The National Coming Out Day Road Rally returns to Main Street Oct. 10

Recent divisive and homophobic comments made by city, state, and religious leaders in Utah, leaders of the Utah Pride Center say, are evidence “we need to show the vulnerable and at-risk LGBTQ+ individuals in our community that they belong. We want to drown out the hate with love and celebration.”

So the organization is bringing back the Utah Pride Road Rally.

The Center will observe National Coming Out Day on Sunday, October 10th, and invites the community to decorate their vehicles, show pride and drag Main.

“Coming out can be one of the hardest things an LGBTQ+ individual can do,” organizers said in a release. “With divisive and homophobic comments coming from some city, state, and religious leaders recently, the Utah Pride Center views them as more evidence that events like the Pride Road Rally are needed to drown out hate with love, kindness and inclusion.”

“We at the Utah Pride Center work to protect and uplift the voices of Utah’s LGBTQ+ community. We hope that our lifesaving work resonates louder to our community members, than the hateful rhetoric shared by individuals who find progress in inclusivity and equity as a threat to their existence.” said Jonathan Foulk, the Center’s chief operating officer. “The Pride Road Rally is an opportunity to show our love and support and tell the broader community that we exist, we are here, and we’re proud of who we are.”

The idea for the Pride Road Rally started last year when COVID-19 forced the Utah Pride Center to cancel its annual Pride Festival and Parade. After witnessing the turnout last year, the Center decided to make the Pride Road Rally an annual event.

Over 2,000 people in their cars, bikes, trucks, and buses showed up on National Coming Out Day in 2020 and organizers expect a larger turnout in 2021. As the pandemic continues to be a health risk, the Center wants to again provide the community with a COVID-safe event.

The event not only allows the community to show pride, organizers say, but it also brings in much needed funding to continue the lifesaving services at the Utah Pride Center, including mental health and wellness services, education and training, a safe community space, suicide prevention resources, senior programs and more.

Like last year, partipipants will sign up as teams or individuals on the group’s website at utahpridecenter.org.

REGISTER as an individual or team.

FUNDRAISE by having friends and family sponsor you on a page you create on the website. Set a goal of $500, $1,000, $2,000, $3,000 or $5,000 and earn a car ribbon once you reach your goal

DECORATE your car, bike, RV, etc. as fabulous or simpleas you’d like

RENDEZVOUS by meeting at one of nine locations across the Wasatch Front on Sunday morning at 11 a.m. You’ll then follow a pace car as it heads to theRally.

DRAG MAIN STREET and become the parade as you circle the three-mile route for two hours. There will be three Pride Spots on Main Street between 800 South and 2000 South, six drag queen/king stages, seven cheer stations, and a drive-thru pit stop for photos.

The Center has a goal to raise $150,000 to help keep the doors open.

Registration starts at $15 to participate as a bike, scooter or motorcycle; $25 as a car; or $50 as an RV, car and trailer, bus, etc. Families or friends can also participate in a “pack” of four to 10 vehicles.

For those who cannot attend, the event will be streamed online at no cost.

For a short video of last year’s event, see youtu.be/eHVTRM9DM8c

For more information and to sign up, go to utahpridecenter.org