Gary Watts, of Family Fellowship and P-Flag, lights a candle

Salt Lake Men's Choir

Picketers

On the eve of Pride Day, some 300 people gathered at the Cathedral Church of St. Mark in Salt Lake City for an interfaith service. The event, called “A Celebration of Hope and Healing,” was planned and carried out by gay and lesbian members of several religious traditions, including Jewish, Mormon, Catholic, and Protestant.

During the service, eight candles were lighted, representing the pains and hopes of the GLBT community. The service included readings from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and LDS scripture. The New Testament reading was a passage from the book of John in which Jesus commands Lazarus to “come out” (of the tomb). The homily was given by the Rev. Lee Shaw, of the Episcopal Church.

The Salt Lake City Men’s Choir, under the direction of Lane Cheney, provided some of the musical selections. An offering was taken during the service to benefit the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah. After the service, the attendees gathered for refreshments in the social hall, where several of Utah’s faith-based gay and lesbian groups had tables with literature.

One of the most impressive expressions of gay and lesbian spirituality in Utah history, the event also incited hatred and bigotry. During the service, some 10 religious fanatics picketed on the sidewalk, yelling epithets such as “dyke” and “faggot” to those entering the Cathedral.