The New York City police raid on the Stonewall Inn, located on Christopher Street, on June 28, 1969, ignited a nationwide movement for LGBTQ+ advocacy and visibility. In Utah, this spark has led to more than 50 years of Pride celebrations and gatherings, rooted in a call to commemorate the Christopher Street rebellion protesting the raids.
Utah Pride celebrations took many forms throughout the years, with one of the first commemorations happening five years after Stonewall. In 1974, a gathering on the shore of the Great Salt Lake hosted by the owner of the Sun Tavern, Utah’s first openly gay bar, brought more than 200 gay men and women together.
Crowd Gathering on Utah Capitol Steps for First Utah Pride March, Utah Historical Society, ID no. 2557941.
In 1990, Utah’s first Pride march took place on the 21st anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. Approximately 270 people marched from the State Capitol to South Temple and West Temple, coinciding with a Pride Festival at the Northwest Community Center.
The following year, the Gay and Lesbian Community Council of Utah established the Utah Stonewall Center, now known as the Utah Pride Center. Its mission was to provide a safe and supportive meeting space for the LGBTQ+ community along the Wasatch Front. The center served as a hub for support and social groups, youth activities, book clubs, HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention programs.
In 2024, the Pride Center reported that more than 12,000 people marched in the parade while 100,000+ spectators showed their support along the two-mile stretch. In addition to the parade, the Utah Pride Festival included performances, vendors, and activities, providing a meaningful gathering space for the community.
Today, the Utah Pride Center continues to provide services, programs, and social events with the mission of uniting, empowering, and celebrating Utah’s LGBTQ+ community.
Please note: Content from outside organizations may not reflect the views of the Utah Historical Society.
Further Reading:
https://guides.loc.gov/lgbtq-studies/stonewall-era
https://www.qsaltlake.com/news/2013/05/24/history-of-pride/
https://community.utah.gov/salt-lake-citys-lgbtq-communities-and-the-west-side/
Sources:
- https://guides.loc.gov/lgbtq-studies/stonewall-era
- https://collections.lib.utah.edu/details?id=2589356&q=stonewall+center&facet_setname_s=dha_%2A
- https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:80444/xv19549
- https://utahpridecenter.org/about/history
- https://www.abc4.com/news/wasatch-front/thousands-celebrate-lgbtq-pride-at-salt-lake-parade-festival/