The 14th Annual Utah Pride Interfaith Coalition’s Interfaith service kicked off the 2015 Utah Pride Festival. Held at First Baptist Church of Salt Lake City, but hosted by the Community of Christ, it took place Thursday, June 4, 2015 at 7pm. This was the first year that service was not hosted at the host’s facilities. Part of this reason was due to the small space at the Community of Christ, not able to accommodate 300 or more people.
With the singing of the Buddhist singing bowl, the service opened and the faith leaders processed in. Russel Baker-Gorringe informed everyone that he would be retiring from the leadership as head of the coalition. An enthusiastic speech by Troy Williams, executive director of Equality Utah got everyone excited about the recent changes to the state with the recent passage of the anti discrimination bill. Some great music was sun in praise of the divine, a ritual for the honored dead of the LGBT community was performed, and $1200 raised for QSAs (Queer Student Unions) around the state of Utah thanks to a heartfelt and passionate awareness raising talk by Miguel Gallegos who works with local QSA groups in schools. Light refreshments were provided afterwards and guest and faith leaders mingled.
Utah Pride Festival 2015, Utah Pride Interfaith Coalition 14th Annual Interfaith Service Muad’Dib (l) and Woman Between the Wolves before service Thursday, June 4, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, Utah Pride Interfaith Coalition 14th Annual Interfaith Service, faith leaders before service, Thursday, June 4, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, Utah Pride Interfaith Coalition 14th Annual Interfaith Service, faith leaders entering chapel of First Baptist Church of Salt Lake City,Thursday, June 4, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, Utah Pride Interfaith Coalition 14th Annual Interfaith Servicem First Baptist Church of Salt Lake City opening ritual with Rev. Christopher “Myoshin” Lobow, Zen Buddhist Monk and singing bowl (center) and Maureen Duffy-Boose (r), Thursday, June 4, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, Utah Pride Interfaith Coalition 14th Annual Interfaith Service l to r- Rev. Christine Swientek (2nd from left, Metaphysical), Mahan Singh Khalsa (Sikh), Angela Elsayed (Muslim), Woman Between the Wolves (Pagan), Rev. Patty Willis (Unitarian), Rev. Steve Klemz (Christian), Rabbi Ilana Schwartzman (Jewish), Thursday, June 4, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, Utah Pride Interfaith Coalition 14th Annual Interfaith Service, Russell Baker- Gorringe (podium) Thursday, June 4, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, Utah Pride Interfaith Coalition 14th Annual Interfaith Service, Rev. Curtis Price (Pastor of First Baptist Church of Salt Lake City) singing “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen, Thursday, June 4, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, Utah Pride Interfaith Coalition 14th Annual Interfaith Service. Troy Williams-Executive Director of Equality Utah, (podium), deaf interpreter below, Thursday, June 4, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, Utah Pride Interfaith Coalition 14th Annual Interfaith Service, Rabbi Ilana Schwartzman (Rabbi of Congregation Kol Ami), Thursday, June 4, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, Utah Pride Interfaith Coalition 14th Annual Interfaith Service, Rev. Curtis Price (l) and Maureen Duffy-Boose performing the Ritual of Remembrance for all the honored dead of the LGBT community, Thursday, June 4, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, Utah Pride Interfaith Coalition 14th Annual Interfaith Service, Miguel Gallegos (podium), deaf interpreter below, Thursday, June 4, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, Utah Pride Interfaith Coalition 14th Annual Interfaith Service, Rev. Tom Goldsmith (First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City) giving prayer for the offerings of donations, Thursday, June 4, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, Utah Pride Interfaith Coalition 14th Annual Interfaith Service, Pride Pipers coming in to lead the recessional of faith leaders, Thursday, June 4, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Leave a Reply