threaten not only to harm LGBTQ Americans, but also the strength and wellbeing of our democracy.

Things need to change. We need to be the change.

Today, Equality Utah will have a booth at the Utah State GOP Convention. Our intent is to engage with delegates and share our lives. And perhaps, maybe even discover common ground. Sure, it would be easier to preach to the choir. Our challenge is to be brave and curious with those who don’t know our community, who have genuine questions, and are perhaps even suspicious.

Yes, we know Governor Ron DeSenatis is the keynote speaker. We have been deeply disturbed by the legislation that has been introduced in Florida that aggressively targets LGBTQ people. Many of the measures that he has supported have been frightening to our community. Many fear that these harsh measures will be exported to Utah.

So we must engage. We have been successful at advancing LGBTQ equality in our state because of our capacity to build meaningful relationships with people from all sides of the political spectrum. We won’t stop now.

With DeSantis as the keynote speaker, we felt an even greater urgency to attend the convention and meet delegates in respectful dialogue. In any conflict, the easy path is to turn away from each other — to point fingers and condemn the other side. We believe now, more than ever, that we need to turn toward our fellow Utahns and talk. We are pulling a seat up to the table to make sure we are part of the conversation that directly impacts our families.

At the end of the day, there are many values that we all share. We want the freedom to live in peace, and have the opportunity to live, work, love, and if we desire, build a family. It’s the American Dream, and we want to make it real for every LGBTQ Utahn. That is the message that we will be sharing with GOP delegates today.

We are walking in with open hearts andoutstretched hands.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Troy Williams
Executive Director, Equality Utah
350 E 400 S #305
Salt Lake City, UT 84111