SLPS had an amazing time at the 2015 Utah Pride Festival June 4-7, 2015. The Society got in gear by changing up its logos for Pride month, celebrating the diversity of all individuals. Some new swag with the new rainbow logo got the members in the mood and excited about reading tarot and palm at the festival.
Saturday, June 6, 2015, brought the opening at 3pm. A steady line of folks popping in to take advantage of the $10 readings and free buttons and books wasn’t deterred by the heavy but brief storm and hail that passed over the festivities around 5pm. The Merqueen Lei Loni Tilley from the Mermaid of the Great Salt Lake was seen in full tail giving mermaid readings at the booth and around the festival grounds at the fountains.
Sunday, June 7, 2015 SLPS paraded down 200 S with the interfaith section of the parade in front of the big rainbow flag. Sikhs were spotted at the begging the route at 400 E and 200 S, offering “Take a pic with a Sikh”and free Pepsi drinks. With cheers and kisses and hearts overflowing, the crowd was overjoyed to see Pagans and mermaids taking up the rear. President Muad’Dib, in rainbow robe and pointy hat (made for him for the 2014 festival by Woman Between the Wolves), was so liked by the crowd, he yelled to the people “I’m the wizard at the end of the rainbow!” Back at the festival after the parade, members sported the new pride shirts. Swells of people descended on the booth, asked for information on Paganism and took all the free books Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions by River and Joyce Higginbotham on the information table. adorned with Herne, being given away by SLPS (much like free Bibles). A few skeptics rolled by, but they were dragged in and converted to believers!
This year was its best year yet for SLPS! Many people took away needed spiritual advice, friendship, love and magic after each reading. Many expressed their gratitude to having the Pagan presence and knowing that there are Pagans who believe in LGBT rights, equality, equity, and fairness for all peoples.
Utah Pride Festival 2015, SLPS booth Woman Between the Wolves (l) and Tanya Thorton, Saturday, June 6, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, SLPS booth l to r- Nikki Pitt, Shy Fox, and the mermaid Leil Loni Tilley of the Mermaids of the Great Salt Lake, Saturday, June 6, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, l to r- Shy Fox (glasses), Chris Newhart (standing) and Woman Between the Wolves (wizard hat), Tanya Thorton, Jackie Lit, and a client, Saturday, June 6, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, view from the booth of the festival looking east to the City Building, Mermaid Queen Lei Loni Tilley of the Mermaids of the Great Salt Lake (l) and Nikki Pitt, Saturday, June 6, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, Pride Parade, unrolling of flag 400 E 400 S, Sunday June 7, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, Pride Parade, Pride Pipers 400 E 400 S, Sunday June 7, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, Pride Parade, SLPS lined up to march with the interfaith section, l to r Nikki Pitt, Mermaid Lei Loni Tilely of the Mermadis of the Great Salt Lake, Shy Fox, Woman Between the Wolves, and Muad’Dib, Sunday June 7, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, Pride Parade with Shy Fox (l) and Woman Between the Wolves holding SLPS Banner, Sunday June 7, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, Pride Parade, Muad’Dib, Sunday June 7, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, Pride Parade, “Take a pic with a Sikh” along parade route 400 E and 200 S, Sunday June 7, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, Pride Parade, protesters along 200 S, Sunday June 7, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, Pride Parade, parade and crowd, looking west on 300 E and 200 S Sunday June 7, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, Pride Parade, Grannies for Gays riding in cars in front of flag, Sunday June 7, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, Pride Parade, festival attendees in the south east quadrant, Sunday June 7, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Pride Festival 2015, Pride Parade, Muad’Dib (black hat) giving a reading, Sunday June 7, 2015, Salt Lake City, UT